Sorry for the lack of update, we went on a little trip to the south coast in Oz and didn’t get much time and much chance to find some internet connection anywhere !
The Pipeline Pro is just around the corner now, it’s the first event for the 2011 season on the IBA tour and it’s the most prestigious event for sure.
Below is a little recap of what’s gonna happen, sounds awesome !
International Bodyboard Association Pipeline Pro
Banzai Pipeline, North Shore Oahu, Hawaii
Feb 12th-25th 2011
The revamped 2011 International Bodyboard Association (IBA) World Tour will be unveiled in February when the first Grand Slam gets underway at Pipeline in Hawaii with the IBA Pipeline Pro.
Pipe has long been the holy grail of International bodyboarding and a massive rollup of the world’s best is expected for the event. Like the roots of a family tree, Pipeline sits deep in the heart of Bodyboarding origins. Dating back over 30 years to Tom Morey’s first hand made performance bodyboards, through to today’s elite aerobatics, Pipe has been there and is regarded as the longest running world tour contest in history.
This year the contest will feature a Men’s, Women’s and DK Grand Slam all under the one umbrella. An exhibition Masters event will also be held.
“We have some amazing plans for this years event” said IBA Tour manager Terry McKenna.
The LIVE web-cast will be the most ambitious ever undertaken by IBA with multi-camera angles and replays just some of the features. Manny Vargas will again be the anchor for the web-cast and will also host a new TV documentary series that will follow all GSS events in 2011.
After the success of Fronton the team at Redbull Media House has again backed the event and viewers will be able to watch the action LIVE on www.redbull.com/tv
The action will begin on February 12th with a two-day trial at Sandy beach on the South Shore. This event will allow for unlimited Women and Drop Knee riders and up to 64 Pro men.
From this, the Top 16 Pro men will enter the main event at Pipeline along with the top 3 Women and top 4 Drop-knee.
“These spots will be treasured” said McKenna.
“Just to surf Pipe with only three other riders is most bodyboarders idea of a dream.”
The event wildcards are as follows
Men
Locals - Kainoa McGee & Jarret Lau
International – Alistar Taylor (SFA), & Jason Finlay (Aust)
Women - Lilly Pollard (Aust), Steph Pettersen (Brz), Claudia Ferrari (Haw)
DK – Mason Rose (Aust), Paul Roach (USA), Matt Lackey (Aust), Nick Trotter (Haw), Kainoa McGee (USA), Cassidy Sonoda (Haw), Jacob Pembroke (Haw), Bud Miyamoto (Haw)
The event this year will offer both GSS (Grand Slam Series) and GQS (Global Qualifying Series) points to the riders.
In the Men’s division GQS points will start at the trials and carry through to Round 6.
From Round 7 the points will be GSS right up to the final.
Another feature of this year’s IBA Pipeline Pro will be a showcase of the rich history of the event with a special “Masters Final” featuring several former champions. This will see all past winners of the prestigious Pipeline Pro event competing in 2011.
Michael “Eppo” Eppelstun (Aust) Daniel Kaimi (Hawaii) Steve “Bullet” MacKenzie (Aust) & Ben Severson (Haw) will all take to the water in an exhibition that will take place on the last day before the Men’s final.
The event check-in will be on Friday 11th February in the Ehukai Beach Park and the trials will be held the following morning on the South side at Sandy Beach.
This year we have a corporate partnership with Aqua Hotels and Resorts and they have some great accommodation available on the South Shore for the trials and after party.
