Maui's Kai Barger won the Nike 6.0 Pro Junior surfing contest today at California.

Barger edged Tonino Benson of the Big Island in the final to win the $2,500 first prize.

The final day of the contest was run in 2- to 4-foot waves at Huntington Beach, Calif.

Barger trailed early in the heat, but received an 8.5 (out of 10) with about nine minutes remaining to take the lead. He finished with a two-wave total of 15.5 (out of 20).

Benson placed second with a two-wave score of 14.3. California surfers Dillon Perillo and Nat Young placed third and fourth, respectively.

The contest is considered one of the top qualifiers for the World Junior Championships. Most of the country's top surfers under the age of 20 entered the event.

Barger, 19, is the defending ASP world junior champion.