Kai Sallas added something significant to his surfing resumé and his bank account yesterday.

Sallas won the men's professional division of the Converse Hawaiian Open longboard surfing contest at Queen's Surf, Waikiki.

"It's one of my biggest wins," said Sallas, who grew up surfing at Waikiki. "It's the most money I ever made."

Sallas received $2,000 for the win, and a $1,500 bonus for using a "Turbo" fin on his board. In the financially challenged sport of longboard surfing, the $13,000 purse was one of the largest of the year.

Julie Whitegon, of Encinitas, Calif., also received $2,000 for winning the professional women's division.

The finals of the three-day contest were completed in 1- to 3-foot waves.

"The conditions were pretty good, actually," Sallas, 24, said. "And this is my home break."

Sallas proved his knowledge of the Waikiki waves by consistently catching the best ones throughout the day.

During the 30-minute final, his two best waves received scores of 8.4 and 8.2 for a total of 16.6. On both waves, he blended smooth noserides with hard-carving maneuvers.

"There was enough waves for everybody, but the better waves will always help you win the contest," he said.

Sallas is hoping the victory can also bring in a sponsor for his surfing expenses.

"I have to pay my own entry fees, so I'm looking for a good sponsor to help me right now," he said.

Ned Snow of Honolulu placed second with a two-wave score of 14.8. He caught several open waves, but fell while trying to complete some of his crucial maneuvers.

"Once you fall, it kind of throws off your whole heat," Snow, 20, said. "I'm happy to get second because it's still up there, but at the same time, it's frustrating."

Kekoa Uemura of Honolulu placed third with a score of 14.6, and Colin McPhillips of California was fourth with 12.1.

McPhillips, a three-time former world champion, was considered a favorite to win, but he caught only three waves during the 30-minute final.

"At Queen's, there's always going to be long lulls," Snow said. "So sometimes you have to go for any wave you can to get your score."

In the women's final, Whitegon relied on her contest experience to beat the younger competitors.

"I think I have a lot of competition knowledge, as far as knowing what the judges want to see," Whitegon, 40, said. "The younger girls are still learning that."

Whitegon's two best waves received scores of 9.5 and 8.8 for a total of 18.3.

"The waves really came up for us today," Whitegon said. "So it was nice just to be out there with three other girls and get your pick of waves."

Leah Dawson of Florida was second with 15.1. Two teenagers were the top finishers from Hawai'i: Honolulu's Geodee Clark, 17, was third and Makaha's Kawehi Whitford, 14, fourth.

The contest was the second of three in the United States Professional Longboard Surfing Championships. The final event in the series will be held next month in California.

Fritz Belmoro of Honolulu won the men's noseriding contest, and Kassia Meador of California won the women's noseriding contest.

FINAL RESULTS

Men open: 1, Kai Sallas, $2,000. 2, Ned Snow, $1,000. 3, Kekoa Uemura, $750. 4, Colin McPhillips, $500. 5 (tie), Lance Ho'okano and Keegan Edwards, $250. 7 (tie), Bonga Perkins and Scotty Fong Jr., $125.

Women open: 1, Julie Whitegon, $2,000. 2, Leah Dawson, $1,000. 3, Geodee Clark, $750. 4, Kawehi Whitford, $500. 5 (tie), Crystal Dzigas and Kassia Meador. 7 (tie), Jill Hansen and Lindsay Steinriede.

Men noseriding: 1, Fritz Belmoro, $500. 2, Duane DeSoto, $375. 3, Noah Shimabukuro, $250. 4, Keegan Edwards, $125. 5, Makamae DeSoto, $100. 6, Mike DeTemple, $50.

Women noseriding: 1, Kassia Meador, $500. 2, Kelia Moniz, $375. 3, Belen Kimble, $250. 4, Megan Godinez, $125. 5, Joy Magelssen, $100. 6, Leah Dawson, $50.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.