O'BRIEN RIGHT AT HOME

More than a dozen surfboards were crushed by the waves today, but incredibly there were no serious injuries. New Zealander Blair Stewart faired the worst in round four, suffering a horrible wipeout on a 15-foot wave that bounced him tailbone first into the reef. He was able to make his way in to the shore where he received medical attention. Unfortunately he had earned enough points to advance to the quarter finals but was unable to return to the water. At last report, Stewart was off to receive X-rays to ensure there was no serious damage.

Kainoa McGee (Honolulu) had a near-death experience in the semi-finals after diving under a huge close-out wave that pinned him underwater for so long he ran out of air. A world-class body-boarder who made his pro-surfing debut this week, McGee was awesome in every round. But the semi's shut him down.

"That's the closest I've ever come to death," McGee said. "I dived down under one of those huge sets and it all turned to black. The wave pinned me down and tried several times to get to the surface, then I felt the wave pull my board and drag me under again. I ran out of air and it is just black. I had given up when I finally got to the surface. By then I was way down the beach and it took forever to get out again." In fact, McGee's wipeout was such an ordeal that even though he eventually made it back out, he never managed to post a single score during the heat.

Every single surfer's performance was worthy of individual mention today.

In the arena of world class professional sport they proved so much:

• Surfing is a sport that demands incredible athleticism and peak physical conditioning.
• Professional surfing extends far beyond financial reward and recognition - you would be hard pressed to find anyone that would paddle out into Pipeline as it was today and takeoff on the biggest sets going for a possible $7,000.
• Every surfer out there showed that they were willing to pay the ultimate price for the ultimate ride, just for the sake of proving it to themselves.

The $50,000 Hansen's Energy Pro is a 3-star World Qualifying Series event sanctioned by the Association of Surfing Professionals. It offers critical points towards qualifying for the World Championship Tour, which crowns the world champion of surfing each year. In addition to the surfing competition, Hansen's this week launched a 3,000,000 nationwide can campaign featuring the Hansen's Energy Pro logo and the wording: "Pipeline Hawaii".

Hansen's Beverages, by Hansen Natural Corporation (NASDAQ: HANS) is a 70 year-old California based brand with a reputation for delivering the highest quality beverages. Hansen's Energy Drinks are just one part of an extensive drink and juice line that includes juices and non-carbonated drinks, sodas, and specialty and nutrition drinks.

Digital photographs are available. Please contact Carol on (818) 970-7770 or email:

For more information about the Hansen's Energy Pro: Jodi Young Tel: (808) 258-8533.

Final Results:

• 1st. Jamie O'Brien (Haleiwa) $7,000 10.9 points
• 2nd. Bruce Irons (Hanalei, Kauai) $3,500 9.9 points
• 3rd. Joel Centeio (Haleiwa) $2,500 7.7 points
• 4th. Jamie Sterling (Haleiwa) $2,000 6.4 points