Surfer Poll Awards

After many years of giving back to surf community and beyond, these remarkable women surfers are making huge strides for the female side of the sport, making the waves a friendlier place for water women everywhere and those who want to take up surfing.

How can you NOT vote for these two?

One more year of hard work, sacrifice and sisterhood paid off in what turned out to be an exciting event and an amazing display of talent and drive.’ All divisions put on a great display of determination to find the barrel at one of the World’s best waves.

The bodyboarding final not only turned out to be an international final but each girl is a top rider in their respective homeland. All four girls charged some serious Backdoor barrels and showed off with some high-powered “rolos” to spice things up.

This was a high-scoring final with tight results. Hawaii’s Claudia Ferrari took first place, her first title at Pipeline after so many years of “almosts”. Puerto Rico’s Natasha Sagardia followed her with second place, putting her small island’s name up there with the best.

After an all-Hawaiian Semis and Final, “Miss Pipeline”, young Alana Blachard made this her second win once more, solidifying her status as the “one to beat” for years to come. Leah Dawson claimed second place after quickly finishing her Longboard Final and running to the beach to make this final.

Rochelle Ballard accepted her third place trophy without first expressing her gratitude to Betty Depolito and her perseverance and sacrifice to make this all possible. At 12 years old Kallee Krebbs, took fourth place, becoming the youngest competitor to ripher way to the final. Helena Suehiro was given the “Soap Factory Rookie of the Year Award” for her strong performance up to the Semi finals.

Last year’s Longboard champ Leah Dawson did it again, and claimed first place. This year she made both the shortboard and the longboard finals. Caron Farnham snagged the sickest Backdoor Barrel on her Longboard and received the “Best Ride” award .

After such a great turnout the future looks bright for this event. “Betty is doing an excellent job.” said ASP Hawaii Rep. Faith Wenzl. “This year we had 2 WCT surfers who entered the event, and that makes it even bigger. Its also a good experience for the girls who are not used to ASP rated events. There is definitively a future.”

Competing here is also a great opportunity for girls to come to Pipeline, practice and get used to this difficult break. Girls like Jenna Murad, from San Diego, entered this event for the first time. “My first time surfing Pipe was 4 days ago. I was exited and stoked to surf with Keala in my second heat. I have had the best week of surfing here this past week. I want to surf here more.”

Contest director Betty Depolito has opened the doors for the women who want to perform in this spot. “I am happy with everything. This is a great opportunity for all the girls . It is good for their surfing and good for their positive thinking. As years go by they’ll get more used to the size and position. This year we had big names like Bethany, Rochelle, and Keala who truly appreciate surfing this wave. I’m looking forward to the future.”

Results

Shortboarding
1)Alana Blanchard
2)Leah Dawson
3)Rochelle Ballard
4)Kallee Krebs

Bodyboard
1)Claudia Ferrari
2)Natasha Sagardia
3)Aoi Koike
4)Daniela Freitas

Longboarding
1)Leah Dawson
2)Megan Godinez
3)Candice Appleby
4)Stacia Ahina
5)Mimi Horiguchi
6)Kawehi Whitford

The Cholo’s Women’s Pipeline Pro is set to start on the first day of the waiting period, March 6th, 2007 at Pipeline Hawaii. A perfect wnw swell was generated days ago and is arriving on the North Shore in the 4-6 foot range with possible sets. Conditions look pristine for the 8am start and good conditions should prevail throughout the day. Set to surf are touring WCT surfers Rochelle Ballard and Melanie Bartels along with Keala Kennelly who took off from an acting stint to make the contest at one of her favorite spots, The Banzai Pipeline. This wave has a high scoring potential and is noted for its left and right barreling ride!
Former World Champion Lynne Boyer will also be on hand to witness the historic contest. “It was very RARE in those good olden days to have surf footage and pictures of oneself. Not like today, at all! These girls get to see themselves all over the place, no wonder they can get so good!!!!!! I’m stoked to see just how HOT the women are FINALLY surfing these days. ” The competition will be like no other and the first at Pipeline to have substantial waves for the event in shortboarding. There are three disciplines scheduled, bodyboarding, longboarding and shortboarding. All are being mixed up per day in hopes of bringing the sports together for a great experience. Bodyboading events have been run at Pipeline for over 20 years and they will be charging the biggest waves that come in.
Pipeline is the famous surfing spot in the world to be tested by all. With the help of the local community and The O’Brien family this years gathering should go off without a hitch! Surfinglive.com will be hosting the live webcast. Daily updates will be on Surf News Network, 596-7873. Check banzaibetty.com for info.

