Joel in winning form

Patience and faith in his home break of Haleiwa delivered local-boy Joel Centeio the biggest victory of his career today, winning the Reef Hawaiian Pro in 6- to 8-foot surf with a late barrel ride and only the mandatory two waves to his credit. Joel, 26, came from the very first round, winning all seven heats he contested. His win today earned him $20,000. If he can stay the course and win the Vans Triple Crown series title, it will pay another $50,000 as well as a $10,000 custom Nixon watch.

Runner-up in the final was Florida's CJ Hobgood, third was Australian Jay "Bottle" Thompson, 27, and fourth was Tahiti's Alain Riou. Hobgood and Thompson were always within striking distance - requiring less than a 7.0 point ride to turn the tables - but Haleiwa chose to favor her own.

Joel was clearly stoked. "My family, friends and everybody is here and it's a dream come true to win right here at my homebreak", he said. "I want to get back out there and qualify (for the Dream Tour), that's been my lifelong dream."

Californian Nathan Yeomans also did enough today to qualify for the 2010 ASP Dream Tour, moving to sixth place on the WQS ratings with his quarter final finish. He ended the event in equal 9th position, losing to Hobgood and Riou.

The VANS Triple Crown of Surfing now moves along the North Shore to Sunset Beach for stop #2: the O'Neill World Cup of Surfing, and the women's Gidget Pro Sunset Beach. The holding period for Sunset officially commences tomorrow, running through December 6, however organizers anticipate a Wednesday start, coinciding with the arrival of potentially the biggest swell of the winter so far.