When Maui's Dusty Payne was born in 1988, the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing was already in its sixth year of existence.

The Triple Crown is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and Payne is surfing in it for the first time.

"I've seen some of my favorite surfers win the Triple Crown," said Payne, 18. "I've been watching it my whole life. I'm just happy I'm finally in it myself."

Payne is considered one of Hawai'i's rising stars in the sport, and he was up for the challenge yesterday during the Reef Hawaiian Pro — the first event in the Triple Crown series.

The second round and six heats of the third round were run yesterday in wave-face heights that ranged from 2 to 8 feet at Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach.

Payne advanced through his second-round heat with a display of futuristic surfing. Trailing late in the heat, Payne completed an aerial maneuver that received a score of 7.1 (out of 10). It was enough to push him into the third round.

"I was lucky just to get two decent waves," he said. "I'm trying to treat it like any other contest, but yeah, I know this is a big one."

Payne was not the only young surfer from Hawai'i to advance.

Chas Chidester from Sunset Beach continued his surprising run through the early rounds by advancing to the third round.

Chidester, 18, is the only surfer remaining from the "Hawai'i trials" held before the contest. Eight surfers from the trials earned spots in the contest.

"I want to do good," Chidester said. "I wouldn't say I have nothing to lose, because I want to keep going."

Another standout from Hawai'i was Mililani's Kekoa Bacalso. He had one of the top heats of the day, receiving a two-wave total of 15.33 (out of 20).

"I wasn't really practicing here, but I surfed here so many times in the past, I feel comfortable," said Bacalso, 22. "Even though the waves aren't that big, it feels good just to be home. The waves have been so bad around the world this year."

There were also a couple of surprising standouts.

Basque surfer Gony Zubizareta had the best heat of the day, receiving a two-wave score of 18.6, including a near-perfect single-wave score of 9.77.

Also, Marlon Lipke of Germany — yes, Germany — had a two-wave total of 17.73. It was the first time he won a heat in Hawai'i.

"I just came here for the experience. I'm trying to watch and learn," Lipke said. "I'm so happy things went my way."

Other Hawai'i surfers advancing yesterday included six-time former Triple Crown champ Sunny Garcia, Jason Shibata, Nathan Carroll, Daniel Jones, Granger Larsen and Ian Walsh.

Makakilo's Joel Centeio, who won the Xcel Pro contest last week at Sunset Beach, was eliminated in the third round.

World champion Mick Fanning of Australia and two-time defending Triple Crown champ Andy Irons of Kaua'i are seeded into the fourth round.

The contest could continue today, conditions permitting. For status, call 596-7873 or visit www.triplecrownofsurfing.com.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.