http://www.banzaibetty.com/pipecontest2007/index.html

FEBRUARY 23, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WHAT: CHOLOS Women’s Pipeline Pro presented by Heavywater Magazine and TV
WHEN: Waiting period, March 6 – 16, 2007 held on best two days
WHERE: PIPELINE surf break, Ehukai Beach Park, North Shore, Oahu.
WHO: Approximately 110 of the best female surfers and bodyboarders will take on Pipeline.
CONTEST SANCTIONING: Association of Surfing Professionals and International Bodyboarding
Association pro competition.

THE WOMEN’S MASTERS OF SURFING
CHOLOS RESTAURANT SAVES THE DAY
North Shore, HAWAII – Cholos restaurant has come on board to sponsor the Women’s Masters of Surfing the Women’s Pipeline Pro. Steve Ellis a professional skateboarder and sport promoter has been supporting Women athletes for a long time. “ I have always been supportive of the surfers and now is my chance to show it”, said Ellis. Everyone should check out the home-style Mexican cuisine at Cholos in the North Shore Market Place!

More good news for the event. The forecasts for the period look excellent. Pat Caldwell has been watching the patterns and it seems the conditions will change around the beginning of March and he is expecting a good pattern of waves. “We are expecting a WNW to broad NW swell in the 5-7 foot range Hawaiian scale and great conditions, “ exclaimed Contest Director Betty Depolito. “ I am so grateful to have good conditions for the girls after last seasons 45 days of rain. This will play out to be what it should be the best event venue in the world with the potential for explosive international coverage. For the girls that entered it will surely be life changing, this is what we have been waiting for!” The contest is expected to start on the first day of the waiting period March 6th. At this point there is room to enter in all divisions. Heats will be drawn day before the event. The schedule for bodyboarding, surfing and longboarding is not set and will be determined the day of the contest. Call 808-596-7873 for daily information.

The Cholos Women’s Pipeline Pro Presented by Heavywater Magazine wants to thank all the contributing sponsors who are key in production of the contest. They are Seaductive, Liquid Light Images, Surf n Sea, Mendo Mate, the U.S. Army, Crank and Carve, The Duke Foundation, Grind TV and Kona Brewery. Surfboards are being presented by Kimo Greene Surfboards, Ben Aipa and Dewey Weber. Also North Shore Soap Factory has been there for the Women every year, thank you, check out the factory in Waialua. Our new sponsor this year Ratio Fins International is providing trophies and beautiful fins to the event, MAHALO! As well every year Wyland Galleries is there for the first place statues! This should be a great event! T-shirts and posters will be available at http://www.banzaibetty.com/ For additional information check http://www. surfnewsnetwork.com, and live coverage at surfinglive.com. Artwork courtesy of Mitch McEwen, mitchmc@hawaii.rr.com.

See you there!

Find out more about the Duke Ocean Fest and tandem surfing here:
duke foundation

I also had the opportunity to have my company Betty B. sponsor the World Tandem Surfing Championships, which was a very exciting event in the sexy world of Tandem surfing to say the least.

It was very exciting for me to see the men and women of the tandem couples wearing my jewelry throughoout the event. For the first time, I included some men’s styles in my sponsorship package.

I will plan on doing more of that, starting with the C-Street contest this weekend (Sept. 16th and 17th) at Surfer’s Point in Ventura and the Donnie Solomon PRO Am Memorial contest further up the beach from there (Pipe). Click on the links to find out more and how to enter.
C-Street Longboard Contest
Western Surfing Association