The Hawaiian, Bonga Perkins, exchanged wave for wave with Joel Tudor, Joey Valentin and Kai Sallas, sneaking in the vital winning wave during the last few minutes at Ala Moana Bowls.

Former world champion Perkins said the result was in the balance right to the end: "I said to someone after the final that I thought there was only a point between first and fourth and it really could have gone anyone's way.

"I came out on top by a hair somehow. None of those guys are slouches and it was a great final.

Bonga Perkins, exchanged wave for wave with Joel Tudor

"We still had a lot of wind to deal with today and it was catching some of the smaller guys, so if anything it was a bit of an advantage being one of the heavier guys, even though the waves were small.

"Coming into this event I was really pumped up because it's a broad field of talent. It was great for the local Hawaii surfers because they don't get to surf against half of these guys usually.

"We had guys from east and west coast, Puerto Rico and Australia. It feels great to win," added Perkins.

The Converse Open was the second of three events comprising the 2003 United States Longboard Championships.

Perkins now leads the men's rankings and Whitegon is tied with fellow Californian Summer Romero at the head of the women's rankings.

San Diego's Julie Whitegon was the clear winner of the women's division. The Californian scored 16.86 points in the final to defeat Joy Magelssen, Amy Lawson and Daize Shayne.

The third and final event of the men's and women's series, the Converse California Classic, will be staged at Malibu's Surfrider Beach in California, September 20-21.

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