ExplorerGirls

Somehow we missed adding this to our Action Sport news reports in Extremely Sport but we think it's still worth sharing with ExplorerGirls. Girls are kicking ass in surfing and there are more and more reputable contests for girls to compete in all the time.  

North Shore's Pipeline Women's Pro is huge and so is the caliber of girl's talent that surfs in the contest. We are also really proud because one of our ExplorerGirls members Suzy-Annick made a contribution with her art to the contest trophies.  

I had the pleasure of meeting Suzy-Annick by chance while working at Whistler during the Olympics this year and she is one rad chick, traveling the globe surfing and creating beautiful art.

Make sure to read up on the Pipeline Women's Pro and say hello to Suzy-Annick here (and check out her awesome oceanic art) at ExplorerGirls.com! 

North Shore Soap Factory Pipeline Women's Pro 2010

Ehukai Beach Park, North Shore Oahu
5 - 19 April 2010

Taylor and Ashley take the Pipe title

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 20 April, 2010 : - - Karla Costa Taylor and Anastasia Ashley won the North Shore Soap Factory Pipeline Women's Pro today in 3-5 foot surf at the Banzai Pipeline. Dominant rights were the factor today as strong trade winds swept down the beach pushing the nw swell that came in. "I worked really hard in the final, I could not find a wave for 8 minutes", said bodyboarder Taylor.

" I finally took a right and got a score but I never thought I won it. It is nice to be back in Hawaii and competing, this was a good come back after having two kids." Taylor is a former World Champion and has won the event twice in it's 21 year history.

Anastasia Ashley won in the shortboarding division. Ashley who now lives in California is a former Hawaii local. "I think this event is great for the sport. The final was tough, it's still a tricky reef when it's smaller and it helped that I have been practicing all week", said Ashley. Both Women won $1,000.00 for their efforts. Taylor also took home the Wyland "Aloha Award" for her great attitude and support.

The event is the only Women's contest at Pipeline and organizers waited until the last day to run the competition. Heavy winds, big NE swells and massive sand build-up delayed the start. It was the best possible day to hold the contest.

Anastasia Ashley, Backdoor. Photo Bernie Baker

Rochelle Ballard was a stand out in the tribe of 50 girls snagging the best tube ride and a special Wyland award for "best ride". She ended up in fourth place over all. In second was Paige Alms from Maui, third went to Bailey Nagy, all were from Hawaii. In Bodyboarding Jade Robles, Hawaii 2nd, 3rd went to Sari Ohhara from Japan and fourth Lumar Guittard, Venezuela. 

The event is a dedication to the memory of Josie Over. See more about Josie on pipegirls.com.

Sponsors: North Shore Soap Factory, Surf N Sea, XCEL, Heather Brown Art, Kona Brewery, Hawaii National Guard, Chromaco, Surf News Network, Flhi Girls TV, Tropical Blends Surf Shop, Josie Over Memorial Fund, AWB, Outrigger Duke Foundation, Wyland Galleries Haleiwa, Maui Jim, Breakers Restaurant, Ace Cool, Pipeline, Banzai Prods.,

Menehune Water, Dr. Loralei Felix, Dr. Dao, Honey Girl, Shannon O Art, Hilton Alves Art, Clark Takashima Art, Suzy-Annick Art, Daniela Arriaga Art, Derrick Ontiveras Art, Airwalk Shoes, Volcom, Keep the Ocean Blue, North Shore Tow-In Championship, Airwalk, Positive Energetics Foundation, banzaibetty.com, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women

A special thanks to Hilton Alves for his artwork at the park! hiltonsurfart.com.br

www.pipegirls.com
www.northshoresoapfactory.com

www.ExplorerGirls.com / CourtneyCrow

Images: Pipeline Women's Pro

(Karla Costa Taylor & Anastasia Ashley : photo Bernie Baker)