Officially, it is called the Steinlager Shaka Longboard Series.

But the way things have been going this summer, it may as well be called the Duane DeSoto Series.

DeSoto won the pro-am division of the Quiksilver Boardriders longboard surfing contest in 1- to 2-foot waves yesterday at Ala Moana Bowls. It was the fourth of five stops on the 2007 Steinlager Series.

DeSoto has entered the last three events and won them all.

"It's a nice opportunity to make a fast buck," said DeSoto, who received $1,200 for the victory. "I'm just happy I've been here for these events. It's great that we can surf here at home and make a little bit of money for it."

DeSoto, 30, said he works "six to seven days a week" at Bodell Construction, so the contests have become a constructive way for him to make money on his rare days off.

"I have to do what I can to support my family," said DeSoto, who was raised in Makaha, but now resides in 'Ewa. "When I'm tired from work, it's not hard to get motivated. I really look forward to doing contests."

DeSoto won yesterday's contest in convincing fashion. He received scores of 8.67 and 7.5 on his two best waves for a total of 16.17 (out of 20).

"Duane got the best wave in the final," runner-up Genki Kino said. "It lined up all the way and he was milking it, so I had a feeling he won."

DeSoto still breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the results because of a near-interference situation early in the heat. He and Ezra Rodrigues paddled for the same wave, but neither was assessed a penalty.

"I almost blew it on that one," DeSoto said. "I saw him sitting deep, but I went anyway."

He then took the money and ran. DeSoto got on a flight last night for a contest in Tahiti this week.

If DeSoto is the present of Hawai'i longboard surfing, Kino may be the future.

Kino is 17 and a 2007 graduate of Kalani High. Last week, he won a professional contest in Japan, and yesterday was his best showing in a Hawai'i contest.

Kino received scores of 7.83 and 6.67 for a two-wave total of 14.5.

"This is basically my first year of doing pro contests, so I'm really happy right now," he said. "I just won in Japan and I got second today, so we're going to have a party tonight."

Kekoa Uemura placed third and Rodrigues was fourth.

Isaac Kaneshiro from 'Ewa Beach was eliminated in the semifinals but maintained his lead in the overall standings of the Steinlager Series.

The final event in the series is scheduled for either Sept. 8 and 9 or 15 and 16 at Hale'iwa.

IRONS PLACES FIFTH AT SOUTH AFRICA CONTEST

Kaua'i's Andy Irons tied for fifth place at the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay men's contest yesterday.

The final day of the event was completed in 3- to 4-foot waves at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa.

Irons won his fourth round heat in the morning, but was then eliminated by Australia's Dean Morrison in the quarterfinals.

Australia's Taj Burrow won the contest, defeating world champion Kelly Slater of Florida in the final.

Irons defeated Fred Patacchia Jr. of O'ahu's North Shore in the fourth round, 13.66-6.13. It was the first time that the two Hawai'i surfers met in a one-on-one heat.

In another fourth-round heat, No. 1-ranked Mick Fanning of Australia defeated Pancho Sullivan from Sunset Beach.

The contest was the fifth of 10 stops on the 2007 World Championship Tour.

Fanning is ranked No. 1 with 4,860 points. Burrow is No. 2 with 4,286, and Irons is No. 3 with 3,921.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.