Finn McGill (HAW) emerged victorious at the World Surf League (WSL) Air Tahiti Rangiroa Pro, a men’s Hawaii/Tahiti Nui Qualifying Seres (QS) 1,000, in clean, two-to-four-foot conditions pulsing into Rangiroa’s pristine reef of Avatoru. This marks McGill’s first-ever QS victory in a prominent career for the North Shore of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi competitor after besting Shion Crawford (HAW) in the Final. Now, the final Hawaii/Tahiti Nui qualifiers for the 2025 Challenger Series are solidified with Crawford earning back-to-back QS Regional victories.
Finn McGill Claims Maiden Qualifying Series Win to Qualify for Challenger Series
Finn McGill (HAW), 24, entered the event needing a big result and pushed his performance in what Rangiroa had to offer. McGill’s last WSL win occurred at the 2018 Sunset Pro Junior and this Final at the Air Tahiti Rangiroa Pro marked his fourth QS Final appearance, and second in Rangiroa. Now, McGill jumps to No. 2 on the 2024/2025 rankings and prepares for the 2025 Challenger Series for a chance to compete with the world’s elite toward Championship Tour (CT) qualification.
“It’s so special. I’ve gotten second out here and second at Sunset a few times and just have never been able to do it,” McGill said. “It was against one of my good friends, Shion Crawford, and it’s always hard because he’s gotten second so much this year. So many emotions. The last four years, I’ve been trying, and now I’ve qualified for the Challengers, I’m stoked.”
“At the beginning of the year, I had a pretty bad hip injury, and I didn’t think I was going to compete and maybe quit surfing. I had a breakthrough the week before Haleiwa, and I had to Final both of them to qualify for the Challenger Series—and I did, so I’m stoked.”
A slow start to the Final between McGill and reigning Hawaii/Tahiti QS Regional victor Shion Crawford (HAW) gave way to a battle of finding a rhythm and utilizing key opportunities. Crawford struck with the heat’s first score of consequence, posting a 6.25 (out of a possible 20), on his formidable forehand attack. Haliewa’s Crawford stayed busy, finding his backup to put McGill into needing a 9.00. But, after playing the patient game McGill found his way back into the heat with a 5.50.
With time dwindling, McGill utilized a gem of an opportunity and answered with the heat’s highest single-wave score of a 7.50 to take the lead. With Crawford unable to respond, McGill emerged victorious after also posting Finals Day’s highest heat total in the Quarterfinals over Tahiti’s own Mihimana Braye (PYF) – a 15.45 (out of a possible 20).
Shion Crawford Earns Runner-up to Secure Back-to-Back QS Regional Victories
An in-form Crafwford surged his way to a third runner-up finish in the 2024/2025 season with three straight Final appearances to earn back-to-back Hawaii/Tahiti Nui QS Regional wins. The 20-year-old Crawford blistered his way through Rangiroa’s day of barrels on Day 1 and unleashed his forehand attack on Finals Day with an excellent 8.00 in the Semifinals over Oliver Zietz (NDL). Now, Crawford is preparing to rejoin the Challenger Series elite after finishing No. 34 in 2023 and No. 50 in 2024 with breakthrough performances.
“I’m stoked to get first on the rankings and stoked to get consistent second-places so I’m excited,” Crawford said. “I learned a lot this year on the Challenger Series and mostly the last two events working with Snake [Jake Patterson]. Now I feel a lot more experienced going back. There’s a lot of good guys in this region and I’m stoked to get back-to-back [Regional wins].”
Hawaii/Tahiti Nui Challenger Series Qualifiers Finalized to Finish 2024/2025 Season
With the Air Tahiti Rangiroa Pro QS 1,000 complete, Hawaii/Tahiti Nui’s Challenger Series representatives are in and ready to take on the world’s elite in 2025. Joining Crawford and McGill, Zietz finished with a career-best rank at No.3 alongside No. 4 Luke Swanson and No. 5 Luke Tema (HAW).
For the women, after competing in the co-sanctioned Super Girl Surf Pro events in Oceanside Beach, Calif. and Jacksonville Beach, Fla., both QS 3,000 events, Eweleiula Wong (HAW) held as the 2024/2025 Hawaii/Tahiti Regional QS victor leaving the Sunset Beach Pro to finish their season. Wong joins Crawford as the regional victors alongside Vaihitimahana Inso (HAW), Keala Tomoda-Bannert (HAW).
Plus, 2024 CT rookie Eli Hanneman (HAW) and Tahiti’s rising star Kiara Goold (PYF) will be the regional wildcards for the 2025 Challenger Series.
2025 Hawaii/Tahiti Nui Women’s Challenger Series Qualifiers
1. Eweleiula Wong (HAW)
2. Keala Tomoda-Bannert (HAW)
3. Vaihitimahana Inso (HAW)
Wildcard – Kiara Goold (PYF)
2025 Hawaii/Tahiti Nui Men’s Challenger Series Qualifiers
1. Shion Crawford (HAW)
2. Finn McGill (HAW)
3. Oliver Zietz (HAW)
4. Luke Swanson (HAW)
5. Luke Tema (HAW)
Wildcard – Eli Hanneman (HAW)
Air Tahiti Rangiroa Pro Final Results:
1 – Finn McGill (HAW) 13.00
2 – Shion Crawford (HAW) 11.65
Air Tahiti Rangiroa Pro Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Shion Crawford (HAW) 15.00 DEF. Oliver Zietz (NLD) 12.15
HEAT 2: Finn McGill (HAW) 13.25 DEF. Makana Franzmann (HAW) 12.40
Air Tahiti Rangiroa Pro Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Oliver Zietz (NLD) 13.60 DEF. Rylan Beavers (HAW) 12.60
HEAT 2: Shion Crawford (HAW) 12.65 DEF. Vehiatua Prunier (PYF) 9.05
HEAT 3: Finn McGill (HAW) 15.45 DEF. Mihimana Braye (FRA) 14.20
HEAT 4: Makana Franzmann (HAW) 15.00 DEF. Turo Ariitu (PYF) 11.50
Air Tahiti Rangiroa Pro Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: Rylan Beavers (HAW) 13.30 DEF. Vehiatua Prunier (PYF) 11.10, Kalanoweo Desoto (HAW) 8.80, Tama Hannemann (HAW) 6.25
HEAT 2: Shion Crawford (HAW) 12.90 DEF. Oliver Zietz (NLD) 11.85, Diego Ferri (HAW) 9.05, Teiva Tairoa (PYF) 6.90
HEAT 3: Finn McGill (HAW) 12.50 DEF. Turo Ariitu (PYF) 9.60, Cody Young (HAW) 8.20, Luke Swanson (HAW) 7.90
HEAT 4: Makana Franzmann (HAW) 13.10 DEF. Mihimana Braye (FRA) 12.05, Luke Tema (HAW) 9.80, Sheldon Paishon (HAW) 7.25
For more information, please visit www.WorldSurfLeague.com.