He proved it today by winning the men's division of the Sandy Beach Pro. The contest was held Saturday and today in treacherous waves that ranged from 2 to 5 feet at Sandy Beach.

Moribe, 26, returned to competitive bodyboarding last year after a self-described retirement from the sport.

Yesterday was his first professional victory.

"I had to do the 9-to-5 job thing," he said. "So I took a couple years off and didn't do any contests. But I'm getting back into it. I practiced really hard for this one."

The Sandy Beach Pro was the first of six events on the United States Bodyboarding Association's 2007 National Championship Tour. The tour will also feature contests in New York, New Jersey, California and Maui.

Moribe — who was raised in Kapaa, Kauai, but now resides in Kapahulu — upset six-time former world champion Guilherme Tamega of Brazil in yesterday's final.

"I honestly thought Tamega was going to win," said Moribe, who received $1,000 for the victory. "But I'll take it."