The women have taken over the Banzai Pipeline for the next two weeks as 150 participants compete for the title in the 23rd annual SeaHawaii Women’s Pro. The holding period began Thursday and lasts until March 15.
The contest boasts $30,000 in cash and prizes as well as valuable ratings points toward qualifying for the world tour. It is an Association of Surfing Professionals one-star rated event for the women’s short board division, as well as a United States Bodyboarding Association rated contest for the women’s bodyboard division.
It is a unique event that allows the women an opportunity to charge the Banzai Pipeline with only a few other competitors out in the water. Pipeline is considered one of the most dangerous waves in the world, with a pecking order second to none.
"Women don’t really have many chances to prove themselves," said Kauai’s defending champion, Tatiana Weston Webb. "This event provides that for us. Women think of it as a really big opportunity to show their talent."
Contestant Keala Kennelly, considered by many as one of the best female tube riders in the world, said: "I got to do it my way. I just got to wait for the perfect barrels or I am not satisfied. I hope they come to me this year. Pipeline is the ultimate proving ground and I think it is great for our sport to give the women a crack at it in a contest."
The contest began as a bodyboard-only event, so it’s only natural that the women bodyboarders will be in full force with many local and international contestants.
Defending champion bodyboarder Karla Costa Taylor from Brazil said, "This event is my favorite. I feel an extra ease going into it. It’s weird — an excitement with joy at the same time. You can never be too comfortable. It is never easy. It is always a challenge, and I love challenges. I hope all the girls have a blast surfing Queen Pipeline."
This year’s event also features a two-star ASP-rated junior women’s division and a three-star ASP-rated junior men’s division. This is a first for the event. There are not many ASP-rated junior contests in Hawaii, so the points from this event will help them qualify for the world stage.
"All of our surfers need more rated contests to be competitive on the World Tour. This would really help in that arena. I am happy to say that these events incorporate the community contingent as well as an international gathering of athletes," contest director Betty Depolito said.
Last year’s runner-up in short boarding, Brianna Cope, recently won the North Shore Surf Shop Jr. Pro at Sunset and is set to tango.
"This means good points for my junior career. I just want to get some real tubes. I am stepping it up," Cope said.
Some big names entered in the women’s division are Weston Webb, past champion Anastasia Ashley and big-wave surfer Kennelley. Costa Taylor, current world champion Eunate Aguirre and Leila Alli are headliners for the women’s bodyboard division.
