Even in small waves, a win is a win.

That's how T.J. Barron felt after winning the Macy's E-Series Event No. 1 men's surfing contest yesterday at Ma'ili Point.

The final day of the two-day contest was run in 1- to 2-foot waves. Around 80 surfers participated, including most of Hawai'i's top up-and-coming professionals.

"Any time you can win a contest against these guys, it brings you confidence," said Barron, 22. "And the money is nice, too."

Barron received $2,500 for the victory. The contest was part of the Association of Surfing Professionals 2008 World Qualifying Series.

It was a 1-star event — the lowest grade for a contest on the qualifying series. But Barron noted that all contest winners get their names posted on the ASP Web site, regardless of the contest's grade or wave quality.

"I just wanted to get my name on that board," he said. "Every winner stays up there for the year, so now I'm on it."

Barron was raised on O'ahu's North Shore, and still does most of his practicing in those quality waves. But he said he also likes surfing in small waves like yesterday's.

"This is good training," he said. "This is actually good conditions compared to some of the other places around the world."

Barron trailed for most of the 30-minute final heat, and took the lead on his final wave with around three minutes remaining.

He completed several precise carving maneuvers along the open section of the wave, and the judges rewarded him with a score of 8.0 (out of 10).

"I was just waiting patiently," Barron said. "You never know until the dying seconds, so I was hoping a wave like that would come in."

It was enough for Barron to edge Hale'iwa's Joel Centeio. Barron's final score for his two best waves was 12.0; Centeio's final score was 11.75.

"It was really slow out there — hard to get busy," Centeio said. "T.J. happened to get the best wave of the whole final and that sealed the deal."

Flynn Novak of O'ahu's North Shore placed third despite suffering an interference penalty midway through the final heat. Novak and Barron nearly collided while paddling for the same wave, and the judges ruled that Novak was at fault.

"It was disappointing for me," Novak said. "But I have to take full responsibility for my actions. No hard feelings at all though because that's just how competition is."

Love Hodel of O'ahu's North Shore placed fourth.

The top finishers earned points on the 2008 WQS, and got a rare chance to compete in Hawai'i during a non-winter month.

"This is good practice for us," Centeio said. "And as bad as this is, it's still better than some of the waves we get in places like Brazil."

Barron is currently ranked No. 7 on the 2008 WQS. The top 16 in the final 2008 WQS ratings will get called up to the elite World Championship Tour.

The Macy's E-Series is also sanctioned by ASP Hawai'i, and the top finishers will earn entries into the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Event No. 2 in the series is scheduled for July 8 to 16 at Ala Moana Bowls.

FINAL RESULTS

1, T.J. Barron (O'ahu), $2,500. 2, Joel Centeio (O'ahu), $1,000. 3, Flynn Novak (O'ahu), $800. 4, Love Hodel (O'ahu), $700. 5 (tie), Jason Shibata (O'ahu) and Shane Beschen (California), $600. 7 (tie), Hank Gaskell (Maui) and Chris Foster (Kaua'i), $500. 9 (tie), Kiron Jabour (O'ahu), Makuakai Rothman (O'ahu), Nathan Carroll (O'ahu), Daniel Jones (O'ahu), $400. 13 (tie), Isaac Stant (O'ahu), Evan Valiere (Kaua'i), Dylan Melamed (Kaua'i), Rainos Hayes (O'ahu), $300.