Surfing, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing and Bodyboarding News Center. Breaking News, Surfing Games, Surf Movies, Board Size Charts, Surf Videos, Wind and Wave Forecasts, Surf Shop, Surf Spots, Surf Cams, Surf Travel.
Jeff Hubbard wins the 2011 IBA Pipeline Pro
Wednesday, 23 February 2011 09:45

Jeff Hubbard: Pipe specialist

Jeff Hubbard has conquered the 2011 IBA Pipeline Pro, in Hawaii. In one-to-two metre waves, Hubbard earned 2000 valuable GSS ratings points and the lead of the world bodyboarding rankings. This is the third Pipeline Pro title claimed by Jeff Hubbard, after taking it in 2002 and 2006.

His victory was an incredible come-from-behind effort that saw him snatch the title in the dying moments, from a host of hungry rookies: Tom Rigby, Jared Houston, and Dallas Singer. "I felt like I was surfing form behind all day. I finally got in a rhythm in the finals at the very last minute. But I was in combo-land for 17 minutes. I thought to myself, ‘what’s happened?’. I just felt totally out of rhythm again. I thought I have to dig deep, it’s my local spot, it’s the final – no one was giving an inch. So I just tried harder and it all fell together," said Hubbard.

Watch the final video highlights of the 2011 IBA Pipeline Pro, here.

With seven minutes remaining in the 35-minute decider, Hubbard’s chances looked dashed. In fourth place and requiring two waves to have a hope of winning, it looked like debutant and upstart, Rigby, would have his first-ever taste of victory.
Then Hubbard did the unthinkable, pulling a near-perfect 9.75 ride out of a possible 10, for a huge ARS (air, reverse spin) followed by two rolls, to push himself into third place and contention.

Two minutes later, Hubbard was again up and riding, pulling into a deep Backdoor cave before launching to the heavens, to pull the ultimate Houdini act, earning a 9.5 from the judges and victory.

"It’s probably the most exciting final I’ve ever had out here. I’m over the moon! To come from so far behind and then take first place, I’m really feeling it right now. Wow!”

Rookie Rigby was on the verge of history. He earned his spot via his local Australian qualifying series and surfed his way through nine rounds qualify for his first ever Grand Slam final. "I’m living in a dream world right now. I really had no expectations of making the final. To beat Hardy in the quarters, he has always been a hero of mine, was awesome. And Amaury, the world champ. It’s been an amazing day. Congratulations to Hubb, I’m just stoked to be able to surf a final against all these guys, It’s pretty surreal." said Rigby.

Jared Houston finished third at Pipeline last year during his debut appearance at elite level and matched that effort again today. Fourth place went to Australian Dallas Singer.

The next event on the IBA World Tour is scheduled for April 14-20 at The Box, a notorious shallow, right hand reef break situated near Margaret River, West Australia. The Box event will also be the first to feature the new three-round non-elimination format that will be utilized at each remaining location on the 2011 GSS tour.

MEN’S GRAND SLAM SERIES

FINAL - IBA PIPELINE PRO

1st Jeff Hubbard (Haw) 2000pts $6,000
2nd Tom Rigby (AUS) 1720pts $3,800
3rd Jared Houston (ZAF) 1460pts $3,000
4th Dallas Singer (AUS) 1340pts $2,000

SEMI-FINALS
SF1: 1st Tom Rigby (AUS), 2nd Dallas Singer (AUS), 3rd Mark McCarthy (ZAF), 4th Yeray Martinez (CNY)
SF2: 1st Jeff Hubbard (Haw), 2nd Jared Houston (ZAF), 3rd Pierre Louis Costes (FRA), 4th Guilherme Tamega (BRA)


 

Join our surfing community in Facebook!   Get the top news stories in your Twitter account!   SurferToday.com on Google +   Follow us on Pinterest   SurferToday on Youtube

Wave Height Forecast
Check the Wind Forecast for your surfing region
Wave Period
The best bodyboarding fins in the world
The best bodyboarding wipeouts ever
Online Surfing Games
How to buy a bodyboard?
The best surf watches in the world
Surf Movies

