There will be a new women¹s world champion of longboard surfing in 2009.

'Aina Haina¹s Joy Monahan, the 2008 world champ, was upset in the first round of the Roxy ASP Women¹s World Championship today.

The opening day of the contest was run in 1- to 2-foot waves at Biarritz, France.

California¹s Summer Romero upset Monahan, 12.75-11.5. Monahan needed a score of 6.66 to win the heat in the closing minutes, but her final wave received a score of 5.4.

In past years, eliminations did not start until the second round. But this year, the field was reduced from 48 to 32, and eliminations started in the first round.

Hawai'i surfers Kelia Moniz, Geodee Clark and Miku Uemura advanced to the second round.

Moniz was one of the standouts of the first round, receiving a two-wave total score of 13.25. At 16, she is the youngest competitor in the event.

Crystal Dzigas of Honolulu was eliminated in the first round.