FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aloha Freight Presents the Hawai‘i Pipeline Bodyboarding Championships
North Shore, O‘ahu – Banzai Pipeline
Event Window: February 20 – March 5, 2026
Best 3 Days of Surf Chosen Within a 14-Day Window
Prize Purse: $23,000
The Ultimate Proving Ground
O‘AHU, HAWAI‘I – The iconic Banzai Pipeline on O‘ahu’s North Shore will once again host the Hawai‘i Pipeline Bodyboarding Championships, presented by Aloha Freight.
Scheduled for February 20 – March 5, 2026, this world-class event will run on the best three days of surf within a 14-day window, ensuring optimal conditions at one of the most extreme and revered wave riding arenas on the planet.
Why Bodyboarding Is One of the Most Exciting Sports to Watch at Pipeline
At a venue like Banzai Pipeline, bodyboarding delivers some of the most visually explosive and technically advanced performances in all of wave riding. Unlike traditional stand-up surfing, bodyboarders ride deeper in the barrel and use the wave’s critical sections to launch into high-amplitude aerial maneuvers — including inverted ARS rolls, 360-degree spins, backflips, and gravity-defying combinations performed inside and above the lip of the wave.
Pipeline’s hollow, powerful barrels create a natural amphitheater, allowing spectators and livestream viewers to witness athletes threading impossibly tight tubes before projecting into dynamic, acrobatic air moves. The proximity to the reef and the intensity of the takeoff zone amplify both the technical precision and the visual drama.
Equally compelling is the level at which the women perform. The Women’s Division consistently showcases world-class riding, with competitors executing deep barrel rides and progressive aerial maneuvers at a standard that rivals the men’s field. The parity in performance elevates the overall competition and highlights bodyboarding as one of the few action sports where women compete at an extraordinarily high and visibly powerful level on the same iconic stage.
Whether watching from the beach or via the live webcast at
https://www.hawaiipipelinebodyboardingworlds.com/
Fans can expect a fast-paced, high-impact spectacle that blends athleticism, artistry, and fearless commitment in one of the world’s most legendary surf arenas.
With a $23,000 prize purse, the championships will feature 150 elite competitors from around the globe competing in five divisions:
- Men’s
- Women’s
- Junior Men’s
- Junior Women’s
- Masters
On event days, fans worldwide can watch the LIVE WEBCAST at:
https://www.hawaiipipelinebodyboardingworlds.com/
The official event website will also feature:
- Heat draws and results
- Competitor information
- Event merchandise
- Media updates
- Official announcements
A Rich History at Pipeline
Originally hosted by the Honolulu City Parks Department in February 1971, the event was created to promote water safety and wave awareness. It began as a multi-division competition featuring paipo board riders (the Hawaiian term for bodyboard), bodysurfers, and handboarders, and was open to both men and women.
Notably, this contest was the first-ever wave riding competition held at Pipeline, predating the Pipe Masters by nine months. Over the decades, various organizations have preserved their legacy as one of the most important events in professional bodyboarding.
Legendary Champions & Elite Field
The Hawai‘i Pipeline Bodyboarding Championships have historically attracted the sport’s greatest champions, including:
Men’s World Champions:
- Mike Stewart (9x, Hawai‘i)
- Guilherme Tâmega (6x, Brazil)
- Jeff Hubbard (2x, Hawai‘i)
- Jared Houston (2x, South Africa)
- Armide Soliveres (Canary Islands)
- Tanner McDaniel (California)
- Damion King (2x, Australia)
- Andre Botha (2x, South Africa)
Women’s World Champions:
- Karla Costa (Brazil)
- Neymara Carvalaho (Brazil)
- Ayaka Suzuki Crilley (Japan)
Junior Women’s Champions:
- ‘Aarya Tabalno (Hawai‘i)
- Luna Hardman (Brazil)
Adding to the excitement, professional surfer and Pipe Masters Champion Jamie O’Brien will also be competing, bringing his fearless approach and deep knowledge of Pipeline to one of the most critical arenas in wave riding.
Countries Represented
Top athletes will be representing 20 countries, a truly global field, including:
Argentina
Australia
Brazil
Canary Islands
Chile
Costa Rica
Ecuador
France
Hawai‘i
Japan
Mexico
Panama
Peru
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Reunion Island
South Africa
Spain
Tahiti
US
Competitor Culture Day – Mālama Loko Ea Fishpond
As part of the event’s commitment to Hawaiian culture and environmental stewardship, competitors from around the world are invited to participate in a Competitor Culture Day at Loko Ea Fishpond.
Date: February 28, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
This special mālama ʻāina initiative will focus on restoration work at the ancient Hawaiian fishpond, helping remove invasive grasses and supporting the preservation of traditional aquaculture systems that have sustained communities for generations. The experience provides visiting athletes with a meaningful opportunity to give back to the North Shore community while learning about Hawaiian history, stewardship practices, and cultural values.
