Found these stories by Dayton Morinaga in the Honolulu Advertiser’s online edition:

Female wave-riders will get the famous Banzai Pipeline all to themselves during the Tidal 9 Pipeline Women’s Pro.

The contest will run on the three best days between March 31 and April 14.

“It’s a chance for the girls to surf Pipe by themselves — no guys,” contest director Betty Depolito said. “That itself makes it a great opportunity.”

The event will feature three divisions — shortboard surfing, longboard surfing and bodyboarding.

The shortboard and longboard divisions will offer points on the ASP World Qualifying Series.

The bodyboard division will be the first event on the 2009 IBA Women’s World Tour.

“We’re expecting 180 girls, total,” Depolito said. “The number of girls who want to surf Pipe is growing every year. It shows how much progress is being made.”

Surfers expected to compete in the shortboard division include Carissa Moore, Keala Kennelly, Bethany Hamilton and Rochelle Ballard.

In the bodyboard division, 2008 world champion Neymara Carvalho of Brazil will be the top seed.

The name of the contest is a play off Title IX, the legislation that created equal opportunities in athletics for males and females.

“It’s not just a surf contest; we want to educate and bring awareness to the girls,” Depolito said.

The contest will also serve as a benefit for Girl Scouts of Hawai’i and Camp Paumalu.

For more information, visit www.pipegirls.com.

Stewart wins bodysurf event

Mike Stewart of the Big Island won the Quiksilver Ke Kaha Nalu Hanana ‘O Ehukai bodysurfing contest last week. The one-day event was run in 1- to 3-foot waves at the Banzai Pipeline.

Stewart dominated the six-man final, finishing with a total score of 54 points. Jeff Hubbard of Kaua’i placed second with 37.5 points.

Both Stewart and Hubbard are better known as former world champions in professional bodyboarding.

Ikaika Kalama placed third, followed by Kenny Rust, Steven Hong and Kyle Foyle.