After a knee injury from a simple warm-up session at beginning of his ’08 season Dusty battled back to have an amazing year. And now, as evident by his recent surge at both the Junior and WQS level, he’s shed the knee-brace, regained his momentum, and most importantly, discovered a new appreciation for simply being able to go out and perform the way he wants to. Nowhere was this more apparent than the Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge! Dusty barreled, aired, and blasted his way to victory to claim the world’s biggest ever payday for a pro junior. “It’s the best contest I’ve ever surfed in,” said Payne, who won a wildcard to the event after placing third at the USA Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge Qualifier at the 6.0 Lowers Pro. Not bad considering this was more the first contest he’s won in 8 years. Dusty then followed this up with a remarkable showing at the Triple Crown of Surfing in Hawaii, making the final at Sunset and demonstrating to the world that he’s no slouch during the Pipe Masters.