Tahitian surfers Tikanui Smith and Mateia Hiquily won an epic trials at the Tahiti Pro Teahupoo, the seventh stage of the CT which will begin its waiting period on August 10.

They will now complete series 5 and 6 of the competition table:
Series 5: Julian Wilson (AUS), Joel Parkinson (AUS), Mateia Hiquily (PYF)
Series 6: Filipe Toledo (BRA), Tago Dora (BRA), Tikanui Smith (PYF)

It was a day of epic 4-6 foot waves with moments of solid heats. Bruno Santos from Brazil, former winner of these trials and of this stage in 2008, surfed a 10 on a square wave. The Brazilian made it to the semis, surfed the best wave of that heat but lacked a backup, with priority he waited more than five minutes and the 5 he needed never came. Tikanui Smith celebrated with a beer and still had to surf in the grand final of the trials.

He was joined by another who was in shape all day, Mateia Hiquily, a QS warrior who surfs small waves very well, who showed that he also takes charge in the bombs and does things well.

 

Tahitian local @mateiahiquily just now in the trials? ?: @peterkingphoto #TahitiPro Aug 10 - 21

A publication shared by World surf league (@wsl) the 7's 2018 1 31: XNUMX PDT

Aritz did not make it past round 1

The defending champion of these trials, the Basque Aritz Aranburu, did not manage to get past his round 1 series, being beaten by locals Mihimana Braye and Tereva David.

It was a very close series for the Zarautz local, who still found a couple of good tubes:

 

@aritz_aranburu was just a little bit away from passing his round 1 heat of the @wsl #ct #tahitipro trials today. The Zarautz native was defeated by locals @mihimanabraye and @terevadavid. Video: @diegobalestro_

A publication shared by DUKE (@duke_surf) the 7's 2018 4 32: XNUMX PDT

All round 1 series:
Series 1: Wade Carmichael (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Joan Duru (FRA)
Series 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Ezekiel Lau (HAW), Ian Gouveia (BRA)
Series 3: Italo Ferreira (BRA), Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Series 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Tomas Hermes (BRA), Wiggolly Dantas (BRA)
Series 5: Julian Wilson (AUS), Joel Parkinson (AUS), Mateia Hiquily (PYF)
Series 6: Filipe Toledo (BRA), Tago Dora (BRA), Tikanui Smith (PYF)
Series 7: Willian Cardoso (BRA), Frederico Morais (PRT), Michael February (ZAF)
Series 8: Michel Bourez (PYF), Kanoa Igarashi (JPN), Keanu Asing (HAW)
Series 9: Mikey Wright (AUS), Adriano de Souza (BRA), Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Series 10: Griffin Colapinto (USA), Kolohe Andino (USA), Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Series 11: Owen Wright (AUS), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Jesse Mendes (BRA)
Series 12: Conner Coffin (USA), Michael Rodrigues (BRA), Connor O'Leary (AUS)