North Shore’s Luke Tema pulls off a stunning win at the Hawaiian Islands Sunset Pro, defeating a star-studded field in challenging conditions.
In the world of professional surfing, few challenges are as daunting as Sunset Beach’s massive, powerful waves. Yet, 18-year-old Luke Tema made history last weekend by winning the 2024 Hawaiian Islands Sunset Pro—widely regarded as one of the toughest WSL Qualifying Series 1,000 events in the world.
The Sunset Pro, held at the iconic North Shore break, drew 96 surfers from around the globe, including big-name veterans like Torrey Meister, Mason Ho, Billy Kemper, and Koa Rothman, alongside rising stars like Shion Crawford and Eimeo Czermak. Despite the stacked field, it was Tema—hailing from Honolulu and now a North Shore local—who emerged victorious, marking his first-ever QS win.
Tema’s performance was nothing short of impressive. Out of six heats, he won five, including a commanding victory in the final. His only setback came in the semifinals, where he narrowly lost to veteran Torrey Meister by less than a tenth of a point. However, the young surfer still managed to secure a spot in the final over competitors Mason Ho and Czermak.
“I was just so stoked to be surfing against legends I look up to,” said Tema, reflecting on the event in a phone call with SURFER magazine. “It pushed me so much in my amateur career, and it felt so good to take it all the way.”
Tema surfed his way to the win on a 6’6″ Hawaiian Island Creations board, shaped by Kerry Tokoro, a trusted choice for handling the powerful 6-8 foot waves at Sunset. Despite his youth, Tema’s performance in the water belied his age, with the young surfer showcasing a keen understanding of the waves’ dynamics.
Born and raised in Honolulu, Tema moved to the North Shore in 2020 to immerse himself in the region’s challenging surf. He credits his recent success to his relentless training and the guidance of Rainos Hayes, a former Billabong team manager and respected Hawaiian surf coach.
“Sunset is a wave that has always challenged me,” said Tema. “It’s one of the hardest waves in the world, but I’ve spent the past few years focusing on it and pushing through the tough sessions.”
While the Sunset Pro field was packed with talent, including Hawaiian legends like John John Florence and Andy Irons, as well as local heroes such as Pancho Sullivan, Luke Swanson, and Kai Lenny, Tema remained calm and composed throughout the contest. Despite tough conditions, he consistently earned his best scores in the final moments of each heat, with his highest score of the event—14.85—coming in the final.
“I didn’t believe it when I saw the scores on the beach,” said Tema, reflecting on his victory. “It was pretty surreal to win, especially in front of all my friends at my home break.”
Tema’s victory not only highlights his rising talent but also signals his potential to make a significant mark on the professional surfing world. As he continues to hone his skills at Sunset Beach and beyond, the future looks bright for this young surfer who has already achieved what many pro surfers take years to accomplish.
With his first QS win under his belt, Luke Tema is poised for an exciting career, and his performance at Sunset Beach will no doubt be remembered as a standout moment in the 2024 WSL season.
Related topics:
- Are Griffin and Crosby Colapinto the Best Brother Duo in Surfing?
- Vahine Fierro Poised for a Breakout Year on the World Surf League Circuit
- Phyllis O’Donnell, First Women’s Surfing World Champion, Dies at 87