SURFING

Jordy Smith wins the Billabong Rio Pro 2013
19/05/2013
article thumbnail

Jordy Smith has conquered the Billabong Pro Rio 2013, in clean two-to-four foot (1 meter) waves, at the primary site of Barra da Tijuca, in front of thousands of surf fans.
The best ocean conditions of the entire Billabong Pro Rio 2013 came in the finals' day, with Jordy Smith beating Adriano de Souza in the last heat of the last day of the event waiting period. Win it or break it. Adriano de Souza and Jordy Smith were up and riding with different trumps under their belts. The Brazilian w [ ... ]


Guinness confirms Shawn Dollar's 61-foot paddle-in wave record
19/05/2013
article thumbnail

The Guinness World Records have officially certified Shawn Dollar's 61-foot wave, at the Cortes Bank, off the coast of California, as a new paddle-in world record.
The 30-year-old resident of Santa Cruz, California, caught the superlative wave on December 21, 2012 during a terrifying session at the Cortes Bank, a notorious offshore hazard to shipping located over 100 miles west of San Diego in international waters. A panel of experts measured the wave at 61 feet on the face. Dollar caught th [ ... ]


+ Surfing News

KITEBOARDING

"Death loop" kills kitesurfer in Quebec
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

A 32-year-old kitesurfer has passed away when he was sailing on the Lake of Two Mountains, in Quebec, Canada.
Julien Blanchard was enjoying a kitesurfing session in the part of the river delta widening of the Ottawa River, in Quebec, when he suffered what is commonly called the "death loop". The rider was dragged to his death on the lake, after fell and being kept underwater by his kite for about 20 minutes.


Kiteboard Open 2013 set for Noordwijk
13/05/2013
article thumbnail

The Kiteboard Open 2013 will run between the 18th-20th May, in Noordwijk, Netherlands.
During three days, the west of the Netherlands is invaded by some of the best regional kitesurfers in a beach lifestyle festival. Ruben Lenten, Kevin and Jalou Langeree will be showing off in the Kiteboard Open 2013, at the their home spot.


+ Kitesurfing News

WINDSURFING

Taty Frans and Kiri Thode blast the Curacao Challenge 2013
17/05/2013
article thumbnail

Taty Frans and Kiri Thode have claimed the Slalom and Freestyle titles at the Curacao Challenge 2013, in the Netherlands Antilles.
A total of 85 windsurfers from some of the world's best sailing countries like Bonaire, Aruba and Curacao competed in front of hundreds of spectators. The 5th edition of the Curacao Challenge showcased an high level of competition mixed with a great atmosphere. The event held a Tow-In Freestyle contest, Slalom races and a SUP battle.


The windsurfing book for young people
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

"Go Windsurfing!" is a windsurfing book for young people published by the Royal Yachting Association.
Written and illustrated by Claudia Myatt, "RYA Go Windsurfing!" offers easy reading style and engaging content to children aged between 7-12 years old. The entertaining and clear format takes the reader from the beginnings through to starting to race and what they need to know to stay safe while out windsurfing. There is also an informative section at the back which explores Windsurfing amaz [ ... ]


+ Windsurfing News

BODYBOARDING

Dan Ryan air drops into vertical Teahupoo
15/05/2013
article thumbnail

Dan Ryan has scored epic air drops into deep barrels, in Teahupoo, Tahiti, during the largest swell of the year.
The adrenaline-fueled 13th May 2013 has been considered an historical big wave surfing day, in the French Polynesian island. Too big to paddle-in, too vertical for surfers. No worries. Dan Ryan, member of the big wave bodyboarding club, was one of the few prone riders defying fear, at the Teahupoo bowl. When the moment came, he went for it, big time.


World's best tube riders fly to El Gringo
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

The 2013 IBA GoPro Arica Chilean Challenge kicks off on the 17th May, in Arica, Chile, at the infamous El Gringo bodyboarding spot.
The third stop of the 2013 IBA World Tour is a Grand Slam Series events, which means there's a lot at stake. With $40,000 in prize money and 2000 points for the winner, Chile is a must. Moreover, the Arica Chilean Challenge is celebrating its 10th anniversary and all riders will be trying to claim the trophy, in front of thousands of hardcore bodyboarding fans.  [ ... ]


+ Bodyboarding News