Kaua'i's Malia Manuel had the spring break of her young life last week.

Manuel took her first international trip, and then won a prestigious surfing contest.

"It was amazing," said Manuel," who is 14 and a freshman at Kapa'a High. "It was my first trip out of the country, so that was fun by itself. Then to win the contest ... it's mind-boggling."

Manuel won the girls division of the Rip Curl GromSearch International Final at Bells Beach, Australia.

It is considered one of the top contests in the world for surfers age 16 and younger. Surfers have to qualify to represent their respective countries.

Manuel, for example, won two contests to earn the trip to Australia. She won an event in Hawai'i, then another one in California to earn the right to represent the United States at the Rip Curl GromSearch.

There were also champions from Australia, Brazil, South Africa and New Zealand.

Manuel said the ocean at Bells Beach was "super cold, but the waves were still fun."

In the four-girl final, Manuel took the lead late in the heat, then held on for the win.

"There weren't that many good (wave) sets for our final, so I just took what ever came to me," Manuel said. "I couldn't believe I won it."

The international final was held during the Rip Curl Pro surfing contests, so the top male and female surfers from around the world were there to watch.

Manuel said she got to surf next to women's world champion Stephanie Gilmore of Australia during one of the off days.

"I met so many people and I saw a lot of the pros," Manuel said. "It was such a fun experience."

Based on her recent results, Manuel's pro career may not be that far off. Two months ago, the surf company O'Neill signer her to a sponsorship contract.

"I first saw her surf two years ago, and I could see she was already smooth and her surfing was so progressive and fast," said Karin Kendrick, the O'Neill director of women's athlete marketing. "We have 15 or so women on our team, including a lot of pros, and I would put Malia near the top of the list right now as far as her surfing ability."

It has come with a lot of practice. Manuel said she surfs practically every day at various surf spots around Kaua'i.

On the day she returned to Kaua'i from Australia this week — after more than 15 hours of travel time — Manuel headed straight for the beach.

"I had to go," she said. "It feels so good to be home."

However, Manuel will have more opportunities for travel this year. In May, she will be part of the Hawai'i team that will compete in the World Junior Championships in France. In June, she will compete in the NSSA National Championships at San Clemente, Calif.