Salt Creek Bodysurfing Contest launches the 2025 BWT Qualifying Series for North America

USA BodySurfing launched the 2025 BodySurfing World Tour - Qualifying Series (BWT-QS) for North America on April 4th at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point, CA. Salt Creek was the first of three BWT-QS events to be held in California this year.

The conditions were ideal for competitors and spectators. Consistent 2-4 foot waves with no wind and sunny skies prevailed all day. The contest honored the legendary bodysurfer Mark Drewelow, who grew up in Dana Point and recently passed away on March 1, 2025. Drewelow was also the coach of the current USA National Team representing North America that will be competing in the BWT Finals later this month in Australia.

The top four finalists in each division received awards. All competitors are included in BWT rankings for the North America Region. The five regions in the BWT include North America, Latin America, Europe/Africa, Hawaii/Polynesia, and Australia/Asia. At the conclusion of the BWT Qualifying Series the top ranked bodysurfers from each region compete at the BWT Finals.

Four divisions of competition at Salt Creek included:

Men Open

Women Open

Girls Under 18

Boys Under 18

USA BodySurfing is now planning for the next BWT-QS contest taking place on October 12 in Del Mar, CA. The third and final QS event for North America will be at the Huntington Beach Pier in November in co-location with the ISA Para Surfing World Championships.

Sponsorship opportunities exist for all local and national entities. Sponsors and contributors can contact vince@usabodysurfing.org for further details. USA BodySurfing is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all individual donations are tax deductible.

Finalists at Salt Creek

Men Open

1st. Shayne McIntyre (La Jolla, CA)

2nd. James Fenney III (Vista, CA)

3rd. Darren Moody (Lompoc, CA)

4th. Dylan Biggerstaff (HAWAII)

Women Open

1st. Michelle Urkov (Huntington Beach, CA)

2nd. Meredith Rose (Del Mar, CA) 3rd. Christina Gasparich (Los Angeles, CA)

4th. Calla Allison (San Clemente, CA)

Girls Under 18

1st. Michelle Urkov (17 - Huntington Beach, CA)

2nd. Coral McIntyre (17 - La Jolla, CA)

3rd. Georgia Murray (15 - Carlsbad, CA)

Boys Under 18

1st. Brady Campbell (16 - Dana Point, CA)

2nd. Samuel Sharpe (15 - Norwalk, Connecticuct)

3rd. Brayden Brisbois (15 - San Clemente, CA)

Michelle Urkov (17) finished in 1st place in Women Open and Girls U18 (Photo by Duncan Selby).

Men Open finalists. L-R: 1st-Shayne McIntyre, 2nd-James Fenney III, 3rd-Darren Moody, 4th-Dylan Biggerstaff (Photo by Bill Schildge).

Women Open finalists. L-R: 1st-Michelle Urkov, 2nd-Christina Gasparich, 3rd-Meredith Rose, 4th-Calla Allison (Photo by Bill Schildge).

Girls U18 finalists. L-R: 1st-Michelle Urkov, 2nd-Coral McIntyre, 3rd-Georgia Murray (Photo by Bill Schildge).

Boys U18 finalists. L-R: 1st-Brady Campbell, 2nd-Samuel Sharpe, 3rd-Brayden Brisbois (Photo by Bill Schildge).

IBSA Ranking

OPEN MEN

1. Shayne McIntyre (USA) 1000

2. James Fenney III (USA) 860

3. Darren Moody (USA) 730

4. Dylan Biggerstaff (USA) 670

5. Tim Burnham (USA) 610

5. Thomas Gomes (USA) 610

7. Hunter Schoonover (USA) 555

7. Jake Shaffer (USA) 555

9. Chris Ford (USA) 500

9. Greg Wilkinson (USA) 500

9. Caleb Hogle (USA) 500

9. Jason Napolitano (USA) 500

13. Edward Sweeney (USA) 450

13. Pat Malo (USA) 450

13. Bryan Knowles (USA) 450

13. David Curry (USA) 450

17. Brett Templeman (USA) 400

17. Dylan Frisch (USA) 400

17. Connor Cosby (USA) 400

17. Patrick Byron (USA) 400

21. Tony Sholl (USA) 380

21. Spencer Dunlap (USA) 380

21. Joel Tarquin (USA) 380

21. Wyatt Tillotson (USA) 380

25. Thorsten Hegberg (USA) 360

25. Josh Clark (USA) 360

25. Steve Gleason (USA) 360

25. Bill Barber (USA) 360

25. Durdam Rocherolle (USA) 360

25. Greg Hurst (USA) 360

25. Hayden Michael (USA) 360

25. John Black (USA) 360

33. Austin Quigley (USA) 320

33. George Burtless (USA) 320

33. Paul Byrne (USA) 320

33. Don Cheetham (USA) 320

33. Scott Wagner (USA) 320

33. Curtis Marker (USA) 320

33. Ray Sullivan (USA) 320

33. Rex Sample (USA) 320

41. Peter Williams (USA) 280

41. David Armenta (USA) 280

41. Jamie Schnick (USA) 280

41. Wyatt Joyce (USA) 280

41. Ian Moore (USA) 280

41. Lee Mench (USA) 280

41. Wes Biggerstaff (USA) 280

41. Stephen Taylor (USA) 280

OPEN WOMEN

1. Michelle Urkov (USA) 1000

2. Meredith Rose (USA) 860

3. Christina Gasparich (USA) 730

4. Calla Allison (USA) 670

5. Natalie Fenney (USA) 610

5. Sara Kennedy (USA) 610

7. Sunceray Richard (USA) 555

7. Grace Brossa (USA) 555

9. Hannah Walsh (USA) 500

9. Joanne Zachau (USA) 500

9. Georgia Murray (USA) 500

9. Esme Lombard (USA) 500

13. Kelly Fitzgerald Canby (USA) 450

13. Coral McIntyre (USA) 450

13. Angie Evans (USA) 450