| Hawaii gets set for the 2010 Turbo Bodyboards Pipe Pro |
| Saturday, 26 December 2009 09:38 |
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The 2010 IBA World Men’s Tour will launch in February when the first Grand Slam gets underway at Pipeline in Hawaii with the Turbo Bodyboards Pipe Pro. Pipe has long been the holy grail of International bodyboarding and a massive rollup of the worlds best is expected for the event. Once again Turbo Bodyboards will sponsor the Grand Slam contest and IBA general manager Terry McKenna is very happy to have them committed again. “The guys at Turbo have a great understanding of the big picture and since day 1 they have been forthcoming with support on all levels of the sport” said Mckenna. “They are a hardcore company with a rich history and a team of staunch supporters so we couldn’t be happier that they are back in 2010” Gregg Taylor Managing Director of Turbo Bodyboards echoed the sentiments: "The IBA Turbo Bodyboards Pipeline Grand Slam sponsorship is a very important partnership for our company. Turbo Surf Design's roots trace back to Hawaii and we are committed to re-instating the Pipe event to be the greatest showcase of the sport of bodyboarding. We hope it encourages other companies in the industry to invest money back into the sport that we are all so passionate about. It is only with this level of support that bodyboarding will reach its true potential." Revered world wide for its ferocity and beauty, the Pipeline has only ever been mastered by a few men throughout history. Its caverns are the biggest test of an athlete’s mental & physical ability and a win here can catapult a rider to instant International fame. origins. From Russ Browns first hand made performance bodyboards through to today’s elite aerobatics, Pipe has been there. World champions have all held their trophies high at Pipe, regarded as the longest running world tour contest in history. PAST CHAMPIONS 2009 Ryan Hardy Australia 2008 Paulo Barellos Brazil 2007 No event 2006 Jeff Hubbard Hawaii 2005 Damian King Australia 2004 Damian King Australia 2003 Damian King Australia 2002 Jeff Hubbard Hawaii 2001 Guilherme Tamega Brazil 2000 Andrew Lester Australia 1999 Andre Botha Sth Africa 1998 Andre Botha Sth Africa 1997 Mike Stewart Hawaii 1996 Steve McKenzie Australia 1995 Mike Stewart Hawaii 1994 Mike Stewart Hawaii 1993 Michael Eppelstun Australia 1992 Mike Stewart Hawaii 1991 Mike Stewart Hawaii 1990 Mike Stewart Hawaii 1989 Mike Stewart Hawaii 1988 Mike Stewart Hawaii 1987 Mike Stewart Hawaii 1986 Ben Severnson Hawaii 1985 No event 1984 Mike Stewart Hawaii
Only 140 riders will be seeded into the main event with the remaining 4 spots up for grabs in the trials. The entry forms will be available in early January and riders without a IBA World Tour ranking are reminded that the seeding criteria for these contestants will be the date that the entry / payment is received. Supporting sponsors include: Miller Light, Bodyglove, Sunzapper, 662 MOB ride-store Honolulu and Dave & Busters and fluidzone.com.
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.
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