Lahaina surfer Summer Macedo has been travelling between Maui and Brazil to train and compete, with the goal of earning a spot on the World Surf League’s Women’s Championship Tour.

LAHAINA — The nurturing nature of island culture is manifested here on the West Side in the sparkling surfing career of Summer Macedo.

The 20-year-old daughter of Jennifer and Ronaldo Macedo grew up in the warmth and care of her parents and the Lahaina community to rise up to the highest levels of the Hawaiian sport of royalty.

She currently holds several World Surf League (WSL) titles, including top finishes at the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Junior Championships at Oceanside, California and WSL Junior Pro at Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

She finished her junior career in 2021.

Summer was the Hawaii junior girls champion when she was 12 and won the ISA U-16 World Junior gold medal.

Now she is competing in the WSL Qualifying Series.

Riding 5’6″ designs of various shapers, young Summer began surfing at the age of two in the gentle waves fronting their Puamana home.

More recently, she has been under the tutelage of Pedro Robalinho and Trainer Samantha Campbell at Deep Peak Performance.

Her main sponsors are Maui Jim Sunglasses and Teralite Accessories.

Summer also works with sports psychologist Hannah Huesman for mental training, along with sports management by the Athelo Group.

She enjoys playing ukulele and guitar, and hopes to one day complete a recording.

For now, her main goal is to earn a top six ranking and qualify for the World Championship Tour later this year.

She will travel back and forth from Maui to Brazil to train and compete for these goals.

Most of all, Summer expresses her deep gratitude to her ‘ohana, the people of Lahaina and her mentors — especially four-time Women’s World Tour Champion Carissa Moore.

“I am so grateful to everyone for their kindness to me. This community is like family for me,” she said.