Association of Surfing Professionals Hawaii kicked off the 2010 season yesterday on the North Shore. The 1-Star Qualifying Series Sponsor Me Sunset Open presented by Da Hui was blessed with pristine conditions.

Despite the relatively low prize money and QS ratings, this event still attracted the best and brightest pro surfers in Hawaii. The 12-to 16-foot wave faces and tradewinds at Sunset Beach added to the attractiveness of this event. The first round and half of the second were completed yesterday, with the usual suspects winning their heats.

North Shore native Pancho Sullivan, 36, was a standout competitor in the big waves, winning his heat in Round 2. The former Championship Tour surfer has won five Xcel Pro titles and is considered one of the best surfers at Sunset Beach by his peers. Sullivan knows that there is a big payoff to a good performance here.

“;Even though this is a 1-star event there is a lot riding on this event and the placing,”; Sullivan said. “;This is the first event in the ASP Hawaii regional tour and the top eight (ASP Hawaii) surfers will be earning spots into the Triple Crown. The overall champion of ASP Hawaii will also earn a spot into the Pipeline Masters.”;

This is the first year ASP Hawaii is holding a regional tour as a qualifier for the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing that takes place in November and December. According to Sullivan, ASP Hawaii will be holding six to eight QS events throughout 2010 depending on sponsorships of the events.

“;Hopefully, the caliber of surfing that goes down over the next couple of days will prompt some of the companies to take interest and participate in this region,”; says Sullivan. “;I believe we have the best waves in the world. If Brazil can have six to eight QS events, then I don't see why Hawaii can't be right there.”;

Not only was Sullivan competing yesterday, but he was also coaching at Sunset Beach. Waimanalo's Kekoa Cazimero, 20, won his heat at the Sunset Open, thanks to coaching from Progressive Surfing - a company that Sullivan and former Triple Crown Champ Myles Padaca have been developing.

“;Honestly, everything that happened out there (at Sunset) I have to thank Pancho Sullivan,”; Cazimero said. “;He gave me the best advice I've ever heard for Sunset.”;

Cazimero has never had a good contest result at Sunset Beach, but looked in form yesterday with Sullivan guiding him from the channel as a board caddie.

“;I've heard from hundreds of guys how Sunset works, but I could never understand the wave,”; Cazimero admitted. “;Pancho pretty much told me which waves to take off on, and every wave I got out there was a sick one. I owe making my heat to Pancho.”;

The Sponsor Me Sunset Open needs one more day of competition to conclude. With light trades and a big north/northwest swell in the forecast this 1-star QS event will probably wrap up competition this weekend. Call 596-SURF for updates.