Kaua'i's Evan Valiere could be making more money and earning more qualifying points by surfing in Brazil this week.

Instead, he'll be at Sunset Beach for the start of the famous North Shore surfing season.

"I think it's a waste of time competing in waves when it's waist-high," Valiere said. "It's so much more fun surfing here in good waves."

Valiere is the defending champion of the Xcel Pro, which will begin its holding period tomorrow at Sunset Beach. The contest will run on the three days when conditions are best between tomorrow and Nov. 10.

The Xcel Pro, which is running for the 24th consecutive year, is considered the kickoff event of the North Shore season. The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing will follow.

Valiere, 24, earned his first professional surfing victory at last year's Xcel Pro.

"Winning a contest in Hawai'i has always been a big thing to me," Valiere said. "I think everybody who surfs dreams of winning a contest in Hawai'i."

Valiere returned to Kaua'i yesterday after two weeks in the Canary Islands. He placed ninth in the La Santa Pro last week.

"I just wanted to get a little contest rhythm going before I came back home," he said. "I didn't compete much before this month, so it was good to make a couple of heats in that last contest."

Because Valiere prefers to surf in Hawai'i, he does not travel around the world as much as some of his peers. This week, for example, several of Hawai'i's top surfers are in Brazil for another contest.

"My plan this year was to only do a few contests," Valiere said. "It helps me more to stay at home and surf rather than traveling to some other place where I know there's not going to be waves."

What's more, Valiere said he thought it was important for him to defend the Xcel Pro title.

"The biggest thing about winning last year was it gave me a lot of confidence," he said. "It showed that I could do it. Of course, it also helped with the exposure and the sponsors, so that was good, too."

In any case, Valiere is now considered one of the standouts in North Shore waves — a title that may be more significant than any contest.

"I just hope there's waves this year," he said. "Being from Hawai'i, you always want to compete in the biggest and best waves."

But defending the Xcel Pro title is not going to be easy.

The four surfers who made it to last year's final — Valiere, Gavin Beschen, Michel Bourez and Makua Rothman — are entered again this year.

Also in the field from Hawai'i are former world champion Sunny Garcia, 2005 Xcel Pro winner Ian Walsh, 1993 and '95 Xcel Pro champ Kaipo Jaquias, and national amateur champion Tonino Benson.

Leading the international entries is Jordy Smith of South Africa. Smith, 19, is a rising star in his rookie year as a professional surfer.

He is currently ranked No. 1 on the World Qualifying Series, and has already clinched a spot on the elite World Championship Tour for 2008.

For daily status of the Xcel Pro, visit http://xcelwetsuits.com.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.