The Monster Energy Pipeline Pro provided more than just a $50,000 prize purse this week.

It offered several Hawai'i surfers a chance to earn a coveted invitation to the prestigious Billabong Pipeline Masters contest in December.

Although both contests are held at the famous Banzai Pipeline, the Pipeline Masters is considered a bigger contest because it counts toward the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing as well as the World Championship Tour.

"The Pipe Masters is like the highest goal in surfing for a lot of us," Kaua'i's Dustin Barca said.

Pancho Sullivan of Sunset Beach won the Monster Energy Pipeline Pro on Wednesday, but he is a member of the World Championship Tour and is already assured entry into the Pipeline Masters.

Nonworld-tour surfers from Hawai'i — such as Barca — who fared well on Wednesday received invitations to the Pipeline Masters.

Other Hawai'i surfers who received invitations include Makuakai Rothman, T.J. Barron, Marcus Hickman, Ian Walsh, Ola Eleogram, Kekoa Bacalso, Nathan Carroll and Jesse Merle-Jones.

Eleogram, who is from Maui, won the Todd Chesser Memorial Sportsmanship Award for his performance at Pipeline this week.

At least six other Hawai'i surfers will be chosen later.

As the so-called "Pipeline Specialists," they will take on the world's best surfers in December.

The Pipeline Masters is the only contest on the World Championship Tour that allows the hometown surfers to earn special invitations.

BODYBOARDING WORLD TOUR WILL START HERE

The world's best bodyboarders will take over the Banzai Pipeline, Feb. 17 to 24, for the IBA International Pipeline Pro.

The contest will serve as the opening event of the International Bodyboarding Association's 2008 world tour.

Australia's Ben Player, the 2007 world champion, will be the top seed for the contest.

"I really enjoy Hawai'i," Player said. "It's always been a great testing ground for me and I am hoping for another great start to the year."

Kaua'i's Jeff Hubbard, the 2006 world champion, will lead the Hawai'i contingent. He won the Pipeline contest last year.

Mike Stewart of Kailua, Kona, is also expected to enter. He is an 11-time former Pipeline Pro champion.

There will also be a women's division, and 2007 world champion Neymara Carvalho of Brazil will be the top seed.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.