Kaua‘i surfer Sebastian Zietz dominates ‘Local Motion’ on O‘ahu

A full display of high-performance surfing took center stage on O‘ahu Tuesday, at the World Surf League’s Local Motion Surf Into Summer event at Ala Moana Bowls.

Hawai‘i and Tahiti Nui’s top regional competitors started their 2023-24 Qualifying Series season in two-to-three foot, clean swell pulsing into Ala Moana Bowls’ pristine lineup.

A dream day at Ala Moana Bowls ended with a clash of top-tier talents featuring former Championship Tour standout Sebastian Zietz of Kaua‘i, Challenger Series contender Josh Moniz, regional threat Kekoa Cazimero, and Round of 96 victor Eala Stewart.

The clash didn’t disappoint with a near-perfect, barrel-to-multiple backhand blows from Zietz as he posted the event’s top single-wave score of a 9.83 (out of a possible 10) and heat total, a near-perfect 18.00 (out of a possible 20).

A battle for the advancing spot ensued with Cazimero earning his way alongside Zietz into the Round of 32 after a last-minute exchange with Moniz.

“We were all pretty deep and they ended up boxing each other out being too deep, and I was kind of thinking if a big set came it would come wide,” said Zietz. “I played the game and saw that wave come, and just darted wide and found myself in a perfect little barrel that let me out to do a bunch of fun turns. It’s super fun, I’m not trying to qualify or anything, just enjoying time with my family and wanting to show my girls that dad can still surf.”

But, it was Mihimana Braye who put on an incredible showing, utilizing his dynamic forehand to post a dominant 16.70 heat total. The Tahitian competes out of the European region, but finished the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui season right at home with a runner-up in Rangiroa before taking to the Challenger Series. Now, Braye brings that confidence and what he’s learned to some of Hawaii/Tahiti Nui’s top-tier competitors, looking to stay busy in the jersey on his way back to Tahiti.

“I have some confidence just from training so hard and being on the Challenger Series going against guys, and trying to qualify, but the level of surfing here is so good as well,” said Braye. “I just have to stay focused on my game and keep working on what I’ve been doing since Rangiroa. This wave makes me feel at home growing up on lefthand reefs and it makes a big difference to have a QS on such a world-class wave.”