IBA/USBA Pipeline Pro A GO!
February 19th, 2008 by bbr | Posted in Contests
2008 IBA/USBA International Pipeline Pro
February 17th – 24th
North Shore. Oahu.
Sponsors: Bodyglove, Pride and NMD Bodyboards
READY TO RUMBLE…
All indications are pointing towards a start Tuesday 2/19/08 for the 2008 IBA Pipeline Pro, along with the starts of round one of the USBA women’s Pipeline Pro Presented by the Association of Womens Bodyboarding and The Duke Kahamoku Foundation
Here’s the forecast…
Tuesday: EPIC. Surf: 6-10 ft. - head high + to double overhead occasionally 12 ft. and epic conditions.
Wednesday: GOOD. Surf: 5-8 ft. - head high to 3 ft. overhead occasionally 9 ft. and good conditions.
Thursday: EPIC. Surf: 6-10 ft. - head high + to double overhead occasionally 12 ft. and epic conditions.
The record books have been re-written with the biggest field in the events history coming to the Islands for a chance at competing at the Worlds best wave. Over 180 of the planets best riders crossed their fingers and 144 were accepted.
Whilst media speculation suggests that Surfing sensation Kelly Slater (Florida USA) will retire this year at 36, Bodyboarding’s living legend Mike Stewart (Hawaii USA) has confirmed that he will once again contest the IBA World Men’s Tour at 44 years of age. Mike has been a prolific figure in Pro Bodyboarding since it first boomed in the 80’s and he has maintained to be a the forefront of the sport ever since. To put things into perspective Slater has won 8 World Titles whereas Stewart has won 10. “I am on an organic diet and I have never felt better or fitter” said Stewart. “I am on a mission to see how far I can push myself both physically and mentally and with some of the new training methods that I have adopted hope to do well on this years Tour.” Stewart has been an inspiration to several generations of riders and some believe that he will challenge the worlds best until he is 50. “That would be cool. I think that if you eat right and look after yourself that would be possible.” Bodyboarding has long been considered a young persons sport but Mike is re-writing the record books and inspiring some of the older riders to follow in his footsteps.
Guilherme Tamega (BRZ) is another former multiple world champion who is making a comeback in 2008 after taking a year off at 35. Tamega has relocated to the USA and is also living in Hawaii with Stewart.
The IBA 2008 International Men’s Tour and USBA national is about to be launched on Oahu’s North shore with the IBA Pipeline Pro and both riders will be hard to beat with so much experience and a home court advantage.
The event is being webcast at www.ibatour.com/webcast & usbamag.com/webcast. Any inquiries, contact Terry McKenna terry@ibatour.com or media@ibatour.com or for USBA inquires jason@bodyboarding.tv or usbatour@gmail.com.