Mike Stewart won the last of his record nine bodyboarding world championships in 1995.

Fourteen years later, he's in position to win another.

In a victory for the ages, Stewart won the Arica Chilean Challenge men's bodyboarding contest last week at Arica, Chile.

The win vaulted Stewart into the No. 1 spot on the International Bodyboarding Association's 2009 World Tour. Stewart is 46 years young.

"I think it's pretty cool, actually," said Stewart, who is from Kailua, Kona.

There are two significant contests remaining on the 2009 tour — one in Portugal at the end of this month, and the tour finale in the Canary Islands in December.

"Portugal is going to mean a lot for anyone currently in contention," Stewart said. "It will be a numbers game after that."

Stewart is already the greatest competitor in the history of bodyboarding. He won his first world title in 1982, and has been competing ever since.

But this may be his best shot at a 10th world title in the past 10 years. He finished 2008 ranked No. 10.

"Nothing different," Stewart said of his physical preparation for this year. "It's just that it seems the training I have done is finally paying off."

It paid off in Chile, where wave-face heights got as high as 12 feet, and the water temperature was in the low 60s.

Stewart defeated Kaua'i's David Hubbard in the one-on-one final.

"Stoked to go up against another Hawaiian in the final," Stewart said. "Up until that point, it was mostly Australians that I competed against."

Brazil's Guilherme Tamega is ranked No. 2. Tamega is 36, meaning the two oldest competitors on the tour are atop the rankings. Tamega's six world titles is currently second to Stewart's nine.

"It would be a dream to beat GT on this tour," Stewart said.

Kaua'i's Jeff Hubbard is No. 4, and younger brother David is No. 10.

Jeff Hubbard won the previous tour stop in Peru.

TOP HAWAI'I SURFERS ENTERED AT BOWLS

Some of Hawai'i's best professional surfers are scheduled to compete in the inaugural Sponsor Me Hawai'i men's contest, which could start this weekend.

Hawai'i standouts Roy Powers, Pancho Sullivan, Ian Walsh, Marcus Hickman, Evan Valiere, Ola Eleogram and Flynn Novak have registered to compete.

The event will run at Ala Moana Bowls when conditions are best between tomorrow and Aug. 22.

The contest is sanctioned by the ASP's World Qualifying Series, and will offer Hawai'i surfers a rare opportunity to earn points on the WQS.

"For sure, Hawai'i is in dire straits," said WQS manager Al Hunt. "World Qualifying Series are in decline ... it's a serious worry."

In addition to earning points on the WQS, the top surfers from the event can qualify for the 2009 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.

INOUYE RAISES MONEY FOR JUNIOR LIFEGUARDS

Reid Inouye raised $1,800 for the Hawai'i Junior Lifeguards program through a grueling stand-up paddleboard race.

Inouye completed the 32-mile Rainbow Sandals Moloka'i to O'ahu Paddleboard Race on July 26. Prior to the race, he asked for donations and called his journey "Buck A Mile."

"The Buck A Mile paddle was one that was well worth the punishing crossing," said Inouye, who completed the course in 8 hours, 5 minutes, 19 seconds.