In Memory of Mark Drewelow: Interview with the Best Performer of the 2024 World Tour Finals

It is with a heavy heart that we remember Mark Christopher Drewelow, the exceptional athlete and beloved figure in the bodysurfing community, who tragically passed away on March 1, 2025, from a sudden heart attack. A respected and cherished competitor, Mark was recently honored as the best performer at the 2024 IBSA World Tour Finals, a remarkable achievement in his illustrious bodysurfing career.

Born on March 24, 1964, in Kingsville, TX, Mark's journey was shaped by his deep connection to the ocean, a bond that was evident in his life both on and off the water. From his early years as a lifeguard to his later triumphs as a bodysurfer, Mark's passion for the sea defined his life.

Mark’s path to greatness was not just about winning titles but about fostering a spirit of camaraderie within the bodysurfing community.

In this special interview, we celebrate Mark’s legacy as a top performer, his personal journey, and the qualities that made him a true waterman. Through his achievements, passion, and generosity, Mark Drewelow leaves an indelible mark on the bodysurfing world, one that will continue to inspire generations to come. He lived by the motto, "Be Good and Do Good," and his memory will live on as a testament to a life well-lived.

Please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your background in bodysurfing.

My name is Mark Drewelow, aka @SeasideBodysurfer. The handle represents being in the sea anywhere worldwide. 

My earliest memories of bodysufing go back to the late 1960’s living in Hawaii. My father was a Marine F4 fighter pilot. He was stationed at Kaneohe Bay Oahu for 3 years. We lived in an ocean front home with a white water view  on base at North Beach, jump the back fence and 30 seconds to the sand.  My brother and I were on that beach bodysufing and skim boarding and fishing at every opportunity. 

My real formative years as a bodysurfer were living in South Laguna. My home breaks were Salt Creek and Strands and we were at every Wedge swell from 1978 through 1983.

My first bodysurfing competition was Itscoatiara Brazil July of 2016, I made the final. Soon after that comp at Leme Beach Rio I met the inventor of Leblon Fins, Mauricio. He taught me about underwater bodysufing, fin-swimming and streamlined form. I used what Mauricio taught me to completely change how I bodysurf. My first USA comp was at Oceanside in 2017 where I didn't know anyone, I was awarded 1st in my division.

Tell us about your journey to this 2024 IBSA Bodysurfing World Tour Final. What have been the highlights of your 2023 competition season?

My journey to the IBSA Finals was ordinary in the way of competitions and gaining points and being bumped up to team USA as an alternate. The best qualifying event I entered was the amazing Zicatela Open at Puerto Escondido during late August 2023. 

My journey to the finals was unordinary in the way of my personal challenges. Late Dec 2023 I suffered a massive stemi heart attack in the hospital after a self checking in, 100% blockage of the right coronary artery. After coming out of emergency surgery all I could think about was my wife and daughters, and how to be ready in 5 months for the Finals. By early Feb 2024 with my cardiologists blessing I was back in the water getting stronger every day.

How have you specifically prepared for this final at Point Panic, Hawaii, and what strategies do you plan to use to tackle the waves in this region?

Before the finals I had never been to Point Panic. Watching videos only prepares us in a small way. I arrived there 8 days before the start of the holding period to acclimate. Thanks to the advise and mentorship of the early morning crew, my learning was accelerated. From my practice sessions I quickly determined that the setup of the judges and how the wave breaks favors underwater bodysufing techniques. The judges are elevated and close to the prime riding zone with excellent viewing of underwater elements.  Additionally, underwater streamlined form for strategic bursts of speed will get me into perfect position and through sections and out of barrels, the most important strategy. And I decided to go for the # NoSpinWin to set me apart from other athletes.

How important is the diversity of competitors from 15 different countries to you? How does it influence the competitive spirit and camaraderie on the World Tour?

The international nature of the competition was exceptionally great. The qualifying series ensured that the talent level was very high. Seeing different techniques and styles from around the world was both quite impressive and inspirational. Meeting other athletes and looking them in the eye and talking knowing you are head to head with him and two others in the next heat is empowering.

