the following words, written by IBA Staff:

After an amazing season in 2011, the crew at IBA is planning for a bigger and better tour in 2012. The season opener will again be in February at the Pipeline Pro, from February 10th to 25th, where the Men, Women and Dropknee riders will lay the platform for their campaigns, with maximum Grand Slam points up for grabs. This year Pipe will include an extra day of competition, which will expand the field for both the DK & Women’s events.

From there, the Dropknee World Tour heads to Peru for the second Grand Slam event of the year from March 1st to 4th. Jose Ugarte and his Peruvian team have moved the event forward in hope of better conditions. The Peruvian event is solely for dropknee with $15,000 up for grabs. “Our main focus is to attract the worlds best DK riders and to give them the contest they deserve”, said Ugarte.

March sees the world’s best riders return to the wild west of Australia for the Grand Slam Series’ Box Pro, from March 26th to April 4th, with the infamous Box and Gas Bay the setting for what will be an awesome showdown. After last year’s crazy final action, the anticipation is high for another epic event.

The Women’s World Tour hits Reunion Island from March 7th to 9th, for the Manapany Surf & Music Festival. This is a stand-alone event for the girls and after the success of the Men’s event in 2011, the girls are pumped!

A new addition to the tour, the Port Macquarie Bodyboarding Festival, will take place from April 14th to 23rd, rolling off the back of the Box event. This new event will feature a Grand Slam for both Women and DK, as well as the first of the 6 Star Global Qualifying Series events, which will be supported by a host of sideline Teams challenges.

May and June are busy months for South America, starting with Antofargasta, a 6 Star GQS event in Chile from May 9th to 13th, in Chile kicking off a 4-event leg, followed by the Arica Chilean Challenge a Grand Slam Series event from May 18th to the 27th.

The La Cosa Pro in Iqueque from May 30th to June 5th, will play host to the GQS and bridge the gap to the newest GSS event in Itacoatiara, Brazil from June 7th to 16th.

During late June and July, the tour breaks to hold out for epic conditions at IBA Specialty event at Shark Island in Cronulla.

The second semester launches in August at the Zicatela Pro August 1st to 11th. Expectations are high and the stage is set after the high-octane performances at Puerto Escondido this year.

Late August the tour heads to Europe for the 6 Star Ferrol Pro from August16th to19th and the Sintra Portugal Pro from August 25th to September 2nd. Sintra, which a Women’s World Tour, Grand Slam Series and Dropknee World Tour event, has been extended by two days this year to allow for the best possible conditions.

From Europe, the tour heads across the Atlantic to New Jersey on the east coast of the United States for the Jenks Pro, a stand-alone 6 Star GQS event and possibly a Grand Slam dropknee event, from September 4th to 10th.

October will bring the Bodyboard Pro Festival, a stand-alone one star WWT, DKWT and GQS event from October 27th to 30th in Venezuela and the Puerto Rico Pro a Grand Slam event for the Women’s, Dropknee and Men’s world tours from November 2nd to 13th at Middles. The then rolls through Azores for a stand-alone one star Women’ World Tour and Global Qualifying Series event from November 28th to December 2nd. And finally onto the Canary Islands for the last Grand Slam Series event, from December 6th to 17th.

It’s another massive year of action for both the fans and the riders, most notably the inclusion of the new event in Brazil in June. It’s been a few years since the IBA staged a full-blown Grand Slam Series event in Brazil and Itacoatiara is a perfect spot- close to Rio, with a large fraternity of enthusiastic bodyboarders.

The IBA are making structural changes to the competition format which, will be announced shortly. IBA World Tour Manager, Terry McKenna, is ecstatic about the year ahead. “IBA set a great foundation last year that we can build off in 2012. We have fresh faces, some new venues and I believe that we are going to see the sport really boom off the back of our new TV series. Its exciting times ahead for all. This is the new Dream Tour”, he said.

Tour: The Ocean Current USBA Tour, Presented by DUNES

Event: The SCIENCE Sandy Beach Pro/Am

Dates: July 9th & 10th

Partners: Science Bodyboards, Gyroll, Deluxe Fins, T&C Surf, Aqua Resorts and Vitamin Water

The 2011 Sandy Beach Pro/Am is just around the corner. With summer swells heating up the waters of Hawaii both locals and traveling competitors are excited for another great year at the Sandy Beach Pro. This year competitors from across the nation will be attending the 26th year of the Sandy Beach Pro.

Sandy Beach located on the southeast shore of Oahu, is the home of the modern day Bodyboard. It is where the sport began to take shape in it’s thumping shore break on into it’s shallow reef at Half point. Athletes such as Mike Stewart 10x World Champion and Ben Severson former World Champion all honed their skills at Sandy’s small patch of reef name Half Point. Some of current best athletes in our sport such as Jeff Hubbard 2x World Champion, still today use Sandy Beach as their daily training grounds.

