The first day of the International Bodyboarders Association Sandy Beach Challenge went off Saturday in 1- to 3-foot waves at Half Point.
Bodyboarders from all parts of the world converged on the shallow reef break, pulling into barrels and launching into the air on many occasions. It was an action-packed day with some big names mixing it up with the kids of the future.
The Sandy Beach Challenge is the first event of a two-part tour with hopes of four or more events for next year.
Six-time world champion Guilherme Tamega of Brazil was one of the standouts to advance into the final day. It was not an easy heat for him, but a bit of luck pushed him through.
"Everybody was waiting for the rights and I saw a couple really good lefts breaking and no one was looking at them," Tamega said. "This left came and I thought I am just going to try to see what happens because it’s kind of hard to read the waves out here. I tried and it was worth it. I got good speed, a good ramp and did a big airs (air-roll-spin). That wave pushed me into first place. It feels great."
One of the young Hawaii bodyboarders to advance was Matt Holzman of Kauai.
"I am feeling good and focused," he said. "Half Point is a fun wave because it’s a punchy left and right, which is good for bodyboarding. It’s hollow and kind of tricky because there is a current that goes through which sweeps you off the peak so you have to be on your game.
"I like this contest because it’s an opportunity for all the bodyboarders in Hawaii to show their talent. This tour is what bodyboarding needs to get bigger."
Maui’s Jacob Romero advanced with the second-highest heat score of the day (16.33 out of 20).
Romero scored an 8.33 (out of 10) ride for performing a back flip, followed by and el rollo in the air.
"My strategy was just to get in the air and that’s what I did, so I am stoked," Romero said.
Competition resumes today.
