Moana Jones Wong and Jackson Bunch Win Inaugural 2026 TOA Pro Punaauia

Moana Jones Wong (HAW) and Jackson Bunch (HAW) have claimed victories at the TOA Pro Punaauia, a men’s and women’s World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 2,000-level event, in solid four-to-six-foot wave faces at Taapuna’s perfect left-hand reef break. Though inconsistency tested the contenders’ patience at times, the South Pacific showed its beauty with 29 excellent scores, meaning an 8.00 (out of a possible 10) or higher, accounted for on Finals Day. Jones Wong and Bunch found themselves on the best opportunities in their respective heats all the way to the podium, besting Tahiti’s own Aelan Vaast (PYF) and Matahi Drollet (PYF) in the Final. The Tahitian leg is off and running, with the TOA Pro Papara QS 2,000 and Regional Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) beginning May 25 - 30.

Jones Wong Keeps Her Winning Form, Hoists First-Ever TOA Pro Punaauia Title

The Queen of Pipeline, Moana Jones Wong (HAW), now adds another left-hand reef break to her winning list at Taapuna, already securing multiple wins at Pipeline and a win at Ala Moana Bowls. Jones Wong finished the 2025/26 QS season atop the rankings for the third time in her career, heading into the first-ever TOA Pro Punaauia, earning her third-career QS win today, and now prepares for the Papara event beginning Monday, May 25.

“I’m so happy. That was such a hard Final, and even back to the Semis with Kohai, she’s such a local legend. And of course, Aelan is one of the best surfers from our region, so surfing against her at her home was so special,” Jones Wong. “She really pushed me, and we had a really good Final. I couldn’t be happier to have our QS start like this.”

“I was thinking about the Tahitian support when I was sitting on the boat. And they have so much support, and it’s your home so your home is going to cheer for you. It was kind of bittersweet because I knew they all wanted her to win, but I really wanted to win too (laughs). My husband is from here and we get to come here all the time, and this is his home break so it feels extra special to win here.”

The women’s Final featured 2026 Challenger Series qualifiers, Moana Jones Wong (HAW) and Aelan Vaast (PYF) after incredible showings throughout the event. A slow start gave way to fireworks from the two top-tier regional standouts, starting with Aelan laying into her backhand attack to post a 7.33 and take a slim lead. But, a set came in immediately after and Jones Wong found a gem, locking into a barrel before finding another barrel section and finishing the wave with her forehand power to earn a 9.00. Then, heading into the five-minute mark, another opportunity gave Vaast a chance after falling on a previous barrel, and showcased more of her backhand power on multiple sections to earn a 7.43 and the lead with the channel showing their support. But, the ocean wasn’t done and offered Jones Wong one more opportunity in the dying moments, and the Hawaiian unleashed two powerful forehand fin blows and the horn sounding under a minute later. An 8.83 was revealed, crowning Jones Wong the inaugural TOA Pro Punaauia victor.

Jones Wong had to surpass the likes of Lucy Jarrard (ASM) in her Quarterfinal opener before an all-goofy-footed bout with Tahiti’s standout Kohai Fierro (PYF) in the Semifinals. Jones Wong’s 17.83 (out of a possible 20) heat total in the Final held as the women’s best performance.

Bunch Brings Former CT Caliber to Pristine Taapuna

In 2023, Maui’s Jackson Bunch (HAW) earned his first-ever QS win in Tahiti at the Rangiroa Pro and now earned his second back on the main island. Bunch went on to qualify for the Championship Tour (CT) the following year and spent 2025 competing among the world’s best. A tough year relegated him back to the Challenger Series where he looks to rejoin the CT, but first he is enjoying time in the jersey at dream locations such as Taapuna and Papara to start his QS campaign.

“That’s the best to start a season. It doesn’t get much better. We’re surfing in perfect waves and if I were to come up with my dream wave, it would be this,” said Bunch. “It was super cool surfing a bunch of heats with the locals, and I just want to say a big thank you to everyone for sharing your waves. I was trying to not take it too serious, just surf and enjoy it, and I couldn’t be more stoked. I definitely felt some pressure surfing against Matahi [Drollet] in that Final. The waves are perfect, and you don’t need to do too much out there, but I was ready to throw a big air if I needed too. But getting barreled in the jersey is all you can really ask for.”

The men’s Final featured two of the highest-scoring competitors of the event, Jackson Bunch (HAW) and Matahi Drollet (PYF), in a showdown for Drollet to keep the title on home soil as Bunch looked for his second QS victory. Right out of the gates, Bunch added another 9-point ride to his campaign, posting a 9.77 and putting pressure on Drollet immediately. After a misread from both competitors, Drollet had priority and a minimal score following a lull and didn’t let it go to waste, posting an 8.87 to take a slight lead at the 14-minute mark. Bunch would get his opportunity to respond and found a gem of his own to post an excellent 8.00 for a massive 17.77 heat total., And in the dying moments, Drollet’s final attempt wasn’t enough, crowning Bunch the even victor.

Bunch earned one of the event’s best overall performances, posting an incredible 18.50 (out of a possible 20) in the Quarterfinals before another 18.23 heat total in the Semifinals, including a 9.50 and a 9.23 as his single scores. The Maui competitor had to overcome Tahitian powerhouse Tikanui Smith (PYF) in the Quarterfinals before facing fellow Maui contender Cody Young (HAW) in the Semifinals before facing Drollet in a Final battle.