A new generation in the form of Trevor Kam has taken over the reigns at Sandy’s and showed his true form making it to the finals of the 2010 event.

The future looks bright for the Sandy Beach Pro/Am and Sandy’s even flowing river of talent. However hope spoilers such as 2010 event winner Guilherme Tamega will be in attendance to give the locals a run for their money.

For more information, visit: www.usbatour.com

DK WARS # 4 will be on July 9th or 10th, The “Mana Riders” ‘Winner Take All’ DK WARS event will be held @ Sandy’s Beach. The Sandy Beach Pro, on the USBA Tour, contest will be running, so we are NOT to intervene and will enter the water where they are not near.

$100 Buy-In per 4 man DK teams. Riders must reside in the same area/location. Areas can have more than one team.

ALSO solo riders may enter for $20 per DK rider.

CASH ONLY

Voting will be based on “Best Style,” in the water.

Winner Takes ALL!

TURN IN YOUR SOLO OR TEAM NAME TO MICHELLE!
Fill out the contact form with the full name of each rider, include the area you are representing too. http://www.dkwars.com/contact.html

Also, check our website for more info on the event: www.dkwars.com

or visit their Event Page on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=176427202413569

You should also add DK WARS as a friend on Facebook to get continuous updates on upcoming events: http://www.facebook.com/dropkneewars

Spread the love.

DK WARS was held at Salt Creek a couple weeks ago in California. The day was pretty epic, there were waves and the sun was shining. We had about 30+ DK riders from all over California and the guys, of all ages, were throwin’ some tail and good times were had!

Everyone got in the water sometime after 8:30am and everyone was frothing on the turnout with guys from as far north as Santa Cruz and down to San Diego.

Manny Vargas was tearing apart the Creek on a few waves.

Manny Vargas

Manny Vargas claiming this wave!

The water showcased riders of all ages. Rocket Klein was the only Cali grom that showed up and he totally killed it in the water, showing the older guys that he can rip too.

Rocket Klein from San Clemente, Ca

Stan Moniz was out and proved that he is sill as good as he was back in Hawaii back in the day. Stan now resides in Huntington Beach.

Stan Moniz

Adam Dumas from North Hollywood was the winner of the SOLO riders! He was charging on all the waves, he got some pretty sick footage and photos to prove his wave riding skills were the best of the day!

Adam Dumas

Salt Creek

1st place team winners, Chris Taloa, Adam Dumas and Stan Moniz (not shown)

2nd place team winner, Kike, Joe Grodzen and Wally Sani

Solo Rider winner, Adam Dumas

About DK WARS:

It was all started by Chris Won Taloa, who made a call out on Facebook in the Summer of 2010, which stirred up DK banter. The DK WARS Event #1 took place at Salt Creek, bringing together like-minded DK riders and good times. Because of the insane turnout and the riders wanting more, we’ve decided to continue the DK WARS event more often. Michelle Rozzen, the US Editor of Mag and Media Coordinator for the USBA Tour, jumped on board to help Chris organize more DK WARS events.

It’s not like any other contest you have been to before, because the judges are the riders and the riders & beach goers who come to the event will be the voters. It’s a fun way to show love for the sport. We do it because we love bodyboarding!

Best ride, best barrel, best bash, best team, best individual, biggest DICK ‘ it can be anybody. It doesn’t have to be a bodyboarder. Biggest snake. Cameras and video will tell the tale.

What’s the contest criteria?
Each ‘team’ consists of 4 men/women that represent your area/hood/zone. It’s a non contest format, and an all day destruction of the Salt Creek bars.

*Limited to 12 teams. *TBD

Does it cost any money to enter?
$100 Buy-In per 4 man DK teams. Riders must reside in the same area. Areas can have more than one team.

ALSO solo riders may enter for $20 per DK rider.

Winner takes all! (minus $200 expenses).
You will pay Michelle Rozzen at the contest. Please bring cash ONLY.

How does voting work?

After the event, we will head back to a house for a BBQ. We will party, have food and drinks and watch the films and check out the photos from the event. From there we will tally up everyone’s votes and decide the winner together.

Are there prizes?
Money & prizes and board gifts are being worked on up to the day.

Can I do anything to help?
All are welcome to give a lending hand where it feels good to them. Contact us if you are interested in helping in some way.

The next DK WARS event will be at OTW in Hawaii.

IBA Pipeline Pro to unveil Revamped 2011 Grand Slam Series Tour

The IBA Pipeline Pro is just around the corner! Riders from around the world will gather for the first event this year at Banzai Pipeline, North Shore Oahu, Hawaii Feb 12th-25th 2011.

