Long before most of the competitors in the inaugural 2010 HIC Pro were even a twinkle in their Dad's eyes, there was an annual local North Shore pro/am contest called the Pro Class Trials that was the qualifying feeder to the Duke Invitational, Smirnoff Pro, Pipeline Masters, and other independent events during its productive 1975-1983 run.

After the eventual demise of the Pro Class Trials, a local wetsuit manufacturer called Xcel Wetsuits assumed the reins of the sole North Shore qualifier. Xcel owner Ed D' Ascoli unconditionally supported Hawaii's young talent pool with this early winter event that served as a springboard into the newly formed Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.  The Xcel Pro became an institution on the North Shore with hot young surfers from around Hawaii coming to Sunset Beach to either cut their teeth or solidify their reputations.  Xcel was eventually purchased by Billabong, and in 2010, Xcel quietly stepped away from the event. "26 years … that's a long time," said D' Ascoli, "but everything has a shelf life." 

Much to the relief of local competitors, HIC (aka Hawaiian Island Creations) partnered with Vans and the "HIC Pro presented by Vans" was born.  Sunset Beach was retained as the primary contest venue, preserving its reputation as a "Surfer's Contest." No tricks, no bikini contests, no overt media fanfare, just good old fashioned Hawaiian power surfing in solid waves at the North Shore's most challenging surf break.

Although the stunning death of 3X ASP World Champion Andy Irons cast a heavy shadow on the contest, the stoke level was high with the news of HIC's re-entry into the pro surfing arena.  Nonetheless, the loss had a profound effect on everyone there.  “As a longtime HIC Teamrider, Andy was part of the HIC ohana, so the news of his death was a real blow to everyone here who knew, loved and respected him. The first morning of the contest began with a traditional Hawaiian prayer and dedication by Kahu Butch Helemano in Andy’s honor, with several of his good friends and fellow pro surfers in attendance. Since this contest was Andy’s first professional victory, it really felt like a fitting tribute, and Andy was in everyone’s hearts and minds throughout the event,” said HIC Brand Manager Mitch McKewen.

Fitting indeed, with Irons' maiden pro victory a clear indicator of how critical this event is for fostering young surfing talent in Hawaii and why HIC's and Vans support cannot be overstated. HIC President Stephen Tsukiyama was all in.  "When the Xcel Pro first started, HIC was one of the first sponsors to partner with them, so it gives us a really good feeling to return to the event now and promote competitive surfing in Hawaii again. We are very proud to get behind the largest locally sponsored event in Hawaii and to play a qualifying role in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing," he said.

Day 1 was a go on the morning of November 3rd, with Sunset Beach a heavy 10'-12'.  Among the early standouts were Kawai Lindo, Edrick Baldwin, Evan Valiere, Marcus Hickman, Sunny Garcia, and Solomon Ortiz.  The swell tailed off steadily through the following days and the final was held in barely proper Sunset at it's most perplexing; 5' - 7'  NNE ‘tweeners that alternated between walled up shutdown point sections and schizophrenic steep and slopey inside peaks. The ol’ bait-n-switch conditions forced many competitors out of position for the best waves, and the trick was to link maneuvers through the available pockets to get solid scores.  But if anyone could do it, the four young finalists could;   teenage Kauaian Alex Smith, angular Aussie Jack Perry, Maui whipsaw Billy Kemper, and local upstart Keanu Asing.  With a radical and consistent performance, Kemper took the win and $12,000 first place check.  Onstage and overcome with emotion, he dedicated the victory to Andy Irons and his late surfer brother Eric Diaz, who died in 1998. Who knows, maybe Kemper will go on from this win to bring multiple world championships back to Hawaii.

The HIC Pro was good in a number of ways, most importantly in giving Hawaii surfers a way to share their grief and strength, and creating a solid corporate partnership to save this critical competitive vessel for Hawaii's finest.  Cheers to the good people of HIC and Vans for their support of Hawaiian surfing and may this contest run for a loooooong time to come.  A stoked McKewen added, “All of us here at HIC are super happy with the way this event turned out. The support we received from Vans, ASP Hawaii, and Randy Rarick’s Triple Crown crew was just unbelievable. We had three days of big challenging waves, world class surfing competition provided by Hawaii’s top pros, and it was all broadcast live in Hawaii on Oceanic Time Warner Cable. What more could we ask for?”