Intro:

Michel Bourez won the REEF Hawaiian Pro and took the early lead of the Triple Crown of Surfing.

The Tahitian took victory in the event previously in 2008.

Script:

Some words go quite naturally together.

And surfing and Hawaii are just two of them.

The sport's top stars heading to Oahu for the REEF Hawaiian Pro, the first event in the Triple Crown Series of Surfing.

And it was Tahiti's Michel Bourez who won the event and the $40,000 top prize.

The 27-year-old building momentum through the earlier rounds of this competition and then keeping his big lead through the finals.

A lot to admire in the way he controlled his board, as anybody who's ever tried surfing can no doubt testify to. Seemingly glued to his feet.

This is his second victory at the REEF Hawaiian Pro, having first won here in 2008.

"It's still a new feeling. The first time I won it, I was super happy for making the tour and this time, you know, I worked so hard to make the final and especially to lead the Triple Crown and it's a good feeling."

He survived a late challenge by Fred Patacchia, who lives just a short stroll from Haleiwa Beach.

Bourez ended up well clear of Jeremy Flores of France and Dion Atkinson of Australia, who finished third and fourth respectively.

The next stop on the series is on Sunset Beach in Hawaii, which runs until the 6 December.