LIHU‘E — Professional bodyboarding returned to O‘ahu’s North Shore with the commencement of Event 1 on the 2011 International Bodyboarding Association World Tour, the IBA Pipeline Pro that kicked off in clean six-foot waves, Thursday, states a press release from
LIHU‘E — Professional bodyboarding returned to O‘ahu’s North Shore with the commencement of Event 1 on the 2011 International Bodyboarding Association World Tour, the IBA Pipeline Pro that kicked off in clean six-foot waves, Thursday, states a press release from the IBA.
The revamped tour, which sees eight major global Grand Slam Series events in exciting and dangerous locations, has drawn the big-name stars and budding pros.
Among the standout performers on Thursday was USA transplant Brian Wise, a formidable 90s performer who blasted his way through three rounds of competition in his first contest in three years.
Wise spun and rolled his way through a marathon day that included a pre-event warm-up session when he practised without fins or leash. The former finalist (1996) was clearly stoked to be back in the competitive arena, and registered the day’s highest individual wave score, an 8.75 out of a possible perfect 10, en route to Round 4.
“The waves are really contestable. We have good ramps and really nice, long drawn out waves and I think we’ll get better waves right throughout this contest,” said Wise.
“I’ve been back on the North Shore since October and I’ve had so many Pipe days, concentrating on my riding, working to improve my style and my maneuvers,” he said. Nostalgia was blended with first-time experience of Australian brothers, Charles and Harley Ward. The pair, who regularly tackle the cold, life-threatening waves of their local break Shipstern Bluff, unknowingly created history when they became the first Tasmanian riders to compete at the elite level.
Having successfully won their way through the trials held at Sandy Beach on O‘ahu’s Southshore on Sunday, the brothers progressed through to rounds two and three, respectively, in the main event, before being eliminated. Many other riders remain in the draw to represent their national ‘green n’ gold’ colors, but none can claim to be from the infamous “Apple Isle”.
“We came here to get good surf and try our best in the competition,” said Charles Ward. “I think everyone at home is pretty stoked we made it into the main event. We tried last year, but didn’t get in. Now this is the first event we’ve qualified for.”
The day’s highest two-wave combined heat score belonged to South African campaigner, Sacha Specker, who within five minutes of his 20-minute encounter, had secured an 8.25 and 7.50 to be sitting comfortably in front on a combined total of 15.75 out of a possible 20.
Speckers’ opponents, Spain’s Alvaro Jurado, Brazil’s Kalani Lattanzi and Hawai‘i’s Keahi Parker were left to scrap for the minor placing, with Parker getting the nod and advancing behind Specker in second position.
“I was lucky those waves came straight to me at the start of the heat,” Specker said. “From there I didn’t need to chase any more scores. I actually played it really safe. I picked the biggest waves and just did what the judges wanted to see — clean, big moves.”
Fellow South African, former two-time Pipeline Pro winner Andre Botha, was a surprise elimination, bowing out in Round 3 in equal 49th place. Botha became the youngest-ever champion of the event when he first stormed the victory dais at age 17 in 1998.
Thursday the South African looked sharp in his Round 2 debut, advancing easily in first place ahead of Hawaiian Alex Brown, Portugal’s Joao Neiva and Mark Klein of the United States.
His fortunes were reversed in the afternoon, however, the 28 year-old going down in less than spectacular fashion, ending his heat in a disappointing last place to Hawai‘i’s two-some of Jacob Pembrook and Bud Miyamoto, as well as Elliot Morales of the Canary Islands.
Former two-time runner-up, Babby Quino was also a surprise loss. The Puerto Rican with a reputation for his big-wave prowess has battled recurring injury and looked to be in good form before bowing out in third place to Aussie duo Josh Garner and Alex Halsey in Round 2.
Competition is expected to resume in similar conditions today. Organizers will make a call on proceedings at 7 a.m. for a possible 8 a.m. start.
All the action from the IBA Pipeline Pro is available for viewing via the live webcast at www.ibaworldtour.com.
Hawai‘i fans can also see the action on OC 16.
Story provided by the IBA World Tour.
