Ezekiel Lau can finally grow his hair out.

Lau was one of several standout surfers from Hawai'i at the NSSA National Championships last week at San Clemente, Calif.

The finals were held on Saturday, and results were announced yesterday at an awards banquet. The event is considered the most prestigious contest in the country for scholastic surfers.

Hawai'i surfers combined to win seven of the 13 youth divisions.

Lau won the open juniors division for surfers age 13 to 15. Lau, 15, is a sophomore-to-be at Kamehameha Schools.

"This is my first win at nationals, so I'm stoked," Lau said. "I've been waiting for this for a long time."

Indeed, Lau has been competing at the NSSA nationals since he was 9, and he has a shaved head as proof.

Six years ago, he made a bet with his father that he would not grow his hair out until he won an NSSA national championship.

"I didn't think it would take this long," Lau said. "I'm going to grow it out long now."

Leonard Lau, Ezekiel's father, said he has been shaving his son's head every week for the past six years.

"It's kind of become like his trademark," Leonard said. "But he stuck to it. He came close to winning so many times the last couple years, so for him to finally get it ... it was emotional for us."

Ezekiel also had to overcome an injured back to win his division.

"The doctor actually told him to rest, but he said he wanted to keep going," Leonard said. "He really deserves this. He can grow his hair as long as he wants now — as long as it stays within the school regulations."

Ian Gentil of Maui and Kiron Jabour of Sunset Beach each won two titles.

Gentil won the open boys and explorer menehune divisions. In the open boys final, Gentil received two perfect 10s from the judges.

"I never even got one 10 before, so I was pretty surprised I got two," said Gentil, 13.

Jabour won the explorer men and explorer juniors divisions.

"This is my last year doing NSSA so it's a great way to go out," said Jabour, 18.

Malia Manuel of Kaua'i won the explorer women division and placed third in the open women division.

"I'm glad I get to bring home at least one title to Kaua'i," she said. "The competition is so good. A lot of the girls were ripping."

Alessa Quizon of Makaha won the explorer girls division.

"The conditions were OK for most of the days," she said. "I was hoping to make more finals, but I'm glad I got to win one."

Alex Smith of Kaua'i made three finals, placing second in the explorer men and air show, and third in the open men.

Kolohe Andino of California won three divisions, including the prestigious open men division. He is from San Clemente, but was listed as a Hawai'i competitor because he competed in the Hawai'i region during the regular season.