NEWS PRESS RELEASE from the IBA:

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

Local 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.

Exclusive Rider Friends & Family Rate:

https://gc.synxis.com/rez.aspx?Hotel=allhotels&Chain=10365&promo=pipeline

Promo Code: pipeline

Or call 866.406.2782 using promo code ‘pipeline’

Offer valid for stays 2/10-2/24/2011

Supporting sponsors include: Turbo Surf Designs, Dave & Busters and Aqua Hotels and Resorts.

About Pipeline…

Situated on the North Shore of Oahu in the South Pacific Hawaiian Islands chain, Pipeline is almost a household name. Its volcanic reef produces some of the most challenging waves on the planet and during the Winter season is battered by massive swells that develop in the Allusion Islands and make their way towards Oahu before unleashing their fury at Pipe. It is considered the ultimate test of a bodyboarder to master its gaping tubes.

For up to the minute information please logon to www.ibaworldtour.com

QUARTER FINALS:

SEMIS & FINALS:

Wild Wild Wave El Fronton Invitational

International Bodyboard Association Sanctioned

Canary Islands, Atlantic Ocean

Waiting Period: Sunday December 12 to Tuesday December 21

High quality digital images will be available from this event.

Check this Red Bull link now: http://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Video/el-fronton-bodyboarding-championships-clip-9-021242938928482?refmod=ContentFeed&refmodpos=A3

Press below from IBA’s Manny Vargas -

Sunday December 19 2010 Gran Canary Island : Is it really here? After ten long days of sitting and waiting, the day has finally arrived! Tomorrow we will see 16 of the best bodyboarders on the planet battling it out on one of, if not the best, bodyboarding waves on the globe. El Fronton will host the most anticipated bodyboarding event in history. Yes, this is it people, The Wild Wild Wave El Fronton Invitational.

With ten grand going to first place, you know that these riders are going to go all out. It’s going to take two solid heats of riding to get to the finals. But it’s going to take everything they’ve got to be able to stake claim the big cash money prize. Imagine what you could buy with that kind of coin. They won’t admit it but the competitors have had that in the back of their mind for the last 10 days.

Official Start Time: Monday December 20th 9:50am GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). We don’t want you to miss any of the action so we’ve found a user friendly website to help you with time conversion. Plug in the info and you’ll get the time in your location. Australian rider/compeitior Ben Player is from Whale Beach on the East Coast of Australia. So he’ll be telling his family and friends to watch www.redbull.com/tv at exactly 8:50 p.m.

Find out what your time zone is:

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html

If there is a time to get the bodyboarding tribe together… this is it. Log on and watch www.redbull.com/tv

2010 Wild Wild Wave El Fronton Invitational is being brought to you by:

Maldito Rodriguez and Red Bull Media House.

Check this Red Bull link now: http://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Video/el-fronton-bodyboarding-championships-clip-9-021242938928482?refmod=ContentFeed&refmodpos=A3

Get your daily dosage of updates on www.redbull.com and www.redbull.com/tv.

An alert will be emailed out when the call is made to go.

This event will be live broadcast on www.redbull.com/tv

Current Conditions

Swell: North 5 feet and rising

Contest Start: Not Yet. Shortly, Yes!

Winds: Light offshore

Texture: Glassy

Weather: Sunny

The IBA has set up a dedicated facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Bodyboard-Association-IBA-El-Fronton-Invitational/107133989354869 where you will be updated on a daily basis on the lead up to the event with surf forecasts, rider interviews and footage as the world best prepare for the most anticipated event in Bodyboarding worldwide. You will be alerted when the event is scheduled to be held to ensure you don’t miss any of the action.

Competitors waiting patiently for El Fronton to fire! Photo: Manny Vargas

Likely Day is the 20th for Big Waves as Wild Wild Wave El Fronton Invitational Remains On Hold

Wild Wild Wave El Fronton Invitational

International Bodyboard Association Sanctioned

Canary Islands, Atlantic Ocean

Waiting Period: Sunday December 12 to Tuesday December 21

Check this Red Bull link now: (http://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Video/el-fronton-bodyboarding-championships-clip-8-021242938689931?refmod=ContentFeed&refmodpos=A1)

Check this IBA Vimeo link now: ( http://www.vimeo.com/17920751)

Friday December 17 2010 Gran Canary Island: The one thing that’s been on everyone’s mind is… when? The time has come. Monday December 20^th at 10am GMT the biggest day in bodyboarding history will unfold. The El Fronton Invitational will go down!

