A weekly feature about surfing in Hawai'i. Submit comments or story ideas to dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 535-8101.

Female wave-riders will get the famous Banzai Pipeline all to themselves during the Tidal 9 Pipeline Women's Pro.

The contest will run on the three best days between March 31 and April 14.

"It's a chance for the girls to surf Pipe by themselves — no guys," contest director Betty Depolito said. "That itself makes it a great opportunity."

The event will feature three divisions — shortboard surfing, longboard surfing and bodyboarding.

The shortboard and longboard divisions will offer points on the ASP World Qualifying Series.

The bodyboard division will be the first event on the 2009 IBA Women's World Tour.

"We're expecting 180 girls, total," Depolito said. "The number of girls who want to surf Pipe is growing every year. It shows how much progress is being made."

Surfers expected to compete in the shortboard division include Carissa Moore, Keala Kennelly, Bethany Hamilton and Rochelle Ballard.

In the bodyboard division, 2008 world champion Neymara Carvalho of Brazil will be the top seed.

The name of the contest is a play off Title IX, the legislation that created equal opportunities in athletics for males and females.

"It's not just a surf contest; we want to educate and bring awareness to the girls," Depolito said.

The contest will also serve as a benefit for Girl Scouts of Hawai'i and Camp Paumalu.

For more information, visit www.pipegirls.com.

STEWART WINS BODYSURF EVENT

Mike Stewart of the Big Island won the Quiksilver Ke Kaha Nalu Hanana 'O Ehukai bodysurfing contest last week. The one-day event was run in 1- to 3-foot waves at the Banzai Pipeline.

Stewart dominated the six-man final, finishing with a total score of 54 points. Jeff Hubbard of Kaua'i placed second with 37.5 points.

Both Stewart and Hubbard are better known as former world champions in professional bodyboarding.

Ikaika Kalama placed third, followed by Kenny Rust, Steven Hong and Kyle Foyle.

MCNAMARA FINALIST FOR RIDE OF THE YEAR

Garrett McNamara of Sunset Beach is one of five finalists for the Billabong XXL Ride of the Year Award.

The finalists for the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards were announced this week. The Ride of the Year is considered the top category, and offers a $50,000 first-place prize.

McNamara was nominated for a wave he rode at Teahupoo, Tahiti, last April.

The other finalists are California surfers Brian Conley and Greg Long, and Australians Ryan Hipwood and James Hollmer-Cross.

McNamara was also nominated in the Monster Tube category, along with Sunset Beach's Mark Healey.

The winners will be announced on April 17 at a ceremony in Anaheim, Calif.

AROUND TOWN

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KEIKI BIKE AND SHOE DRIVE SET FOR APRIL 4

A bike and shoe donation drive is scheduled for April 4 at McCully Bicycle and Sporting Goods to benefit youths who need equipment for the Meadow Gold Kids Triathlon.

Meadow Gold, Kalihi Education Coalition and Kalihi Valley Instructional Bike Exchange will conduct the drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The drive seeks bikes that are new or "gently" used in serviceable condition. Running shoes should be in sizes for 7- to 14-year-olds.

Monetary contributions will be accepted and used for purchase of bikes, shoes and safety helmets.

The triathlon is May 2. For registration details, go to www.lanimoo.com.

RUNNING

• The President Sue Wesselkamper 5K Fun Run/Walk is scheduled for April 25 through Kaimuki and Palolo Valley, Chaminade University has announced. The university renamed the event to honor Wesselkamper, the school's late president, who died in January. The run begins at 8 a.m. from the Chaminade campus, and is open to the public. Registered runners will receive a T-shirt. Refreshments will be served and awards given to the top finishers. Cost is $17. For details, contact Be-Jay Kodama, Chaminade alumni relations director, at 739-8526 or bkodama@chaminade.edu.

• The County of Hawai'i Fire Department is sponsoring its ninth annual EMS 5K Family Run/2-Mile-Walk/Keiki Fun Run, May 24 at Lili-'uokalani Park in Hilo. Proceeds benefit the Big Island Chapter of the American Cancer Society and also help a firefighter/paramedic who is battling cancer. The cost is $20 for adults, $10 for youths, students and seniors (60 and older). Entry deadline for a shirt is May 18. Applications are available at Spencer Health and Fitness Center, the Fire Administration office at Puainako Center, any district fire station or by calling 808-981-8394.

SAILING

• FujiSankei Business i, the newspaper segment of FujiSankei Communications Group of Japan, will be the title sponsor of the sixth annual Waikiki Offshore Series, which will be held July 22-26. The races will take place between O'ahu and Maui and will include a 145-mile Moloka'i Race, a 40-mile medium distance race and six windward-leeward races. Perpetual and take-home trophies will be presented for first overall, combined offshore races, combined inshore races and first in the Molokai race. For information go to: www.waikikioffshores.com.

BASEBALL

• ABD Hawai'i Baseball will be hosting a 14U ABD Hawai'i Select Tournament at the Waipi'o Baseball Complex during Memorial Day weekend. Teams interested in participating can contact Paul Tamashiro at 216-1395 or abdhawaii@hawaiiantel.net.

SOCCER

• Six Bob Barry Goalkeeper Clinics — four on O'ahu and one each on Maui and the Big Island — will be held between June and November. The clinics are open to ages 8 and older with participants grouped according to age and ability. The cost is $130. Each participant receives a clinic T-shirt, ball, a copy of "Winning Goalkeeper Training," and a written evaluation of the two-day training. For details, contact Barry at 808-236-4515 or 808-265-4249 or barryr003@hawaii.rr.com.