Damn, 16 Y.O. Bettylou Sakura Just Got The Jump On Riss Moore At Haleiwa

There’s a generational shift happening on the Women’s tour. 

The six new faces joining the CT next year are: Gabriela Bryan, Brisa Hennessy, Caitlin Simmers, India Robinson, Betty-Lou Sakura Johnson, and Luana Silva. 

The oldest of them, Brisa, is 22 years old. Robinson is 21. Gabriela is 19. Luana is 17. Betty and Caitlin are both 16. That’s an average of 18.5 years for the new qualifiers. Caitlin and Betty were practicing their pincher grips when Steph Gilmore won her first title in 07’. 

Now, they will be competing against her for a World Title next year. 

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A lot of CT qualification fates hung on the results at Haleiwa. As it turned out, the semi-final would decide the three remaining qualification spots for five surfers in the race.

In the end, it would see India Robinson, Luana Silva, Carissa Moore, and Betty-Lou advancing to the final, spelling the end of Molly Picklum (who lost to Luana via a tie-break), Vahine Fierro, and Alyssa Spencer 21’ CT qualification campaigns. 

The final leaderboard looked like this (below) in what was an incredibly slow heat in junky, overcast conditions that saw a lull plague the lineup for the better part of twenty minutes. 

1. Betty-Lou (13.17)
2. Gabriela Bryan (11.50)
3. Carissa Moore (9.76)
4. India Robinson (2.00)

Betty posted two scores early and prayed for the ocean to switch off. Her prayers came true. And shortly after, Betty was being showered with apple cider in her post-heat interview while Kaipo Guerro assumed the style of Bruce Buffer announcing the UFC main event winner. “She’s so good they had to name her four times!” yelled Kaips, carotids hemorrhaging. 

Betty and John are your 21’ Haleiwa CS winners. That’s two from two for Hawaii.