Because the Verizon Wireless Hawaii Junior Surf Team was still in striking
distance of a gold medal the team showed enmasse throughout the day.. in
uniformŠthey were most vocal while flying the Hawaiian flag to victory along
the shore.

In the boys under 18 division Keanu Asing and Tanner Hendrickson took down
some heavy hitters like the French Junior World Champion Maxime Huscenot.
Heading into Finals Day they still have two heats to escape before making it
to the grand finale. Keanu and Tanner have been feeding off each other with
massive results, and they are peaking at the perfect time.

In the boys under 16 division, Koa Smith is the lone Hawaiian left standing,
and boldly undefeated.  Koa,is  a veteran of pressure as well as a world
class traveler.  His remaining performances on Finals Day will  play a key
factor in the final team standings.  Koa has proven himself  in years past
on similar stages and he has been looking forward to this day.  He is
definitely up to the task.

In the ladies division Malia Manuel is still undefeated.  Her next heat will
feature two undefeated Australians including last years Champion, Tyler
Wright and Felicity Palmateer. Malia thrives on competition.  She has surfed
undaunted and she has been on a mission from the moment she arrived in New
Zealand.   In the repercharge heats Alessa Quizon remains a force to be
reckoned with.  On day 7 she eliminated Courtney Conologue and Kaleigh
Gilchrest all at once in one action packed heat and Alessa continues to
strut her stuff.

The Hawaiians find themselves entering Finals Day leading the field by the
slimmest of margins (15 points) over Australia.  Compared to last year, the
figures are similar.  Once again the Hawaiians have 5 remaining surfers, and
the Australians have four undefeated riders, two of them once again being
women. Different year, different part of the world, in similar situations.

Finals Day should find these Hawaiians focused and doing what they have
since Day One. Taking things one wave at a time, treating each turn thru
every heat like it was Gold. The potential is huge especially when
considering this teams future.  They have so many years of competition still
waiting for them on what team Captain Rainos Hayes considers ³the brightest
of  horizons².