MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- Bodysurfing the perfect wave is challenging. Finding a big, glassy hollow wave to ride to shore may require more luck than skill. When a bodysurfer finds a wave up to their riding standards, they have to time their launch, pick a direction to swim and position themselves to flow both downward and sideways with the wave.
Marine Corps Base Hawaii hosted the 8th annual Pyramid Rock Bodysurfing Championship at Pyramid Rock Beach, Jan. 18. The event was open to military personnel and the public, giving everyone the opportunity to find their perfect wave.
The idea for the base to host a bodysurfing contest came from Ben Mercier. As a member of the Hawaii State Bodysurfing Association and a retired captain with 3rd Marine Regiment, Mercier had the unique perspective needed to build the concept for a contest the installation continues to this day. Keeping with many of his original ideas, all proceeds go to the Wounded Warriors Detachment Hawaii.
The tournament was originally a two-day event, but was condensed into one day. At 9 a.m. the sun filled the sky as viewers and competitors began to occupy the parking lots and beach.
All participants were placed in one of six groups to even the playing field. The age groups were: 18 and under, 19-25, 26-34, 35-49, 50 and up. All female contestants, regardless of age, were grouped into one category.
After several heats, the top six or seven contestants from each group competed for top finalist. The top finisher, competed against each other to be the grand champion of the competition.
Colored head caps on the competitors helped judges decipher who they were scoring throughout the afforded 15 minutes time limit in each heat. The time increased to 20 minutes in the final rounds. Judges scored the best three out of 10 waves ridden by each contestant for every round. The score was determined by wave size, length of ride, maneuvers and tube time.
A flag system showed participants how much time they had left in each round. A green flag was used to show the start of the heat, a yellow flag represented five minutes or less and the red flag meant the round was over.
Several contestants came from all over Hawaii to participate in the contest.
“I traveled all the way from the Big Island just for this event,” said Jeff Devins, a retired sailor. “I’ve been bodysurfing for many years now and having the opportunity to come on the Marine Corps base to ride some of the best waves on Oahu is a blessing. It’s a great tournament and I think it’s fantastic that all the proceeds go to wounded warriors. Bodysurfers are a rare and small group. We are dedicated and love the sport. There isn’t much I’d rather do.”
“The waves were excellent and perfect for bodysurfing,” said Ian MacDonald, a base lifeguard and the grand champion who was awarded Hawaiian prizes like wood carvings and paintings. “It’s good to see that everyone had fun, but I’m especially proud that no one got hurt. The only reason I’m any good is because of the training I get from lifeguarding.”
Several lifeguards said this is one of their busiest days of the year. They agreed the event as a whole went very well and everyone had a safe and fun day.
The next bodysurfing competition is planned for January 2015.