The Xcel Pro has developed a reputation in recent years as a launching point for some of Hawai'i's best young professional surfers.

Several candidates for this year's title were on display yesterday as the opening day of the 24th annual Xcel Pro was run at Sunset Beach.

The first round and half of the second round were completed in "clean" conditions — offshore winds and wave-face heights that ranged from 3 to 10 feet.

"It's small for Sunset, but it's clean, so there's some fun waves out there," Raymond Reichle said after winning his second-round heat. "I'm almost happy it's not real big yet because then it would be my first session in big waves for the year. This is a good way to start — just warm up."

The Xcel Pro is considered the kickoff event for the famous North Shore surfing season.

Last year, Kaua'i's Evan Valiere won the Xcel Pro. In 2005, Maui's Ian Walsh won it.

It was the first professional victory for both of those surfers.

Other surfers who won the Xcel Pro at a young age include Andy Irons, Bruce Irons, Fred Patacchia Jr. and Pancho Sullivan.

"This is definitely a good contest for the younger guys," Reichle said. "There's not that much pressure, so I just try to think of it as another day of surfing."

Reichle grew up surfing at Sunset Beach, and he said the waves there can be difficult at any size.

"I got pushed on my first wave on my dad's board right here, when I was 2 years old with the water wings on," Reichle said. "But it's still a hard place to surf. Anybody can win it here."

Other young standouts yesterday included Maui surfers Dusty Payne and Luke Walsh.

"I've been practicing here all week," said Payne, 18. "But it was still tough. Sunset is probably the trickiest wave in the world and I don't think anybody is going to master it, besides Michael Ho."

Payne is hoping for a good showing in the Xcel Pro to boost his career, and to help his family. Four months ago, the garage and guest studio of his parents' home in Lahaina was burned to ashes during a raging brush fire.

"Luckily, our house was OK," he said. "But it's still going to take a lot of money to build again."

Luke Walsh is the younger brother of 2005 Xcel Pro champion Ian Walsh. Luke said his brother's victory is providing confidence for both of them.

"I feel like I can beat him, so that means I have a chance, right?" Luke said.

Another young standout yesterday was Joel Centeio of Makakilo. He received a near-perfect score of 9.67 (out of 10) in his second-round victory, and his two-wave total of 18.84 was the best of the day.

Not to be outdone by the young surfers, one veteran competitor was up to the challenge: Sunny Garcia of Wai'anae won his first-round heat.

Garcia, who won the Xcel Pro in 1992, and then the world title in 2000, was competing in Hawai'i for the first time since serving a three-month prison sentence for tax evasion.

Garcia competed in several surfing events in California in recent months, but yesterday was his first heat on the North Shore since last November.

The top seeds in the contest received byes yesterday, including previous champions Valiere and Ian Walsh.

At least two more days of competition are required to determine this year's champion. The contest will run again when conditions are favorable. For status of the contest, call 596-7873 or visit www.xcelwetsuits.com.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.