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

Photo: Jennifer Miskov. This Photo: The Soccer Boys! Left to right Pierre Louis Costes (France) Ryan Hardy (Aus) Dave Winchester (Aus) Guilherme Tamega (Brazil) Jeff Hubbard (Hawaii)

Mike Stewart Declares his Strategy 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  link now: http://www.vimeo.com/17762190

Monday December 13 2010 Gran Canary Island: Your event host Manny Vargas got an earful this morning when legendary bodyboarder Mike Stewart told him, “I’m going big. Everyone’s going to go big. It’s going to be nuts. So I’m going big.” Now if the man himself is going to put it all on the line, you know that no one, we mean no one, is going to hold back. With the world watching on Red Bull Web TV and one of the biggest first place cash prize up for grabs, why would anyone deny themselves from ‘going big?’

Day number four in the waiting period has come and gone. The waves at El Fronton this morning were perfect 3 to 4 feet but that’s not why the guys are here on the outskirts of the small town of Galdar on Gran Canaria Island. Nope. But it was good enough to get out there and stay in form.

The fourth installment of the Red Bull daily updates of the events saw local ripper, Yeray Martinez, talk about the reef. That one thing that makes El Fronton… El Fronton. The waves come in from the Atlantic Ocean deep waters and purge on the shallow reefs that surround the coast line of the Canary Islands. El Fronton claims rights to the one reef that produces “the best bodyboarding in the world ” according to the Frenchman, Peirre Louis Costes.

Winny, Ben Player, Chad Jackson, Jared Houston checking their emails.

Ben Player decided to take the day off from consistent out-of-water activities and exercise. While his body recovers, a few of the other competitors decided to hit the soccer fields for a quick game. Jeff Hubbard opted to play goalie to prevent injury on the artificial turf. Guilherme Tamega, Ryan Hardy, David Winchester, Pierre Louis Costes, Amaury Laverne, Manny Vargas and photographer Andy Lawrence took to the field. After an hour of running and sweating, a couple groms showed up and put a few of the boys to shame with a goal and plenty of assists.

When all the boys returned to the rooms, it was back to reading bodyboarding magazines, emails, Facebook and watching videos.

Your event commentator Manny Vargas tells us, “everyone of these guys has their own unique way of handling competitions with a waiting period. What it really comes down to is… how are they going to perform when the big days come. Soccer, yoga, swimming… that’s all filler. They all have a shot to win. It comes down to who’s going to go big.” Mike Stewart is in.

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-Day-4–Give-us-a-wave-021242936954893?refmod=ContentFeed&refmodpos=A1

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 3 feet

Contest Start: Not Yet

Winds: Light cross shore

Texture: Semi glassy

Weather: Mostly clear
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.

Wild Wild Wave El Fronton Invitational

International Bodyboard Association Sanctioned

Canary Islands Atlantic Ocean.

Waiting Period: Sunday December 12 to Tuesday December 21

Check the Red Bull link and search “El Fronton” for today’s highlight clip: www.redbull.com/tv

Sunday December 12 2010 – Gran Canary Island:

Now that the playing field has been separated, it’s up to Mother Nature to unload her fury on the reef that is known across the seas as El Fronton.

Contest organizers and officials are on 24-hour watch to make sure that every update on the swell charts in their favor.

Seamus Makim, official swell tracker says, “I think we’re looking pretty good at the moment – On the 17^th it looks like we may see some action unfortunately the winds may not be in our favor. But only days later, the 20^th, a new swell with better form along with better winds rolls in. We’re keeping our fingers crossed and hope it pumps.”

So with all eyes of the organizers on the swell charts during a lull of 3 feet waves, what are the competitors doing to stay focused and ready?

A handful of riders have continued to get out in the waves even though it’s small and crowded.

Others are staying physically fit by getting on the courts and playing a popular sport called Paddle; a game for four similar to tennis, smashball and racquetball all rolled into one. One competitor even got his hair bleached by two hot local girls during the down time.

One thing is for sure… all are catching up with emails and Facebook.

The waiting game can bring on tension or balance. Either way, everyone is at the mercy of Mother Nature. She is showing some love with two swells en route. Want to track the same swell maps as Seamus Makim? Here’s the website that he and others are using to track the swells:

https://www.fnmoc.navy.mil/wxmap_cgi/cgi-bin/wxmap_loop.cgi?&area=ngp_atlantic∏=wav&dtg=2010121206&set=Core

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 3 feet

Contest Start: Not Yet

Winds: Onshore

Texture: Choppy

Weather: Clear Skies

The Draw El Fronton 2010 from Manny Vargas on Vimeo.

Saturday December 11 20010 Gran Canary Island: On this bright sunny morning on the northern coast of Gran Canaria, names of the competitors were drawn from three separate swimfins.

One fin held the names of seven former world champions plus current world champ, Amaury Laverne (REU).

In another, four talented international riders’ names rest inside the foot pocket and in the third swimfin, the names of the four invited locals who will represent the Canary Islands.

Every four names called set the stage for essentially a super quarterfinal heat. Each of the 4-quarter final heats will see two world champs, one international rider and one local representative competitor. One by one, names were plucked out the fins and called out by event host and commentator, Manny Vargas. The names cut through the crisp morning air and echoed off the stone walls…

Heat 1

Red Damien King (AUS)

White Uri Valado (BRZ)

Yellow Pierre Louis Costes (FRN)

Blue Alejandro Reyes (CNR)

Heat 2

Red Jeff Hubbard (HAW)

White Mike Stewart (HAW)

Yellow Jared Houston (SAF)

Blue Diego Cabrera (CNR)

Heat 3

Red Guilherme Tamega (BRZ)

White Amaury Laverhne (REU)

Yellow Ryan Hardy (AUS)

Blue Genesis Reyes (CNR)

Heat 4

Red Ben Player (AUS)

White Andre Botha (SAF)

Yellow Dave Winchester (AUS)

Blue Yeray Martinez (CNR)

According to Australian legend, Ryan Hardy (AUS), “this is one of the most anticipated events of all time. It’s similar to the Tahiti Skins event in 2000 – It’s going to be a spectacle.”

Now that the stage is set, it’s only matter of time before one of the greatest bodyboarding events goes down as organizers await a serious swell.

Competitors continue to stay focused and stay fit and contest organizers are watching the swell maps and wind charts to ensure the optimum conditions for the greatest one-day event of the year… The Wild Wild Wave El Fronton Invitational.

Check this Red Bull link now: http://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Video/El-Fronton–Looking-for-a-break-021242936528731?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: Northwest 4 to 5 feet

Contest Start: Not Yet

Winds: Light offshores

Texture: Glassy

Weather: Clear Skies

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.

HERE IS THE EDITED VERSION, in case you did not catch it on the other 71mag link.

This Photo: Some of the world’s best bodyboarders in the Canary Island’s awaiting the start of the Wild Wild Wave El Fronton Invitational – Left to right standing: Genesis Reyes (Canary Is), Ryan Hardy (Aus), Jeff Hubbard (Hawaii), Yeray Martinez (Canary Is), Guilherme Tamega (Brazil), Ben Player (Aus), Damian King (Aus), Alejandro Reyes (Canary Is); squatting – Dave Winchester (Aus), Pierre Louis Costes (France) & Jared Houston (South Africa) – photo also attached and complimentary to use, credit IBA. Press Release Below -

Wild Wild Wave El Fronton Invitational

International Bodyboard Association Sanctioned

Where: 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–Looking-for-a-break-021242936528731?refmod=ContentFeed&refmodpos=A3

Heat Draw Stacked and Ready to Go for World’s Most Anticipated Bodyboard Event – Wild Wild Wave El Fronton Invitational.

Saturday December 11 20010 Gran Canary Island: On this bright sunny morning on the northern coast of Gran Canaria, names of the competitors were drawn from three separate swimfins.

One fin held the names of seven former world champions plus current world champ, Amaury Laverne (REU).

In another, four talented international riders’ names rest inside the foot pocket and in the third swimfin, the names of the four invited locals who will represent the Canary Islands.

Every four names called set the stage for essentially a super quarterfinal heat. Each of the 4-quarter final heats will see two world champs, one international rider and one local representative competitor. One by one, names were plucked out the fins and called out by event host and commentator, Manny Vargas. The names cut through the crisp morning air and echoed off the stone walls…

Heat 1

Red Damien King (AUS)

White Uri Valado (BRZ)

Yellow Pierre Louis Costes (FRN)

Blue Alejandro Reyes (CNR)

Heat 2

Red Jeff Hubbard (HAW)

White Mike Stewart (HAW)

Yellow Jared Houston (SAF)

Blue Diego Cabrera (CNR)

Heat 3

Red Guilherme Tamega (BRZ)

White Amaury Laverhne (REU)

Yellow Ryan Hardy (AUS)

Blue Genesis Reyes (CNR)

Heat 4

Red Ben Player (AUS)

White Andre Botha (SAF)

Yellow Dave Winchester (AUS)

Blue Yeray Martinez (CNR)

According to Australian legend, Ryan Hardy (AUS), “this is one of the most anticipated events of all time. It’s similar to the Tahiti Skins event in 2000 – It’s going to be a spectacle.”

Now that the stage is set, it’s only matter of time before one of the greatest bodyboarding events goes down as organizers await a serious swell.

Competitors continue to stay focused and stay fit and contest organizers are watching the swell maps and wind charts to ensure the optimum conditions for the greatest one-day event of the year… The Wild Wild Wave El Fronton Invitational.

Check this Red Bull link now: http://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Video/El-Fronton–Looking-for-a-break-021242936528731?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: Northwest 4 to 5 feet

Contest Start: Not Yet

Winds: Light offshores

Texture: Glassy

Weather: Clear Skies

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.