Can you share an anecdote or memorable moment from your experience during the 10 IBSA BWT QS Events that led you to this final?

The Zicatela Open at Puerto Escondido was not a qualifier for me, but the event had incredibly fantastic surf and was very well run. The left at Punta was an outstanding canvass for the competitors to show off skills and fitness level. Rides of 150-200 meters were common. I think that Zicatela will be a future World Tour Finals site. It's the most reliable surf spot in the world for consistency of high quality surf, size and beautiful off shore conditions every morning.

How did you discover your love of bodysurfing, and could you describe your home break?

Growing up board surfing, competitive swimming and waterpolo, and lifeguarding… bodysurfing is a natural add on. My home break has a variety of distinct waves in a small area within a 1 minute swim. Off shore reef, inside lefts and rights. As long as the wind is off shore or it's glassy, we have quality high performance  waves.

What advice would you give to young bodysurfers aspiring to compete in international competitions like the IBSA Bodysurfing World Tour?

A few key points of advise for young aspiring Bodysurfers:

1. Find a mentor/coach. Us old athletes have a lot of knowledge to pass on and would love to help the next gen excel. 

2. Sign up for a private or group gymnastics class to learn about tumbling, flipping and how to use body momentum for specific purpose. The skills learned are super impactful on pulling off bodysurfing trucks while maintaining momentum. 

3. Study and get competent at the sport of fin-swimming. 

4. Study and master underwater streamlined form.

For those who achieved the highest scores during the finals, we would love to include your reflections on this incredible accomplishment. Please feel free to share any additional insights or highlights about what this milestone means to you and how it reflects your dedication to the sport.

During my first heat I secured the highest heat score of the entire event. Wave #1 - 8.17. Wave #2 - 9.1. Total of 17.27.

My strategy was to showcase underwater streamlined form to setup tube rides and gain more speed which equals more choices.  

Wave #1. This was not a set wave. It setup in classic mid Panics form and I thought it may have the end bowl tube as well. I did a long drawn out underwater during which I rotated 90 degrees to do a couple of powerful verticle fish kicks. It's better to do these verticle and not horizontal so the fins don't break the surface and kill thrust.  

I rotated back to horizontal and popped out to a classic flying squirrel where most my body emerged from the water. 

After a short distance planning i looked down the line and could see the end tube setting up but I needed more speed to get there. I submerged again, stayed horizontal and fins broke surface but did give me enough trust/ speed boost to get to where I needed to be and enter the tube backdooring it. Upon exit from the tube I did a layback and the wave ended. This was less than a head high wave and gave me the perfect canvass to showcase specific skills that I am good at.

Wave #2 was my next wave and also not a set wave. On this one I could sense that it would be a good tube ride from the start if I could get enough speed to start the tube section in the right location to allow for exit.  

I did a short underwater for a burst of speed and launched out of the face in the right spot. The lip immediately came over and I executed a stall to pull me higher up in the tube in order to retain speed. A split second later the foam ball grabbed me and pushed me out of the tube onto a clear face. 

I saw an opportunity to hit the lip and angled up to hit it which was a bit off on the timing and I ended up too deep in the whitewater. I managed to struggle out of the white water with big kicks and enter into the tiny tube at the end.  

The two rides showcased various important skills (underwater take off, verticle fish kick, flying squirrel, stall, tube ride, lay back, off the top) and highlighted the fact that spinning is not required to score high on waves. 

Being able to secure the highest heat total of the finals has been my greatest bodysufing achievement. We were all presented the same opportunities to score.  The waves pumped for the entire event. In my second heat I was going for a 10 point ride. I was confident that by running the same no spin routine on a set wave, the judges would have awarded a 10. But I could t get a set wave and I waited too long and my run was done.  

The Finals at Point Panic will forever be known as the greatest bodysurfing competition ever. It was a unique performance not just by the athletes but also by mother ocean. It was an honor to be part of it.