Tamaroa McComb, second place but still scores a wildcard.

Local Tahitian surfer, Taumata Puhetini has snagged the 2010 Air Tahiti Nui VonZipper Trials in solid six-foot Chopes, overcoming the world’s best barrel aficionados. It came as no surprise that the final four from today’s trials were all French polynesians; local knowledge is king out here.

Puhetini looked unstoppable in the all-Tahitian final versus fellow local, Tamaroa McComb, registering one of the highest two-wave combined wave scores of the event, 18.17.

“I have had a lot of time to watch the Billabong Pro contest as a spectator and to watch Manoa reach the final (in 2008) was great. I have spent four hours in the water training every day. Now is my chance, I am ready,” said Puhetini; Ominous words from a guy who was born and bred out here.

Both Puhetini and McComb will join seeded Tahitian wildcard, Manoa Drollet in Round one of the upcoming Billabong Pro, Tahiti main event. All three Tahitians are certain to draw the world’s highest rated surfers; Jordy Smith, Taj Burrow Kelly Slater.


Laurie head butts reef, comes off second best.

Aussie loon, Laurie Towner had more than the wave drought to contend with in his quarterfinal. During round three he faceplanted the reef, got sown up and was straight back out there to win his heat. Later in his quarterfinal he again went down, copping a fin to his head.

He was taken to the nearby Marina by jet-ski and then driven to the nearest hospital immediately after the quarterfinal, a little shaken but otherwise okay.


Laurie before his run-in with the reef.

The world’s top rated 45 surfers are expected to land in Tahiti over coming days for the Billabong Pro, Tahiti which begins August 23rd and runs to Sept 3rd.

Just four full days of competition are required to crown a champion. It’s on.

Billabongpro.com