Joy Monahan became the first Hawai‘i surfer to win the Association of Surfing Professionals Women’s Longboard Championship yesterday when she defeated Australia’s Chelsea Williams, in France.
“I am super stoked, I cannot believe I won the championship,” Monahan said in a post-surf interview. “Chelsea is one of the best surfers in the world and it was one of the most difficult heats to win. I got good waves and was very focused for the win.”
The 22-year-old Monahan, daughter of Mark and Liane Magelssen of Hanama‘ulu, secured her first pro win with a solid 14.10-heat tally in the 30-minute final, which ended at around midnight Hawai‘i time.
“I won most of the heat, but Joy got two good ones in the dying seconds,” Williams said in a release. “I tried to take the bigger waves at the very end but it was not enough. I am still happy with my result and hope I can do better next year.”
Earlier in the competition, the full-time Brigham Young University student upset the reigning world longtime champion Jennifer Smith in the semifinals.
“I was very surprised to defeat Jennifer (Smith) in the semifinals,” Monahan said. “I had a great week in Biarritz and it ends up perfectly. It is like a dream coming true and it is great to bring this world title home. So stoked.”
This caps a good week in Hawai‘i surfing for the girls. Carissa Moore recently won the Roxy Pro Junior event, also held in France.
Monahan’s previous finishes in the longboard competitions were ninth place in 2006 and fifth in 2007.
Magelssen said yesterday that he and his wife were up in the late hours of the night watching Monahan surf on the computer.
“I’m the proudest father right now,” Magelssen said.
He said he was happy for this accomplishment because being that she’s still a full-time student in Provo, Utah, Monahan rarely gets the opportunity to surf. She is pursuing a degree in accounting and hopes to later work in the surfing industry on the business side.
Her husband is Drew Monahan and the two hope to back on Kaua‘i by next week.
ASP Women’s World Longboard Championships
Wednesday, July 15
Final
Joy Monahan (HAW) 14.10 pts Def. Chelsea Williams (AUS) 13.50
Semifinals
Heat 1: Joy Monahan (HAW) 13.50 pts Def. Jennifer Smith (USA) 12.20 pts
Heat 2: Chelsea Williams (AUS) 15.00 pts Def. Leah Dawson (USA) 7.35 pts
Quarterfinals
Heat 1: Joy Monahan (HAW) 16.25 pts Def. Rachel Barry (USA) 8.85 pts
Heat 2: Jennifer Smith (USA) 14.40 pts Def. Kassia Meador (USA) 9.75 pts
Heat 3: Leah Dawson (USA) 11.65 pts Def. Justine Dupont (FRA) 10.75 pts
Heat 4: Chelsea Williams (AUS) 12.65 pts Def. Julie Cox (USA) 8.20 pts
