It's still early in 2007, but Kaua'i's Jeff Hubbard wouldn't mind achieving all his goals for the year before Jan. 16.

Hubbard clinched a national bodyboarding championship last week, and he's in the running for a world title at the upcoming Rockstar Games Pipeline Pro contest.

The Pipeline Pro is the final event of the International Bodyboarding Association's 2006 world tour.

It will run on days when the waves are favorable at the famous Banzai Pipeline between today and Jan. 16.

"I've had chances (at the world title) in the past," said Hubbard, 30. "But this is probably my best one. It seems like my chances get better every year as I improve."

Hubbard enters the Pipeline Pro ranked No. 1. Australia's Ryan Hardy is a close No. 2, and has the best shot at overtaking Hubbard for the world title.

"Ryan surfs pretty well out at Pipe, too, so it'll be exciting," Hubbard said. "But I can't focus on him. I have to focus on Pipe, and look to win the contest myself. If I keep advancing to the final and win the contest, it doesn't matter what (Hardy) does."

Hubbard is seeking to become the first Hawai'i bodyboarder to win a world championship since 1995.

Legendary bodyboarder Mike Stewart from Kailua, Kona, was the last Hawai'i bodyboarder to win the world title.

"It's been way overdue," Stewart said. "And Jeff would be a deserving champion. He's the most technical guy in the world right now, as far as the maneuvers he's doing and where he's doing them. Nobody's even close."

Hubbard has been in the top 10 of the world rankings since 2002, but 2006 has been his best season. He won two contests, finished second in two other contests, and placed third in another.

Last week, he clinched the United States Bodyboarding Association national championship by placing fifth at the Water Channel Ledges Pro off Kahului Harbor, Maui.

Hubbard also took over the No. 1 world ranking last week from Australia's Hardy because Hardy was eliminated early in the Maui contest.

Stewart, who owns a record nine bodyboarding world championships, said Hubbard's success has come through patience — and talent.

"It's hard, sometimes, for some guys to conform to the competitive format and be successful in contests," Stewart said. "But I think Jeff is starting to figure it out, and once he gets it down, he's going to be real hard to beat because he's hard to beat already."

Hubbard won the Pipeline Pro in 2003, and he said he is hoping for a large swell to hit O'ahu's North Shore in the coming days to help his chances this time.

"Nothing would be sweeter than to win Pipe and the world title on the same day," he said. "It's something I want pretty bad."

However, there are many spoilers in the field.

Australia will bring a strong contingent, including Hardy, 2005 world champion Ben Player, and three-time former Pipeline Pro champion Damian King.

Brazil will also have several contenders, including former world champions Guilherme Tamega and Paulo Barcellos.

Other contenders from Hawai'i include David Hubbard — Jeff's younger brother. David clinched the national championship in the drop-knee division last week on Maui.

Stewart, who has won the Pipeline Pro a record 11 times, is still considered a contender as well.

"I have a lot more experience at Pipe than the other guys, so I'm more confident there than anywhere else," he said.

STEWART WARMS UP WITH WIN ON MAUI

Mike Stewart proved at age 43 that he is still among bodyboarding's best last week.

He defeated several of the world's top-ranked competitors to win the Water Channel Ledges Pro off Kahului Harbor, Maui.

"I was surprised to even make it out of my first heat," he said. "But then I kept making it through heats, and then I was in the final."

Waves were in the 4- to 6-foot range, and Stewart scored a near-perfect 9.83 (out of 10) for a long barrel ride to clinch the victory.

"Bodyboarding is a fountain of youth," Stewart said. "I don't think I'm as fit and flexible as some of the guys like Jeff (Hubbard), but I'm still strong, and I stay in shape. I think a lot of it has to do with experience and base moves."

Mark McCarthy of South Africa was second, followed by Australia's Dave Winchester and Brazil's Magno Oliveira.

Ricky Alvarez from Hawai'i won the drop-knee division, and Jessica Becker from Brazil won the women's division.

Most of the top professionals who will enter the Pipeline Pro were on Maui for the contest.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.