Brazil’s Isabella Sousa and South Africa’s Sacha Specker wrapped up titles in the International Bodyboarding Association’s Pipeline Pro on Saturday.
Sousa won the women’s division and Specker took the drop-knee division in tricky 3- to 5-foot waves. It was both competitors’ first win at Pipeline.
Sousa is a former world champion and was visibly stoked over her accomplishment.
"I am so happy," Sousa said. "Winning at Pipeline is so incredible because it’s the best place to win. All the girls want to win here. It’s my fourth time competing here and it’s my first time (making) the final. There are many girls who are very good, so it is very difficult. I want to thank my family, God, sponsors and friends for all their support."
Sousa won the final with a combination of powerful and progressive moves. Her winning wave was a left at Pipeline, where she started off with big air-roll-spin and followed it up with a couple of snappy reverse 360s.
"I train to do the ARS every day because I think it’s a good move," Sousa said.
Karla Costa Taylor (Brazil) came in second. Minami Hatakeyama (Japan) took third, with Neymara Carvalho (Brazil) in fourth.
The men’s drop-knee final featured three riders from Hawaii and one from South Africa. Most people had their money on a rider from Hawaii, but it was Specker, the South African, coming out with the win for a pair of nice drop-knee tube rides.
"I am over the moon right now," Specker said. "It was an absolute honor to be in the final with those guys, especially because they are the best drop-knee riders in the world, hands down. I consider myself lucky; everything just went my way. I don’t know what to say, I am just so stoked, happy, thankful and honored."
Bud Miyamoto placed second, followed by Miles Kauhaahaa and Kainoa McGee.