Good news, the IBA Pipeline Challenge is eventually back after being cancelled a couple days ago, and it will be a Full GSS IBA World Tour Event! Super cool!
From the IBA site: 2013 IBA Pipe Challenge Officially Re-Instated to Full GSS IBA World Tour Status
Following on from yesterday’s update, the IBA are pleased to confirm that the 2013 IBA Pipe Challenge has officially been re-instated to full GSS IBA World Tour Status for all 3 divisions.
The last minute sponsorship discussions that took place on the back of the wide spread and positive support of the bodyboarding community, has resulted in a great outcome for the athletes and fans of the IBA World Tour.
The sponsorship support has come from various companies and a full press release will be coming early next week to identify and acknowledge this much appreciated support.
At this stage it can be confirmed with certainty that the Grand Slam Series (GSS) status will be re-instated for the Mens, Womens and Drop Knee Divisions and they will proceed in the original event window of February 16 – March 1. The trials event will commence on February 16 at Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of Hawaii.
Check in for all riders will be held on the 14th February 2013, with further details to follow in the coming days.
There will be a minimum of 3 full days of professional live streaming of the event.
“Once again, the IBA would like to thank the large and passionate bodyboard community for the positive efforts by the majority of followers to work towards an outcome in light of the situation with the 2013 Pipe Challenge. It is a proud day to be a bodyboarder. We look forward to providing you with further updates in the coming days. See you in Hawaii.
Further updates will be provided Monday afternoon Hawaiian time.”
This is seriously catastrophic for the IBA 2013 tour as Pipeline is obviously the one and only wave that NEEDS to be surfed on the world tour, its the shiz niz of waves, the one and only banzai pipeline. IBA stated it’s a lack of support from the industry and sponsors that forced them to cancel the event. If only one contest was to be kept alive on the tour it’s Pipeline! Why not push the event to the end of the 2013 calendar and save time to try to find more sponsors and keep the event alive?
From the IBA site this morning: It is with great disappointment that the IBA announce the cancellation of the 2013 Pipe Challenge in Hawaii that was scheduled for February 2013.
The 2013 Pipe Challenge has been forced to be cancelled as a result of the complete lack of industry sponsorship for the event.
The IBA had been in sponsorship discussions with industry companies and out of industry companies for a period of over 6 months. There were a number of positive leads that have fallen away over December and January for various reasons, the most recent being this week. All options have been explored to continue with the running of the event, though the decision taken to cancel the 2013 IBA Pipe Challenge.
“The industry needs to support the IBA World Tour to ensure growth and prosperity for this sport. It’s a sad day for the IBA, its athletes and supporters.” – IBA World Tour Manager, Alex Leon
The Men’s and Women’s 2013 IBA World Tour is now scheduled to commence in Australia in April 2013, with further details to be confirmed in the coming weeks. The DK World Tour kicks off in Peru in March 2013.
For further updates please refer to www.ibaworldtour.com and www.facebook.com/ibaworldtour
Black Rock with Ben Player is a chapter from the Tales of a Dream film
A film by Robert Sherwood
Tales of a Dream takes you on a journey into the big blue and explores the beauty of riding a wave with a few selected ocean wranglers. It captures incredible imagery in the South Pacific and Down Under on the coastlines of NSW and South Oz. Tales of a Dream tells a story of an addiction and a passion for the ocean.
Featuring: Mike Stewart, Garth McGregor, Ben Player, James Nymeyer, Jase Finlay, Michael Novy and more…
Special offer for Aussies – DVD for $22.00 and free postage within Aus. Deal ends on the 31st of this month. – ORDER YOUR COPY OF THE FEATURE FILM ‘TALES OF A DREAM’ AT Lyfestore.com.au
Happy New Year everyone! Thanks for checking the site out, for your support and feedback! Let’s hope 2013 brings another great year for waves, trips and stuff, another great year for the IBA tour, growth for the sport and the industry!
Cheers,
Spongercity.com
