Surfing: Kehu Butler wins first pro tour title

BREAKTHROUGH: Mount Maunganui's Kehu Butler won his first pro tour event in Perth. PHOTO: File

Mount Maunganui's Kehu Butler has won his first victory on the Australasian Junior Qualifying Series of the World Surf League at Trigg Point in Western Australia on Sunday.

It moved the Mount Maunganui College student into third place overall in the Australasian Series.

Butler made the most of the powerful peaks at Perth's premiere wave location. In the 30-minute men's final, Butler used his powerful frame and strong rail game to post a combined total of 15.75 (from a possible 20), defeating local West Australian Kael Walsh (Yallingup), who was left chasing a 9.00 for the win.

Despite a strong aerial performance from Walsh, it was Butler who cut through the afternoon lump and bump with ease and obliterated any section that came his way.

Butler was a popular winner and was chaired up the beach to a rapturous applause, as his friends and family performed a haka for him, that brought the crowd on the beach to its feet.

"I'm super-stoked to have won, the waves were really pumping this morning,"
Butler said.

"I had some special luck on my side at this event and it's a dream to win my first Pro Junior event."