Whether bodysurfing or bodyboarding, Mike Stewart continues to master the competition at the Banzai Pipeline.

Yesterday, it was bodysurfing as Stewart won the Honolua Surf Co. Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic for a record 11th time.

The one-day contest was run in small waves of 2 to 4 feet.

"It was pretty dismal as far as conditions," said Stewart, who was raised in Kailua, Kona, but now resides on O'ahu's North Shore. "My mindset was just to find waves. It was pretty tough to find some good ones."

Stewart was able to find the best ones throughout the day as he dominated the quarterfinals, semifinals and final.

"I never feel like I'm winning when I'm out there because you don't really know what's going on," he said. "But I felt confident my surfing was being rewarded after that (quarterfinal) heat."

Stewart, 44, won his first Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic in 1991. The event is held in high regard in the sport because it offers a rare chance for bodysurfers to ride the famous Pipeline waves.

"This is sort of like the pinnacle event for bodysurfers," contest director Alan Lennard said. "It's probably frustrating for the competitors to go out on a day like this, but it adds to the spectrum of what you have to do to win. I'm amazed that these guys are performing the way they are."

The contest featured bodysurfers from Hawai'i, California, Australia, Brazil, France and Japan.

The French contingent had a strong showing, with Frederic David placing second and Jonathan Despergers seventh.

"It's not big waves like we wanted, but this is still a magic wave," Despergers said. "Everybody in the world wants to participate here."

Gavin Kennelly of Kaua'i was third, and Steve Kapela, who won the event in 2006, placed fourth. Former winners Mark Cunningham and Todd Sells took fifth and sixth, respectively.

The Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic was created in 1971, but did not run last year due to a permitting issue.

"It was very important for us to get it back," Lennard said. "The bodysurfers really look forward to this one day every year."

Stewart received $1,000 for the victory. He is also an 11-time champion of the Pipeline Pro bodyboarding contest.

Stewart will enter the Pipeline Pro bodyboarding event later this month.

"That's actually my focus right now," he said. "But bodyboarding is good practice for bodysurfing, so that probably helped me get ready for this."

DEFENDING CHAMPION ADVANCES IN SURF HEAT

The fourth round of the Billabong Monster Energy Pipeline Pro men's surfing contest was also run yesterday at the Banzai Pipeline.

Defending champion Jamie O'Brien had a near-perfect ride of 9.0 (out of 10) to win his heat.

"It becomes more about luck when it's this small," he said. "But you can still put yourself in the right position to make the right thing happen."

Dustin Cuizon of 'Ewa Beach had the best heat of the day, receiving a two-wave total of 17.85.

The final day of the contest is expected to run today. For status of the event, call 638-7874 or visit www.billabongpro.com.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.