Oct. 9 was a memorable day for the Hubbard family of Lihu'e, Kaua'i.

Jeff Hubbard and younger brother David won bodyboarding contests in different parts of the world on that day.

"We didn't find out until the next day," their father Mark said. "We were pretty impressed."

Jeff won the Arica Chilean Challenge in Chile. David won the Miyasaki Pro in Japan.

"On my way back from Chile I checked my e-mail and found out David won his event," Jeff said. "So I e-mailed him back and told him I won, too. It was pretty cool."

Jeff said his initial plan was to compete with David in the Miyasaki Pro. However, officials of the Chile event offered Jeff an all-expenses paid trip, so he took that instead.

"The waves are better in Chile," Jeff said. "The water was a little cold, but the waves were pretty powerful — probably 4 to 6 feet."

Jeff received $650 for his victory. David surfed in smaller waves in Japan, but got the bigger paycheck — $3,500.

Jeff, who turns 30 today, moved up to No. 2 in the International Bodyboarding Association World Tour rankings. Uri Valadao of Brazil is No. 1.

The 2005 world championship will be decided at the final event at the Banzai Pipeline on O'ahu's North Shore this winter.

"I've never been this close before," Jeff said. "So I'm real excited to have it come down to Hawai'i."

David, 23, is still working his way up the ranks. The contest in Japan was his first competition outside of the United States.

"We think it's great that they're both doing this," their father said. "We've always encouraged them to do what they wanted and they're doing it."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.