Sells has barrel of fun at Pipeline
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Todd Sells has been training in giant waves, and it paid off yesterday when he took down one of the giants of bodysurfing.
Sells won the prestigious Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic for the first time yesterday, ending a four-year reign by Mike Stewart.
The contest was completed in spectacular surf of 6 to 10 feet at the Banzai Pipeline, with some wave-faces as high as 15 feet. The only equipment competitors were allowed to use was swim fins.
"I'm surprised more than anyone else," said Sells, who is from Sunset Beach. "I was telling everyone before this contest that no one can beat Mike Stewart. When it comes to Pipeline, he can do things that are inhuman."
Stewart, who is more widely recognized as a former world champion bodyboarder, has won the Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic a record 10 times.
The contest is regarded as one of the best events in the world for bodysurfers because it offers them a rare chance to ride the famous barreling waves.
Sells, 37, said he practices bodysurfing at Pipeline when ever the waves are big.
"This was like a medium day for me, so I felt comfortable waiting for the bigger ones," he said. "I don't do any tricks. I can't spin around like some of the other guys. So that's why I only like bodysurfing when it's big."
His approach was simple — swim into the biggest waves and ride through the barrel. In the final, he received a perfect 10 for one long barrel ride.
"I knew that was a good one," Sells said. "I got completely barreled and spit out the other end. I was so happy, I didn't know what to do."
Stewart tried to rally by completing some of the spinning maneuvers only he seems able to do. However, he said he ran out of stamina in the final.
"I can usually tell when I'm in a rhythm, and I wasn't," said Stewart, who is also from O'ahu's North Shore. "I pretty much knew I didn't win."
Stewart said he went tow-in surfing on Saturday and "felt all beat up" yesterday.
But Stewart still finished a close second.
"It's not the first time I lost out here, so it's OK," he said. "This is more of a fun thing for me."
Honolulu lifeguard lieutenant Mark Cunningham was third, followed by Phillip Deras of Oregon, Rogerio Schefler of Brazil and Keith Malloy of California.
Sells said his preparation for the event was his strength. When not bodysurfing, Sells is a professional model and stuntman, so part of his job is to maintain his physical fitness.
"I spend most of my days running and swimming and stuff like that," he said. "So if I did have an advantage, it's that I knew I would be physically fine all the way through."
Because the waves were so big, several competitors fatigued by the end of the day.
"It's not easy getting pounded by these waves and swimming around and around looking for the next one," Stewart said. "The conditions were really good, it was just hard to keep getting in position for the good ones."
No prize money was awarded, but Sells said the first-place trophy he received was more than enough.
"What we did today was as fun as it gets," he said.
Final results
1, Todd Sells. 2, Mike Stewart. 3, Mark Cunningham. 4, Phillip Deras. 5, Rogerio Schefler. 6, Keith Malloy. 7 (tie), Matias Hegoas and Jeff Johnson. 9 (tie), Stephane Clement and Kai Santos. 11 (tie), Steve Kapela and James Comfort.
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
