Kanoa gets the royal treatment up the beach after winning the Mahalo Surf Eco Festival in Brazil. Photo: WSL
At just 18-years-young, Kanoa Igarashi has done what many pro surfers merely dream about throughout their entire careers: qualified for the coveted World Tour. Over the weekend, the Huntington Beach local secured his spot on the Tour after he won the Mahalo Surf Eco Festival held at Praia da Tiririca, in Itacaré, Brazil.
The final saw Igarashi getting the best of 22-year-old Australian surfer Connor O’Leary. After a hefty straight frontside air, Kanoa locked in a 7.00 followed by consecutive air-reverses for a 7.57. In the end, those two scores were enough to take down O’Leary who wasn’t able to secure the win despite locking in a 7.77, the highest score of the heat.
“I can’t believe what I’m feeling, this is amazing,” Igarashi said after the event. “It’s the biggest win in my life and the best year of my life. I can’t believe it, I’m so happy. Things are a lot better for me now. There’s a lot less pressure and less events, so I don’t have to worry as much anymore. Now I can enjoy things a little more and relax, but I still want to do well in Maresias. I’m loving Brazil and I love being here, so I can’t wait for Maresias too.”
Kanoa has made it very clear that he wants to one day be World Champion. His dedication, his passion, and his drive are promising factors for what’s to come. And making it onto the Dream Tour is just the first step – now it’s time to prove that he can hang with the big boys.