Event Organizers
The event is organized by:
- So Stoked Boogie Series
- Kaikeha
- North Shore Surf Girls
Together, these organizations are dedicated to fostering the growth of bodyboarding, honoring the sport’s deep Hawaiian roots, and perpetuating Pipeline’s legacy for future generations.
Stay Connected
Instagram: @hpbc2025
Watch Live:
https://www.youtube.com/@So_Stoked_Boogie_Series
https://www.hawaiipipelinebodyboardingworlds.com/
Heat scores and competitor updates are available via
LiveHeats.
Media Contact
Carol Philips
Cell: 808-779-6222
Email: Carolphilips1@gmail.com
For more information, updates, and highlights, stay tuned as the world’s best bodyboarders take on the legendary Banzai Pipeline in a battle for glory.
Photo Credit: @banzaib
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Event Highlights Gallery
Check out these awesome moments from our 2025 contest competitions.
Watch 2025 Hawaii Pipeline Bodyboarding Championship
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Peru Claims Two Major Titles at the Aloha Freight Hawaiʻi Pipeline Invitational
Banzai Pipeline — The Aloha Freight Hawaiʻi Pipeline Invitational wrapped up three outstanding days of competition on Oʻahu’s North Shore, delivering some of the best surf conditions of the season and showcasing elite bodyboarding at the world-famous Pipeline and Backdoor breaks.
After clearing from a strong tropical storm, the North Shore produced three consecutive days of clean, powerful surf, giving competitors the opportunity to charge heavy barrels and launch aerial maneuvers that thrilled spectators on the beach and viewers around the world. Riders repeatedly pushed the limits of gravity, threading deep tubes and executing advanced aerial combinations that highlighted why bodyboarding at Pipeline is among the most spectacular forms of wave riding.
The contest schedule began with Men’s Trials on March 1, followed by the Men’s Invitational division on March 2, and concluded on March 3 with the Junior Women, Junior Men, Masters, and Open Women divisions.
The event also continued its commitment to equal prize money, awarding $10,000 purses for both the Men’s Invitational and Women’s Invitational divisions, reinforcing the event’s dedication to recognizing world-class performances across both divisions.
Peru Dominates with Two Division Victories
One of the biggest stories of the event was the strong showing from Peru, with athletes capturing two major division titles during the competition.
Micheel Yancce of Peru won the Men’s Invitational division, adding another major Pipeline achievement to his career after previously winning the Junior Men’s division at Pipeline last year. His victory further solidifies Peru’s growing presence in international bodyboarding.
Peru also captured the Junior Women’s division, with Hannah Saavedra earning the win after a highly competitive final. With victories in both the Men’s Invitational and Junior Women’s divisions, Peru delivered one of the most impressive national performances of the event.
Men’s Invitational Results
Micheel Yancce – Peru
Jeffrey Hubbard – Hawaiʻi
David Hubbard – Hawaiʻi
Mack Crilley – Hawaiʻi
Yancce delivered a powerful performance in heavy Pipeline conditions, overcoming a stacked final that included Pipeline veterans Jeffrey and David Hubbard and Hawaiʻi’s Mack Crilley.
Women’s Invitational Results
The Women’s Invitational Final delivered one of the most exciting finishes of the event. Junior World Champion Luna Hardman of Brazil secured the victory in the final minutes of the heat with a spectacular perfect 10-point Backdoor wave, finishing it with an Air Roll Spin, one of the most technical maneuvers in modern bodyboarding.
Luna Hardman – Brazil
Jessica Becker – Brazil
Dulce Aguero – Costa Rica
Bianca Simões – Brazil
Junior Men Results
The Junior Men’s division showcased the incredible depth of talent on Oʻahu, with three of the four finalists coming from the Westside of Oʻahu, highlighting the strong bodyboarding culture of the island.
Caleb Powell – Hawaiʻi
Kekoa Apuna Jr. – Hawaiʻi
Dia Polo Sanz – Hawaiʻi
Kalaʻikoa Uyematsu – Hawaiʻi
Junior Women Results
The Junior Women’s final highlighted the rising generation of female bodyboarders, with Peru’s Hannah Saavedra claiming the division title after a hard-fought final.
Hannah Saavedra – Peru
Nanami Seta – Japan
Kaipoʻi Koa – Hawaiʻi
Sarai Akiona – Hawaiʻi
Aukanaiʻi Koa – Hawaiʻi
Minami Kawashima – Japan
Kailana Tong Matthews – Hawaiʻi
A Spectacular Showcase at Pipeline
Pipeline continues to be one of the most dramatic venues in the world for bodyboarding, where heavy barrels and steep sections create the perfect stage for the sport’s signature aerial maneuvers. Throughout the three-day competition, athletes demonstrated incredible skill, courage, and innovation, delivering a show of world-class wave riding at one of surfing’s most iconic waves.
Event Information
Video and Images
https://spaces.hightail.com/
Complete event results can be found at:
https://liveheats.com/events/
More information about the event, athletes, and official merchandise is available at:
https://www.
Media Contact
Carol Philips
Cell: 808-779-6222
Email: Carolphilips1@gmail.com
Photo Credit: @banzaib