2016 World Bodysurfing Championships: you don't need much to ride a wave | Photo: WBS

Nearly 400 bodysurfers from all corners of the planet competed at the 2016 World Bodysurfing Championships, at Oceanside Pier, California.

The old art of bodysurfing never dies and the 40th annual World Bodysurfing Championships proved, once again, that you don't need much to ride a wave. And for the purists, this is what surfing is all about.

Bodysurfers are judged on how well they bodysurf during their heat. Judges scrutinize wave selection, quality of takeoff, position in the wave, style, length of the ride, maneuvers, and originality.

A perfect performance equals a 10-point ride, and the top three waves are added together to determine the final score. Interestingly, athletes are not allowed to shoot the pier, but they can an should use bodysurfing fins.

The 2016 World Bodysurfing Championships had eight male divisions and six female divisions. The winner of each age division went on to the grand final.

Mike Stewart added another world title to his trophy room; Makena Magro took out the Women's grand final. The conditions ranged from mushy two-footers to hollow four-foot rollers.

"I quickly learned why they called this a swim meet: 15-minute heats, beach start, and top three waves. So, it was total frenzy," said Mike Stewart.

2016 World Bodysurfing Championships | Results

Grand Final Winners: Mike Stewart and Makena Magro

Men 12-14
1. Alexander Makshanoff, 61.5
2. Fisher Geary, 55
3. Daniel Thurmona, 53.5
4. Matthew Black, 5
5. Weston Homer, 42
6. Cruz Beer, 32

Women 12-17
1. Lauren Padilla, 73.5
2. Fiona Schmidt, 62
3. Alice Latuf, 62
4. Lauren Schmidt, 57.5
5. Katie Cunningham, 57.5
6. Madison Garrette, 57

Men 15-17
1. Dylan Biggerstaff, 90.5
2. Jack McCloskey, 84
3. Augie Cunningham, 55.5
4. Dylan Delaney, 52.5
5. Tyler Sande, 49
6. Wyatt Bates, 44.5

Men 18-24
1. Cole Margo, 72
2. Parker Richardson, 69.5
3. Tom Marr, 66
4. Christian Ogawa, 65.6
5. Stewart, Hooks 59
6. Dylan Trumbull, 24

Women 18-29
1. Makena Magro, 75
2. Angela Oschmann, 73.5
3. Krista Johnson, 70
4. Natalie Pompa, 67.5
5. Therese Ackman, 66
6. Kaitlin Margo, 20

Men 25-34
1. Alexander Vicente, 81.5
2. Daniel Ender, 76
3. Joel Bandina, 75.5
4. Curren Batel, 74
5. Brenden Beer, 72.5
6. Matt Pifer, 70.5

Women 30-44
1. Scotti Shafer, 75.5
2. Calla Allison, 70.5
3. Hanna Brown-Damron, 62.5
4. Lucy Bell, 47.5
5. Sunny Richard, 24
6. Julia Witton (?)

Men 34-44
1. Matt Solomon, 82.5
2. Dave Ford, 82
3. Chris Ford, 81.5
4. Jay Estabrook, 79
5. Greg Edmonston, 76
6. Brett Templeman, 72

Women 45+
1. Briguette Wiedemeyer, 66.5
2. Patty Mackle, 63.5
3. Meredith Rose, 59.5
4. Mariah Smith, 53
5. Sue Scatolini, 42
6. Lisa Bye, 35.5

Men 45-54
1. Mike Stewart, 79
2. Jae Marr, 70
3. Patrick Casinelli, 62
4. Donald McCredie, 48.5
5. Casey Pepe, 41
6. Patrick Shannon

Men 55-64
1. Mark Cunningham, 84.5
2. Shawn O'Gorman, 76.5
3. Bruce Robbins, 69
4. Vern Rogers, 65
5. Chris Lafferty, 63.5
6. John Shearer, 48.5

Men 65+
1. Jim Isaac, 38.5
2. John Rogers, 33.5
3. David Hazard, 30.5
4. Gary Perkins, 28
5. Philip Sinatra, 15
6. Mark Johnson (?)

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