Last night, the competitors ventured into the city of Las Palmas and gathered at the offices of Maldito Rodriguez to go over details about the event. Because the waves are of serious consequence, the one thing that is was every competitors’ mind is, ‘do we all stand by the fierce competitive positioning strategies or do set that aside and abide by the unwritten rules of respect and priority?’ Strangely enough, that very question went unanswered. So it’s going to be very interesting to see how it all plays out come December 20^th. Other than this seemingly slight detail, everything is now in place to broadcast the event of events.

JB & Stewart. Photo: Manny Vargas

On today’s daily video update on RedBull.com, the man with a passion for El Fronton speaks. Former world champ, and youngest, Andre Botha tells us what the wave, the comp and life means to him.

The competitors woke up today to dismal conditions here on the north side of Gran Canaria. To keep active, a bodyboard mission to the south and a hike up one of the volcanoes is scheduled to pass the time. Photos tomorrow.

For now, we’re going to keep reminding you, set your alarm clocks to go off at 9am GMT. That’ll give you enough time to prepare your food, pop open your beer or heat up your coffee and prepare to be amazed. Check out tomorrow’s daily video update for more action and info.

2010 Wild Wild Wave El Fronton Invitational is being brought to you by:

Maldito Rodriguez and Red Bull Media House.

***Get your daily dosage of updates on www.redbull.com and www.redbull.com/tv.

An alert will be emailed out when the call is made to go.

This event will be live broadcast on www.redbull.com/tv

Current Conditions

Swell: North 1 foot

Contest Start: Not Yet

Winds: Hard side shore from the west

Texture: Choppy

Weather: Mostly sunny

Winny & Hardy. Photo: Manny Vargas

Photo: Manny Vargas.... Jeff Hubbard over looking El Fronton wave.

Calm Before The Storm as Wild Wild Wave El Fronton Invitational Remains On Hold

Wild Wild Wave El Fronton Invitational

International Bodyboard Association Sanctioned

Canary Islands, Atlantic Ocean

Waiting Period: Sunday December 12 to Tuesday December 21

Check this Red Bull link now (http://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Video/El-Fronton-Day-5–This-wave-packs-a-punch-021242937536129?refmod=Related&refmodpos=0)

Check this IBA vimeo link now: (http://www.vimeo.com/17803229)

Tuesday December 14 2010 Gran Canary Island: More than half of the competitive field were out in the water this morning. Even though the waves at El Fronton were only two to three feet, the guys made the most of what was out there to stay fit and focused.

Imagine having the likes of Dave Winchester, Ben Player, Damien King, Guilherme Tamega, Jeff Hubbard, PLC, Mike Stewart, Ryan Hardy and current world champ Amaury Laverne out at your home break preparing for historical competition. Each of these guys were attacking the wave as if a virtual comp was going on!

Adding to that group this morning were a bunch of Gran Canaria island locals including one that will be representing not only the island of Gran Canaria but also El Fronton the break.

Alejandro ‘Yuyu’ Reyes is as local as they come. His day revolves on riding El Fronton, La Guancha and other reef break around his home, which is located right on the cliffs overlooking over four breaks.

Scratch that… his LIFE revolves around bodyboarding the reefs in his backyard. This guy works the night shift at the local hospital as a physician in order to make sure he doesn’t miss any swells that roll through. Yuyu was asked when he sleeps and he said “(translated) I sleep in the afternoon if the waves are good in the morning. But if the waves are good in the afternoon, I’ll sleep in the morning.” It looks like this guy has it all figured out. Props and good luck to Yuyu. He is definitely one to watch.

Jeff Hubbard has made the long slow journey to recovery for this event. Nearly six weeks ago, Hubbard suffered a serious injury.

As he was practicing for this very event at Half Point on the south side of Oahu, he fractured a rib and a couple vertebrae. It’s almost unbelievable that his recovery was so short but knowing Jeff, his regime to recovery must’ve included everything from physical therapy to some sort of mental or spiritual healing powers as well. We’re pumped that he’s here and we won’t be surprised to see him get absolutely mental out there!

The competitors and the competition itself are running idle as the swell charts are predicting the perfect swell come December 20. We will see. Stay tuned and whatever you do… do not miss this competition. You will regret it for the rest of your life! From El Fronton, the calm before the storm.

2010 Wild Wild Wave El Fronton Invitational is being brought to you by:

Maldito Rodriguez and Red Bull Media House.

Get your daily dosage of updates on www.redbull.com and www.redbull.com/tv.

An alert will be emailed out when the call is made to go.

This event will be live broadcast on www.redbull.com/tv

Current Conditions

Swell: West 2 to 3 feet

Contest Start: Not Yet

Winds: Cross shore

Texture: Light chop

Weather: Partly cloudy mostly clear