North Shore, Oahu, HAWAII - (Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013) -- Tahiti's Michel Bourez (PYF) has won the REEF Hawaiian Pro, the $40,000 prize purse, and takes an early lead of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing hydrated by vitaminwater&reg;. Bourez, 27, built momentum through the earlier rounds of this competition and was clearly unstoppable by the final. He survived a late charge by Haleiwa local Fred Patacchia, 31, and was well clear of Jeremy Flores (France) and Dion Atkinson (Australia), who finished third and fourth respectively.<br /> This is Bourez's second victory at the REEF Hawaiian Pro, having first won here in 2008. His combination of stylish power surfing and impeccable wave selection made him the man to beat through the final rounds of competition today. A strong surfer in big waves and a great Tahitian tube rider, he is definitely capable of winning the Vans Triple Crown this year.<br /> The most relieved athlete today was Dion Atkinson, 27, from South Australia. Atkinson entered the REEF Hawaiian Pro with work to be done if he is to qualify for the 2014 elite ASP World Championship Tour. With this result, he climbed into qualification position today, has taken off a little pressure going into Sunset, and will now be looking to maintain form in order to make his pro surfing dreams come true.  Photo: joliphotos.com
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