On a day of standout waves, Flynn Novak stood the tallest.

Novak won the Macy's E-Series men's professional surfing contest yesterday at Ala Moana Bowls. It was the first victory of his professional career.

"The waves were so good, I just wanted to keep surfing," said Novak, 25. "I wasn't even thinking about winning, or the money, or the points, or anything like that. Just to be out there surfing on a day like this was a treat."

Waves were in the 3- to 5-foot range, and in perfect shape.

The surfers were up to the challenge, and scores of 8s, 9s and even perfect 10s were handed out consistently throughout the day.

"Every single heat was like a final in itself," Novak said. "I was nervous the whole time."

Novak was born and raised on O'ahu's North Shore, and said he rarely ventures to Ala Moana for practice sessions. He said the crowded waves at Bowls are also a reason for him to stay away.

"If this were a normal day with everybody out, it would be impossible for me to catch any waves," he said. "So I wanted to keep going just to take advantage of it."

At 6 feet 2, Novak was one of the tallest surfers in the contest. Still, he was able to consistently tuck his frame into several of the barreling waves.

Midway through the 30-minute final, Novak received a 9.1 for a long barrel ride. Moments later, he clinched the victory with a score of 7.75 for another barrel.

"I've never surfed waves this good in a contest, except maybe at Pipeline," Novak said. "I knew if I could make it through a couple of those drainers, it would give me an edge."

His two-wave total of 16.85 was enough to earn the $2,500 first-place check.

David Gonsalves of Honolulu placed second with a two-wave score of 15.0. Jason Shibata of Pearl City was third, and Kaipo Jaquias of Kaua'i was fourth.

Gonsalves and Jaquias are both 36, and they were the oldest surfers in the field. Gonsalves has a teenage daughter who is a successful amateur surfer, and Jaquias has a teenage son who is a soon-to-be professional.

"We're probably the heaviest guys, too, besides being the oldest," Gonsalves said with a laugh.

Jaquias said: "My son wants to surf with me in a (professional) contest, so I'm still going."

Gonsalves said he practices at Ala Moana Bowls almost every day, and yesterday's conditions were "as good as it gets."

His runner-up finish was his best showing in a pro contest since he placed second at a contest in Australia in 1995.

The contest was sanctioned by the Hawai'i Region of the Association of Surfing Professionals, and the top finishers earned points toward the World Qualifying Series.

David Shipley, the head judge for the contest, said the quality of the waves and the high level of surfing made it one of the most impressive WQS contests of 2008 so far.

"I'd have to second that," Novak said.

FINAL RESULTS

1, Flynn Novak, $2,500. 2, David Gonsalves, $1,000. 3, Jason Shibata, $800. 4, Kaipo Jaquias, $700. 5 (tie), Randall Paulson and Joel Centeio, $600. 7 (tie), Kekoa Cazimero and Daniel Jones, $500. 9 (tie), Dustin Cuizon, T.J. Barron, Wesley Larsen and Evan Valiere, $400. 13 (tie), Makuakai Rothman, Edrick Baldwin Jr., Brennan Boudreau and Kekoa Bacalso, $300.

HAWAI'I SURFERS ADVANCE

Hawai'i surfers Andy Irons, Bruce Irons and Fred Patacchia Jr. advanced to the fourth round of the Billabong Pro J-Bay men's contest yesterday.

The third round and half of the fourth were run in 3- to 5-foot waves at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa. Roy Powers of Kaua'i won his third-round heat, but was eliminated in the fourth round by Australia's Bede Durbidge.

Bruce Irons will face defending world champion Mick Fanning of Australia in the fourth round.