The 2008 World Championship Tour has not been kind to the Hawai'i contingent of surfers.

But it's not over yet.

Hawai'i surfers have three more contests to score points - and keep an impressive streak going.

Since the Association of Surfing Professionals world tour was started in 1976, at least one Hawai'i surfer has finished in the top 10 of the final rankings every year.

The 32-year streak is in jeopardy this year.

Through the first eight contests on the 2008 tour, Kaua'i's Andy Irons is the top-ranked Hawai'i surfer at No. 13.

His younger brother, Bruce, is No. 14.

Andy Irons was ranked in the top 10 for most of this year, but dropped out this week after a 33rd-place finish in the Quiksilver Pro France. He withdrew from the event before his second-round heat.

Among the other Hawai'i surfers, Fred Patacchia Jr. is No. 18, Roy Powers is No. 23, and Pancho Sullivan is No. 40.

The three remaining contests on the 2008 tour are: Billabong Pro at Mundaka, Spain, next week; Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro at Santa Catarina, Brazil, later in October; and Billabong Pipeline Masters at the Banzai Pipeline on O'ahu's North Shore in December.

BIG ISLAND'S BROWN WINS EVENT IN SPAIN

Casey Brown of Kailua, Kona, won the Nixon Surf Challenge this week at San Sebastian, Spain.

Only 24 up-and-coming professional surfers were invited to compete in the contest.

Brown defeated France's Eric Rebiere in the final to claim the $5,000 first prize.

"The waves were so fun, the food was amazing and I won $5,000," Brown said. "I'm psyched. It was such a great event hanging with all the boys with no pressure. The Surf Challenge was just all about trying to get sick waves."

LONGBOARD SERIES ON STANDBY FOR WEEKEND

The Steinlager Shaka Longboard Series could run this weekend at Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach if conditions are favorable.

It will be the final stop of the five-contest series.

Kamu Auwae of Nanakuli is the current leader in the professional division of the series. Duane DeSoto is No. 2 and Kai Sallas is No. 3.

Most of the state's top professional longboard surfers compete in the series.

For status of this weekend's contest, call 262-8894.