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

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

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?
The Facebook public will vote with smart phones in the parking lot after the day is completed or before they leave.

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.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

FOR UPDATES AND INFORMATION, VISIT: www.dkwars.com

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

Gabriel Bustos, Spreading ALOHA. Photo: Alex Verharst

When Alex Verharst, an Orange County photographer and cinematographer, was asked to shoot for a couple of his friends in Hawaii he decided to hop on the opportunity and jet set! A round-trip ticket paid for, why wouldn’t you jump on a plane to Hawaii!?

I have met Alex a few times at local contests and have seen his work progress insanely over the past couple years. So I wanted to share with 71 Mag some work of up-and-coming Cali guys doing some good in the water.

Here is a GoPro Verharst Production you should check out…

To check out more of Alex’s work, visit his blog: http://verharstphotography.blogspot.com/

Gabriel Bustos. Photo: Alex Verharst

Gabriel Bustos & Alex Verharst. Photo: Alex Verharst