Kiara Goold & Finn McGill Take Top Honors at the HTA Sunset Pro
Teenage Tahitian Phenom + North Shore Powerhouse Deliver Statement Wins at an All-Time Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach turned on in a big way as the HTA Sunset Pro delivered pulsing 8–12 ft walls and heavy North Shore energy. When the spray settled, 15-year-old Tahitian standout Kiara Goold and North Shore’s own Finn McGill rose above a stacked field to claim iconic victories at this WSL QS 2,000 event.
Goold Drops a Breakout Win – Sunset Barrel + Style to Spare
The women’s Final was a showcase of Pacific talent: Moana Jones Wong, Aelan Vaast, Malia Lima, and the rising force herself, Kiara Goold.
The teen fired the opening shot with a clean outside turn straight into a legit Sunset barrel, stamping down an excellent 8.67. Jones Wong answered with an 8.10, but Goold wasn’t done—she found another dream wall and added a 7.67, locking in the women’s event-best heat total of 16.34.
Jones Wong hunted the needed 8.18 in the dying minutes but couldn’t match Goold’s rhythm and confidence. The young Tahitian now heads into the rest of the North Shore leg sitting No. 3 on the rankings, fueled by momentum and fearless energy.
“I didn’t expect to get those scores here… I’m just so happy,” Goold said. “This event means a lot to me and my family. I’m excited for the next ones—there will be CT girls, so it’s going to be amazing.”
With this win, the 15-year-old joins a serious list of Sunset champions including Gabriela Bryan, Eweleiula Wong, and Nora Liotta.
McGill Breaks the Curse – First QS Win at Home
For Finn McGill, this one was personal. After years of close calls and runner-up heartbreaks, the 2017 World Junior Champ finally sealed the deal at home.
McGill delivered one of the event’s standout performances, hammering a near-perfect 9.00 in the men’s Final with trademark Sunset rail power. The heat featured heavy hitters—Barron Mamiya, Josh Moniz, and new threat Kingston Panebianco—each landing punches in a seesaw battle.
Panebianco posted a 7.57, Moniz matched with a clutch 6.50, but McGill found the score he needed with minutes left, overtaking the field and holding strong to the final horn.
“It’s so special. I’ve gotten second here so many times… it feels incredible to finally break that curse,” McGill said. “I grew up surfing Sunset with Pancho Sullivan. This wave means everything to me.”
The win sends McGill to No. 1 on the rankings as he rolls into Haleʻiwa with serious momentum.
Strong Runner-Up Finishes: Moana Jones Wong & Josh Moniz
Moana Jones Wong continues to prove why she’s the region’s most consistent threat, retaining her No. 1 ranking after a dominant Semifinal and another Finals appearance.
Josh Moniz, a multi-time QS winner and proven North Shore competitor, nearly added another Sunset title to his Pipeline and Haleʻiwa victories. He remains firmly in the hunt at No. 5 regionally and looks dangerous heading into Haleʻiwa.
“Of course I wanted to win here—it’s the one spot I haven’t won yet,” Moniz shared. “But I’m stoked to surf good waves and build confidence before Haleʻiwa.”
Next Up: HTA HIC Haleʻiwa Pro
The Hawaiʻi/Tahiti Nui surf battalion now shifts to the HTA HIC Haleʻiwa Pro, running November 29 – December 6, a combined QS 2,000 + LQS 1,000 event that launches the 2026 Longboard Tour qualification race.
With Challenger Series spots on the line and only two QS events remaining, Haleʻiwa is about to get very interesting.
For full results and upcoming event info, visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
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