Tahitians Vaast and Drollet Take Local Support to Runner-ups

One of Tahiti’s rising stars, Aelan Vaast (PYF) returned to the Hawaiʻi/Tahiti Nui season in 2025/2026 and finished ranked No. 3 to earn her spot among the Challenger Series contenders. Vaast’s runner-up at Papara in 2025 certified her start and now earned a second, back-to-back QS Final appearance in home waters. Now, Vaast prepares for another chance to claim a win at Papara beginning May 25 - 30.

“It was really special to have the first contest here in Taapuna, and then to make the Final was really nice to start the season,” said Vaast. “I'm really proud of myself, and I gained so much confidence after that. I made it all the way to the Final which was my main goal. I had all the crew behind me, so it was really nice, and the vibe of the people was amazing. Thank you, everyone for the support. It's always amazing to do a final at home.

Teahupo’o’s renowned standouts, Matahi Drollet (PYF) reminded his fellow Tahitians and Hawaiʻi/Tahiti Nui competitors of his prowess in the jersey when the waves turn on. Drollet earned the event’s best performance, an immaculate 18.70 heat total in the Semifinals over fellow Tahitian Mihimana Braye (PYF), after posting a 9.60 in the Quarterfinals against Rylan Beavers. A special run for Drollet in front of his home community had him charging from start to finish and now sits No. 2 on the QS rankings.

“That was a good run for me in that contest, and for sure it means a lot to have everyone from Tahiti cheering for me. I never thought I would make it to the Final, but because of them, the support I had from my friends and everyone, somehow I made it to the Final,” said Drollet. “I'm very happy we got to surf against the best Hawaiians and even against the Tahitians, and to make a Final against Jackson Bunch, he was in the CT. He’s one of my favorite surfers, and to have a battle with him is an honor. I'm really happy that I can show my level of surfing to everyone, but I know I got lucky every heat. But you need some luck to go far in a contest, too. I signed up for the event the night before the first round. You can expect to see me back next year. If there's a QS on a reef break, you'll probably see me there.”

Now, the QS contenders will be joined by the region’s longboard talents at the TOA Pro Papara QS 2,000 and LQS 1,000 beginning May 25 - 30. Defending Hawaiʻi/Tahiti Nui Longboard Regional victor Sive Jarrard (ASM), multi-World Longboard Title contenders Kaniela Stewart (HAW) and Sophia Culhane (HAW) join the field. Plus, regional standouts Puamakamae DeSoto (HAW), Micah DeSoto (HAW), and Kaloneweo DeSoto (HAW) bring the family element to Tahiti from Hawaiʻi as Tahiti’s own Haunani and Toaura Haumani (PYF), Kahili Simon (PYF), and more look to claim the first TOA Papara Longboard win.

This marks Stop No. 2 for both the QS and LQS contenders looking to make their move toward 2026/2027 WSL Longboard Tour qualification and 2026 Challenger Series qualification.

1 - Jackson Bunch (HAW) 17.77

2 - Matahi Drollet (PYF) 15.20

1 - Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 17.83

2 - Aelan Vaast (PYF) 14.76

HEAT 1: Jackson Bunch (HAW) 18.23 DEF. Cody Young (HAW) 16.77

HEAT 2: Matahi Drollet (PYF) 18.70 DEF. Mihimana Braye (PYF) 16.67

HEAT 1: Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 16.33 DEF. Kohai Fierro (PYF) 14.30

HEAT 2: Aelan Vaast (PYF) 15.00 DEF. Nora Liotta (HAW) 10.14

HEAT 1: Jackson Bunch (HAW) 18.50 DEF. Tikanui Smith (PYF)

HEAT 2: Cody Young (HAW) 14.56 DEF. Turo Ariitu (PYF) 8.00

HEAT 3: Matahi Drollet (PYF) 13.77 DEF. Rylan Beavers (HAW) 11.77

HEAT 4: Mihimana Braye (PYF) 16.84 DEF. MaiKai Burdine (HAW) 16.73

HEAT 1: Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 14.10 DEF. Lucy Jarrard (ASM) 9.24

HEAT 2: Kohai Fierro (PYF) 16.33 DEF. Miliani Simon (PYF) 12.00

HEAT 3: Aelan Vaast (PYF) 15.50 DEF. Raipoe Chapelier (PYF) 10.16

HEAT 4: Nora Liotta (HAW) 12.60 DEF. Kiara Goold (PYF) 9.40

Men’s TOA Pro Punaauia Round of 16 Results:

HEAT 1: Jackson Bunch (HAW) 16.33 DEF. Cody Young (HAW) 12.77, Teiva Tetahio (PYF) 11.97, Tama Hannemann (HAW) 9.50

HEAT 2: Turo Ariitu (PYF) 15.40 DEF. Tikanui Smith (PYF) 14.90, Oliver Zietz (NLD) 14.77, Luke Tema (HAW) 7.00

HEAT 3: Rylan Beavers (HAW) 14.74 DEF. MaiKai Burdine (HAW) 14.20, Finn McGill (HAW) 13.80, Nalu Deodato (HAW) 13.50

HEAT 4: Mihimana Braye (PYF) 15.67 DEF. Matahi Drollet (PYF) 12.90, Jackson Dorian (HAW) 9.33, O'Neill Massin (PYF) 6.10

For more information, please visit www.WorldSurfLeague.com

The World Surf League (WSL) is the global home of competitive surfing, crowning World Champions since 1976 and showcasing the world’s best surfing. The WSL oversees surfing’s global competitive landscape and sets the standard for elite performance in the most dynamic playing field in all of sports. With a firm commitment to its values, the WSL prioritizes the protection of the ocean, equality, and the sport’s rich heritage, while championing progression and innovation.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Social media: