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.

Rider: Chuy Silva, Photo: Michelle Rozzen

Name: Jesus “Chuy” Silva Cabrera

Current Location: Puerto Escondido Oaxaca Mexico

Age: 24

Hometown: Puerto Escondido

What is the bodyboarding community like in Puerto Escondido (PX)?

I don’t know if it happens the same in other parts of the world, but here we have more bodyboarders than surfers. We are a big group of friends that share the same passion–bodyboarding.

What riders in PX are ripping right now?

Motor, he is one of the best from Mexico and he is ripping and he’s also training a lot for the Zicatela Pro this year. Also, Edwin Morales, but he doesn’t surf that much, however when he does he focuses in what he wants. He could be a great competitor though.

Who are you riding with in PX right now?

Motor and some friends from Chile, Puerto Rico, Brazilians and more.

Where have you traveled to bodyboard?

Just around Mexico, I have never traveled abroad but that’s one my next challenges. That happens because here in Mexico we don’t have the support of a big sponsor. You can be the best in Mexico but unfortunately the government doesn’t care.

What is your favorite bodyboard spot?

Zicatela for sure…

Chuy ripping at Zicatela, Photo: Michelle Rozzen

How long have you been bodyboarding?

Right now I’ve been doing my great passion since I was 15 years old, now I’m 24 so almost 10 years.

How many years have you competed for?

Since I was 17 and I was already ranked in Mexico as national top 5.

Are you doing the IBA Tour this year? Any other competitions?

This year I’m just preparing for the Zicatela Pro I want to go to Venezuela to the Bodyboard Pro Festival this year and maybe to Chile to Arica next year, but is not a fact yet.

Zicatela Legend, Chuy Silva. Photo: Michelle Rozzen

What are your expectations for Zicatela Pro this year?

I just want to do my best. I’m training a lot and with all the support from people from Mexico I hope I can represent them very well.

How was growing up in PX?

Well Puerto Escondido is a great place, nice weather, nice people, hot water, waves almost all year I feel blessed to have grown up here.

Zicatela can get pretty huge surf, how do you mentally prepare to surf when it’s big?

I think we are accustomed to see the waves, we just need to be brave and show everybody that Mexicans also have wevos hehe.

What board do you ride?

Right now I have my own model. Colorada board shop is making boards now and it is also my biggest sponsor that I have, and now I have my model that it’s a 41 nice shape pp.

Prone or DK? If both, how much of each?

90% prone 10%dk. I do DK when waves are very small just to have fun.

What’s your training regime like?

Surf in the morning, surf in the afternoon and a 1-hour session at the gym, that’s it.

Zicatela Pro 2010, Photo: Michelle Rozzen

Do you have any sponsors? What companies?

Colorada Board shop

What bodyboard goals do you have?

I just want to be remembered as a great Mexican bodyboarder and show the world that we also have a good level of bodyboarding.

Where do you see bodyboarding going in the future?

Right now I see bodyboarding as a futuristic sport, guys from all over the world are taking bodyboarding to another level and it is also good that now we have the IBA contest here in our backyard– Zicatela Beach.

What riders influenced your bodyboarding?

NF crew, Australians and for sure Mexicans like Jose Rutherford, Edwin Morales, Motor and Jose Ramirez.

Where’s your next destination?

Venezuela and Chile maybe.

Any last words of advice or shout outs?

Thanks to 71mag for the interview and friends thanks for the support, see you in the water.

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

Photo: Clay Humphrey

Women’s Bodyboarding has grown significantly over the past two decades. It has become an international sport, with female athletes representing every corner of the globe. I was fortunate enough to catch up with Natasha Sagardia for an interview in 71 Mag Issue #3. The interview was a good one and we wanted to share with you some more Q & A’s with ya.

Natasha Sagardia does not need an introduction in her hometown of Puerto Rico. She is an incredible athlete, and role model to the local groms. Natasha’s smile radiates around her and her bodyboarding skills are proven equal to the male species in the water.

Natasha grew up in Argentina on a farm, in an old town surrounded by mountains. She is currently living in Puerto Rico, in the north shore of Barceloneta.

What’s it like to be the first female bodyboarder from Puerto Rico to win a World Title?

It means a lot to me, and for the people of PR who believed in me and supported me since the beginning. It’s a fascinating feeling because my goals were achieved and it brings great confidence that is super valuable. I worked so hard for that World Title for so many years, and the moment I took that medal I could not be more grateful. PR is proud of the achievements I’ve made for the island. It is also very important for the sport because the government took it very seriously, and gave me a lot of exposure in bodyboarding. It is a national goal and for me it is one of my dreams that came true.

Photo: Andres Figueroa

At what age did you start bodyboarding and when did you begin competing on the pro circuit?

I started bodyboarding when I was 12 years old, in PR (Puerto Rico). I was so skinny and little that I couldn’t even handle the bodyboard well. It was funny. I started competing that same year in the national events, and when I was 14 I went to my first professional competition in Portugal. I had the chance to meet all my heroes in the sport at that comp. A year later, I won for the second time in the national championships; and the federation of surfing of PR gave me a plane ticket to Pipeline, Hawaii. I won the Rookie of the Year, and was the youngest girl ever to compete in that event. It was a dream come true and this crucial moment dedicated my life to it. I found a big sponsor with the government of PR and since that moment I have been involved full time in the IBA.

How do you mentally prepare yourself for a big comp?

There is not a perfect recipe, I have tried too many already. But in all the competitions it is important to do the homework. You must train as much as you can before an event, because it will give you a lot of confidence, and it will also keep you focused on the moment– which is key. Don’t make expectations, but make realistic goals. But there is a secret– don’t be thinking in the future, just in each moment. That is a good strategy. Enjoy each experience created and all competitions, both wining and loosing.

What advice can you give to young female bodyboarders?

Always smile to guys and get the waves. Be strong in the water and never be scared, just be respectful with the ocean. Enjoy and buy a nice bikini, never under estimate your surf skills. Know yourself to the fullest.

Photo: Clay Humphrey

What are your future goals in bodyboarding?

I want to keep doing the IBA tour for many years, because I would love to be world champ of the IBA. I want to make a film about my life in bodyboarding and be really involved with media around the world. I think girls don’t have the exposure men have, and we need that. We need more photos, more videos, more opportunities to shine. Bodyboarding is not just competition, and girls need to be involved in the other areas, we need to have the chance. Also I want to get better at riding in big waves. It’s a personal goal, heavy waves and bigger maneuvers. I would love to help bodyboarding to be an Olympic sport as well, and also a structural sport in the schools, as tennis, basketball and even surfing is.

Who are your sponsors?

DRD, Tres Palmas, Vivamas, Lmnop, RVCA, Keanon, Caney, Olukai, La -X, Sol Azul, Blondet Cafe, 1st Class Air Conditioning, Escalera Gas, Valerias Bakery.

Photo: Andres Figueroa

Future destination: Brazil

Favorite wave: Hallows, La guancha, Mingos Wedge, Pipeline

Daily routine workout: Running, stretching, bodyboarding twice a day, sport psychology and training in the gym three times a week for fitness for surfers

Commitment: Ideals

Money: Come and goes

Motto: Freedom

Dying: One step

Food: Mofongo de pulpo

Fashion: Viviana Beltran Design in Puerto Rico

Transportation: Knowing the world.

Drink: Good wine with good conversation

Music: Cultura Profetica and Mercedes Sosa

First class or coach: Coach

Future: Surprise

Shout-Outs:

Thanks Mom, Vivi, Clay, Abuelitos, Carlos, Evaristo, Sara, Willy, and Andres, my roommate for taking care of my dogs, and all the sponsors that make this possible. Also, my ex professors at the Arecibo University, where I just graduated from. Thanks for the support and the love. And thanks to 71 Mag for the opportunity….yupiii!!!

Photo: ALEX DIAZ, Natasha places 2nd @ IBA Confital

Photo: Alex Verharst

Rocket Klein is one of the hottest groms coming out of California right now! This kid froths on bodyboarding, rocks a mullet haircut, hits ramps and fly’s high off the lip! I have heard people talking about him at comps, saying he is the next Hubb and Novy. He is that good! And to top it off, Rocket just got sponsored by Billabong!

71 Mag catches up with Rocket Klein and shares his story here…

Current Location: San Clemente, California

Age: 13 years of age

Hometown: Seattle, Washington …Yeah!

How many years have you been body boarding?

I have been body boarding for 4 years

What riders in Southern California are ripping right now?

Colin Godard, Charles Marable, along with Beans and all the T- Street mangs!

Photo: Alex Verharst

Who are you riding with right now?

Me, Myself and I because everyone is in school. I’m doing a home school deal, it’s sick, I get to surf all day.

Where have you traveled to bodyboard?

I have only been to Hawaii once, so no real surf trips yet haha.

What is your favorite bodyboard spot?

Doheny  or Seal Beach.

How many years have you competed for?

Three years

Are you doing the USBA and/or IBA Tour this year? Any other competitions?

I might do one Usba if it comes to Cali, but just BIA all day!

What board(s) do you ride?

I ride custom BZ shapes by Yamo, which are excellent.

Prone or DK? If both, how much of each?

I do 50% of both. I also surf a lot short board and long.

Photo: Alex Verharst

What’s your training regime like?

I do actually a little balance routine on a yoga ball. I found the vid for it on 71 mag .com hahaha!

Do you have any sponsors? What companies?

My sponsors are: My Mom, BILLABONG, BZ ,CHURCHILL, 662 MOB, and Sport Chalet.

What body board goals do you have?

Ten Time World champ like Slater but for body boarding.

Photo: Alex Verharst

Mullet Man

Where do you see body boarding going in the future?

Hopefully someone does a “double back flip” and all that stuff!

What riders influenced your bodyboarding?

Pierre and Michael Novy!

Where’s your next destination?

The bathroom.

Any last words of advice or shout outs?

Thanks to Michelle and the readers who read this later.

Photo: Alex Verharst

Check out some footage of Rocket:

Name: Damien Miller
Current Location: Culburra Beach, South Coast NSW
Age: 26
Hometown: Windsor about 100kms from the beach

How many years have you been bodyboarding?
7

What riders in your area are ripping right now?
Moot Young, Bones, JONNYG, and Dave Brennan is killing it

Photo: Jordan Godley

Who are you riding with right now?
All the guys above, Luke Mason and everyone else around here.

Where have you traveled to bodyboard?
All over Indo, up and down the east coast of Australia, South OZ and Victoria

What is your favorite bodyboard spot?
Pretty hard to choose, but Edwards, Gassies, or anyone of the 1000 bullshit waves we have around here.

Photo: Jordan Godley

Photo: Jordan Godley

What board(s) do you ride?
HB team spec with about 30 Core store stamps on it, thanks to Moot using it as the test board for the stamp press.

Prone or DK? If both, how much of each?
Prone, DK is dead!! haha na pretty much 100% prone, dk on the rare occasion

Have you ever competed?
Never been in a comp. I don’t really want to because I’ll probably bomb out and come last haha.

Photo: Jordan Godley

Do you have any sponsors? Nil

What’s your training regime like?
I surf most days, train hard on a Friday and Saturday night…benching about 30 schooners and a pack of smokes, with everyone else that loves to get keep fit too. haha

What bodyboard goals do you have?
Travel more, see new places, and bodyboard as long as my bent spine allows me.

Where do you see bodyboarding going in the future?
Bigger moves in bigger waves. The shit guys are doing now is pretty crazy its hard to think it will all get bigger and better.

What riders influenced your bodyboarding?
The older AV generation, all my mates I surf with now and of coarse all the big wigs like Hardy, Ben and Skipp.

Where’s your next destination?
Nothing planned but I really want to go to Puerto and Phillipines, but more likely it’ll be somewhere in Australia like South Australia.

Photo: Ian Osterloh

Any last words of advice or shout outs?
The many prime ministers for funding my surf travel over the years, and to K Smithers for letting me have so many “sick days” even though he knew the surf was pumping himself. SCAFFFORLYFE.. haha. Big hello to all my friends, love you all especially my lovely girlfriend Daisy. And lastly, Thanks to Jordan Godley & Ian Osterloh for all the epic photos. Let the good times roll…

Photo: Jordan Godley

71 Mag catches up with Kim Feast aka “Feasty”, a 29 year old Drop Knee ripper who is from Gracetown West Oz and has been riding for 20 years.

We met in Puerto Escondido at the IBA Contest this past summer. For those bodyboarders that weren’t there, watching you rip, how did you end doing in the contest?

Haha I was not ripping… I came 3rd but I was pretty disappointed with how bad I surfed.

How do the waves differ in Mexico versus Australia?

Well super warm water for a start! From what I saw beach break wise, it was fairly similar to some of the beach breaks here maybe a little bit more back washy than I expected… I’d really love to get some of the amazing points firing there. I have to get back there for sure.

Where have you traveled to bodyboard?

Hawaii, Tahiti, Indonesia, Peru, Portugal, and Spain

Photo: Ben Harney

What is your favorite bodyboard spot?

North point at home. Or Hawaii and now Mexico haha. But there are so many sick places on this planet. There is so much I haven’t experienced.

How many years have you competed for?

6 I think

Are you doing the USBA and/or IBA Tour this year? Any other competitions?

Just the IBA DK Tour. I did love doing the DK Sessions, but that is no longer running which sucks.

Photo: Chris Gurney

How do you mentally prepare yourself for a big comp?

Comps are hard. I try to cruise and listen to music but I didn’t mentally prepare myself for the ones this year well at all… sitting in a good position got to me and I choked.

Has there been any particular moment that stands out as the pinnacle of your career thus far?

Winning the DK Sessions was pretty cool. Scoring amazing waves with good friends are the best times.

Who are you riding with in Australia right now?

Either stand-ups or prone guys.., every now and again I get to surf with Liam Okeefe and up and coming young DKer or Mike Dobson. But there isn’t too many drop knee guys down here.

What board(s) do you ride?

I ride my Elit’ DKF!

Photo: Caleb Davenport

What’s your training regime like?

I like to train in the pool. Combining both distance work and underwater stuff. I’m starting boxing now to improve my cardio.

Do you have any sponsors? What companies?

Elit’ bodyboards, Creatures of Leisure and Void wetsuits

Where do you see bodyboarding going in the future?

With the introduction of the new tour its only going to go forward and into the mainstream public’s eye which is epic! Hopefully there is more consolidation between bodyboard owned and run companies. It seems like it’s a bit of a free for all at the moment with so many companies and people busting their ass for little reward; and education for the public to support these companies so more money can revolve around and be re injected into the sport.

What riders influenced your bodyboarding?

Kainoa Mcgee aka Lyman, Dave Ballard, Phil Harnsberger and Fred Booth.

Where’s your next destination?

Morocco hopefully! Haha then Hawaii.

What advice (if any) can you give to young bodyboarders?

Study your favorite pro’s and the way they ride, but more importantly have fun! The more fun you have the more you enjoy it and the more your gonna want to try new things to progress.

Any last words?

Family, good friends, having fun and the ocean are where it’s at.

Check out Feasty:

Elit’ 2010/11 – Feast from kim feast on Vimeo.

Educate. Motivate. Inspire was set up by Ben Mackinnon as a way of answering a question. Most of his adolescence and teenage life his body was plagued with illness, heart problems and arthritis. Many people deal with all sorts of ailments and don’t know how to take care of themselves. Ben is a Personal Trainer and Massage Therapist and his goal is to help you! He will train you and give you good insight on how to live your life without physical limitations.

Ben Mackinnon is now one of New Zealand’s top Body boarder’s. He has a huge amount of experience at the top level of Body boarding competing on the World Tour Circuit. Ben has put together some Vimeo videos on some of the best exercises I’ve seen thus far to strengthen your core. See for yourself how Ben can help you! For more information, visit Ben’s website: http://www.educatemotivateinspire.com

For Immediate Release – 2010 RAW NATIONAL TITLES AND THE REBEL SPORT PRO 2010 – Duranbah (Gold Coast), Queensland, 9th November – 14th November.

(Sunday, November 14, 2010. Duranbah, Queensland) – The 2010 Rebel Sport Pro tour has been dubbed as the best in history coming to a huge climax today at Duranbah Beach.

Today there were three possible contenders for the 2010 Australasian men’s title. Dave Winchester (Mullumbimby, NSW), Michael Novy (Sunshine Coast, QLD) and Chad Jackson (Perth, WA).

Winchester was knocked in the quarter finals, which meant to steal the title Novy and Jackson either had to win or place second.

Mitch Rawlins

Andrew Lester

Chad Jackson, was the first to miss out at a shot at the 2010 title, being knocked out in the dying seconds of the semi finals by fellow challenger Micheal Novy. Jackson could only look on in shock from the beach seeing Novy post a 6.50 ride to take 2nd place and progress.

The 30 minute final saw Andrew Lester (Cronulla, NSW), Michael Novy, Mitch Rawlins (Gold Coast, QLD) and Nathan Branch (Port MacQuarie, NSW), which was by far the highest performance final of 2010.

With Novy needing to place second to take the title he came out firing, the problem was that so did the rest of the field.

Novy moved from second to third several times during the heat, with all other riders putting on an onslaught of maneuvers including a perfect 10 from Mitch Rawlins and a 9.43 from Andrew Lester.

In the end the perennial performer Andrew Lester (Cronulla, NSW) was to strong, holding on with a 17.43 over Rawlins with 16.77, Novy 15.53 and Branch 14.94.

“I am Stoked. I cant believe it. I had a game plan for the whole comp just to sit of to the right and pick of these wedges that were coming through and it’s worked.

“My goal was to qualify firstly for the pipeline comp, I did that yesterday by making the quarters and once I had done that my goal was to win”.

“It’s hard when there are guys surfing for Aussie titles, you don’t really want to knock them out but at the same time it’s a competition and it’s happen to me plenty of times before.

That left the 2010 Rebel Sport Champion to be Dave Winchester from Mullumbimby in NSW.

Winny WINS!

“I am really happy to win the title this year” Said Dave.

“It makes it all worthwhile when all the boys are surfing on tour.

“This is a really good result for me, especially going into the final international event at Confital next month”.

The Drop Knee Mens Rebel Sport Pro was won by Dave Winchester with a huge 15.30, followed very closely in second by local rider Dane Pope with 15.17 and Jake Sharp (Coff Harbor,NSW ) 12.60 and John Gibson of Queensland with 10.06.

In a thrilling girls pro event four times world champion Stephanie Peterson (Gold Coast, QLD) dominated with 15.30 over Lilly Pollard (NSW) with 11.60, Kaitlin Murphy (NSW) 8.97 and Lauren Fletcher with 8.00.

The second placing was enough for Lily to secure yet another Australsian Title.

“I am so stoked, I am really happy to win the tour again, it was pretty close against Lauren Fletcher” say Lilly

“All the girls have been surfing really well”.

“I am planning on going home and saving really hard so that I can take off next year and do the world tour.

The 2011 Rebel Sport Pro tour will begin early April, back here at Duranbah for the 2011 QAB Pro.

The event is made possible thanks to Rebel Sport, RAW Bodyboards, Tweed Tourism, Burleigh Bodyboard Shop, Bodyboarders Surf Co, Inverted Bodyboarding, Dunes, the International Bodyboarding Association Australasia and the Queensland Bodyboarding Association.

Semi Final Results

Semi Final 1: Andrew Lester 15.60, Micheal Novy 14.00, Chad Jackson 13.64, Sam Bennett 11.04
Semi Final 2: Mitch Rawlins 16.97, Nathan Branch 14.50, Cade Sharp 11.46, Ben MacKinnon 10.30

Rebel Sport Pro Mens Results
1) Andrew Lester, 17.43 (NSW)
2) Mitch Rawlins, 16.77 (QLD)
3) Michael Novy, 15.53 (QLD)
4) Nathan Branch, 14.94 (NSW)
5) Chad Jackson (Western Australia)
5) Sam Bennett (Port Macquarie, NSW)
7) Cade Sharp (Sunshine Coast, QLD)
7) Ben MacKinnon (New Zealand)

END OF RELEASE

FOR FURTHER MEDIA INFORMATION CONTACT:

TIM DOMAN
INTERNATIONAL BODYBOARDING ASSOCIATION AUSTRALASIA MEDIA MANAGER
0438 385 280
TIM@SURFINGSOUTHAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

71 Mag catches up with Mr. Michael Novy, a 25 year old ripper originally from North Avoca, but currently residing on the Gold Coast, QLD.

What is the bodyboarding community like in Australia versus the USA?
I was pretty shocked when I was in Cali last year that all the bodyboarders were older guys, not young little kid like at home. In OZ its kinda rare to see guys over 30 bodyboarding compared to there. I think it would be hard in the US cause from what I saw there’s a lot of traveling involved between spots.

What riders in Australia are ripping right now?
Just all the usual guys really. There’s a bunch of young guys that are coming up at the moment, like Tom Rigby and Alex Halsey. Then even younger groms, like Lewy Finnegan that are all ripping at the moment too.

How do the waves differ on the Central Coast of NSW vs. the Sunshine Coast?
The Central Coast is a lot of reefs but no real beaches, where as the Sunny Coast is a good mix of both but just rarely gets swell.

Who are you riding with in Australia right now?
Umm around home I go surfing a lot by myself or with groms. But if I’m going down the coast then most of the time it will be with Dallas Singer.

photo: Brendan Turner

Where have you traveled to bodyboard?
New Caledonia, Cook Islands, Bali, Hawaii, Chile, Peru, Mexico, USA, France, Spain, Portugal and Canaries.

What is your favorite bodyboard spot?
Probably a wedge down the coast, Straddie or Pipe.

How long have you been bodyboarding?
Nearly 12 or 13 years now.

photo: unknown

How many years have you competed for?
Probably about 9 or 10.

Are you doing the IBA Tour this year? Any other competitions?
Yeah still got one more event coming up in the Canaries at the beginning of December. Pretty excited cause there’s normally good waves over there.

What board(s) do you ride?
NMD PE Novy board a blue black and red one at the moment.

What’s your training regime like?
Yeah it has its ups and down, I’ve started training again recently so starting to feel good again. Normally do yoga 3 times a week, mixed in with running and then some Swiss ball training.

How is your back doing? What kind of training have you been doing differently to get your back into bodyboarding shape?
Backs fine now but I have been having problems with my neck. I had to do a lot of training when I was getting my back back to 100%. I had to do heaps of core exercises on my lower back to strengthen it.

photo: unknown

What bodyboard goals do you have?
I want to do well in the world tour next year, hopefully get in the top 5 or so if possible, maybe win the Australian tour as well would be great!

Where do you see the bodyboarding going in the future?
Hopefully I can take it to the top, I wanna be constantly pushing my limits and always improving. I get real down if I feel like I’m not improving but it motivates me to surf even more.

What riders influenced your bodyboarding?
Ben Player, Ryan Hardy, Tully Beevor and Matt Riley Mitch Rawlins and Stewart.

What is the best advice you can give to a bodyboard grom trying to get recognized?
Just to keep at it, try to get someone to film you and study the footage. Work out what you are not as good at and focus on that.

Where’s your next destination?
Canaries, leave in 4 days and am really excited. Hopefully we score good waves!

Any last words of advice or shout outs?
Just wanna thank all my mates and family.

To follow M.Novy, visit: www.michaelnovy.net

Check out Michael Novy’s riding skills below!

Michael Novy Hawaii 2010 from Waldron Bros Production on Vimeo.