HTA Sunset Pro opens WSL qualifying stretch at Sunset Beach
NXTbets Pro | Published On: October 23, 2026
Sunset Beach opener
The World Surf League’s Hawaiʻi/Tahiti Nui Qualifying Series opens its North Shore stretch at Sunset Beach with the HTA Sunset Pro, a men’s and women’s QS 2,000 event. The stop brings both divisions to one of the series’ key venues and puts the spotlight on a field that blends a defending champion, a returning runner-up and wildcard entries. Organizers are scheduled to meet at 7 a.m. HST on opening day to assess a possible start in a strong El Niño swell, a first step that will shape how the event unfolds once the surf is ready. That meeting gives officials a chance to read conditions before the draw gets underway and decide how quickly the competition can move into action. The event carries weight for both the men’s and women’s fields, with the opening-day check set to play a central role in the first calls of the contest.
Women’s field
Kiara Goold of Tahiti returns as the defending women’s champion after winning the event last season, and she arrives ranked No. 10 on the QS. The rest of the women’s lineup brings depth behind her. Moana Jones Wong, Aelan Vaast, Eweleiula Wong, Chesney Guinotte and Vaihitimahana Inso all line up for the event, creating a field that mixes familiar names with surfers looking to break through in a major stop on the qualifying series. The women’s field gives Goold a proven benchmark to defend against a crowded lineup once the first heats begin. Sunset Beach will test each surfer in the same conditions, and the lineup suggests a wide-open contest.
Men’s field and program
Joshua Moniz returns on the men’s side after finishing runner-up last season, and he joins a field that also includes Barron Mamiya, Ezekiel Lau, Billy Kemper and Kai Lenny. The lineup gives the event a strong mix of experience and competitive range, with multiple surfers capable of making a run through the event. The HTA Sunset Pro also introduces the inaugural HTA Scholar Athlete Program, adding another layer to the stop beyond the core competition. Ace Arizumi and Kenzi Nakamura will compete as wildcards in that program, and the WSL and HTA covered their membership and entry fees. The scholar athlete initiative brings a new element to the event alongside a field that features a returning runner-up and major names, while the opening-day surf call waits in the wings.
