Wednesday, February 27, 2013

STATISTICS: IBA Men's GSS Wins List

STATISTICS: IBA Men's GSS Wins List




  In 2011, the IBA (International Bodyboarding Association Pty. Ltd.) implemented it's new two-tier world tour platform...the GQS (Global Qualifier Series), and the top-level GSS (Grand Slam Series) which showcases the top 24 ranked bodyboarders in the world.  Here is the list of GSS Event Winners, Rookie of the Year recipients, and World Champions from the first two years along with photos, video highlights, and a break down of total wins per rider.  Not surprisingly, the two riders with the most wins in the first two years of the IBA GSS became world champions!  I will be updating the 2013 IBA GSS GoPro Bodyboarding World Tour results as the season progresses, so check back after the conclusion of each event for updated information and video higlights.



2011 IBA GSS WORLD TOUR:

EVENT #1: The Pipeline Pro (Oahu, Hawaii), February 15-25


WINNER: Jeff Hubbard (Hawaii)





EVENT #2: The Box Pro (Margaret River, Western Australia), April 14-20


WINNER: Ryan Hardy (Australia)





EVENT #3: The Arica Chilean Challenge (Arica, Chile), May 20-29


WINNER: Guilherme Tamega (Brazil)





EVENT #4: The Zicatela Pro (Puerto Escondido, Mexico), August 4-13


WINNER: Jeff Hubbard (Hawaii)





EVENT #5: The Sintra Portugal Pro (Sintra, Portugal), August 22-28


WINNER: Uri Valadao (Brazil)





EVENT #6: The Reunion Bodyboard Pro (Reunion Island, France), September 30 - October 9


WINNER: Alex Uranga (Basque)





EVENT #7: The Encanto Pro Puerto Rico (Isabela, Puerto Rico), November 2-13


WINNER: Pierre Louis Costes (France)





EVENT #8: The Fronton Pro (Gran Canaria, Canary Islands), December 6-15


WINNER: Jason Finlay (Australia)




2011 IBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:  Alex Uranga (Basque)




2011 IBA GSS WORLD CHAMPION: Pierre Louis Costes (France)





2012 IBA GSS WORLD TOUR:

EVENT #1: The Pipe Challenge (Oahu, Hawaii), February 15-24


WINNER: Jeff Hubbard (Hawaii)





EVENT #2: The Box Pro (Margaret River, western Australia), March 26 - April 4


WINNER: Mitch Rawlins (Australia)





EVENT #3: The Arica Chilean Challenge (Arica, Chile), May 18-27


WINNER: Dave Winchester (Australia)





EVENT #4: The Itacoatiara Pro (Niteroi, Brazil), June 7-17


WINNER: Dave Winchester (Australia)





EVENT #5: The Sintra Portugal Pro (Sintra, Portugal), August 28 - September 2nd


WINNER: Pierre Louis Costes (France)





EVENT #6: The Zicatela Pro (Puerto Escondido, Mexico), September 27 - October 6


WINNER: Jeff Hubbard (Hawaii)





EVENT #7: The Encanto Pro Puerto Rico (Isabela, Puerto Rico), November 2-13


WINNER: Jeff Hubbard (Hawaii)





EVENT #8: The Fronton Pro (Gran Canaria, Canary Islands), December 7-16


WINNER: Pierre Louis Costes (France)



2012 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Yoan Florentin (Reunion Island)




2012 IBA GSS WORLD CHAMPION: Jeff Hubbard (Hawaii)





2013 IBA GOPRO GSS WORLD TOUR:

EVENT #1: The Pipe Challenge (Oahu, Hawaii), February 19 - March 1


WINNER: Ben Player (Australia)



EVENT #2: The NSW South Coast Crusade (New South Wales, Australia), April 18- May 1


WINNER: Amaury Lavernhe (Reunion Island)




EVENT #3: The Arica Chilean Challenge (Arica, Chile), May 17-26


WINNER: Ben Player (Australia)


EVENT #4: The Itacoatiara Challenge (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), June 6-16


WINNER: Amaury Lavernhe (Reunion Island)




2013 IBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: ?

2013 IBA GSS WORLD CHAMPION: Ben Player (Australia)


TOTAL IBA MEN'S GSS EVENT WINS:

Jeff Hubbard - 5 - Pipeline Pro (2011, 2012), Zicatela Pro (2011, 2012), Encanto Pro (2012)

Pierre Louis Costes - 3 - Encanto Pro (2011), Sintra Pro (2012), Fronton Pro (2012)

Dave Winchester - 2 - Arica Chilean Challenge (2012), Itacoatiara Pro (2012)

Ben Player - 2 - Pipeline Challenge (2013), Arica Chilean Challenge (2013)

Amaury Lavernhe - 2 - The NSW South Coast Crusade (2013), The Itacoatiara Pro (2013)

TIED with 1 event win each - Ryan Hardy, Guilherme Tamega, Uri Valadao, Alex Uranga, Jason Finlay, and Mitch Rawlins.



IBA MEN'S GSS WORLD CHAMPIONS:

2011 World Champion - Pierre Louis Costes

2012 World Champion - Jeff Hubbard

2013 World Champion - Ben Player

  For more information, photos, video highlights, and live webcasts from the IBA, as well as to follow along with the 2013 IBA GoPro GSS World Tour, please be sure to vist the following links:

www.ibaworldtour.com

www.youtube.com/ibaworldtour

www.facebook.com/ibaworldtour



  Stay tuned to BODYBOARDING 101 for everything bodyboarding related, including a more comprehensive "Career Wins List" later this year.  Until the next time, I'm Steve "Action" Jackson.  I'll see you in the water...YEEEWWW!!!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

HISTORY: 2011 IBA Pipeline Pro

HISTORY: 2011 IBA Pipeline Pro

  You might be wondering why I am focusing on 2011, and asking yourself, "How can 2011 be history?  It was only a couple of years ago!"  Well,  the 2011 IBA Pipeline Pro is historically significant for several reasons.




REASON #1:    First and foremost, 2011 was the premiere year of the two tier format for the IBA (International Bodyboarding Association Party Ltd.) world tour...debuting the GQS (Global Qualifier Series), and the GSS (Grand Slam Series)which features the top 24 ranked bodyboarders in the world.  The 2011 IBA Pipeline Pro was the first official event of the new IBA GSS world tour.








REASON #2:  The Legends Exhibition.  In a show of respect for bodyboarding's past and the heritage of bodyboarding at Pipeline,  the IBA invited previous champions and innovators of the sport to the event for an "exhibition final."  For a short while, the sport of bodyboarding was able to turn back the hands of time, with these riders in the water...Pat Caldwell (Hawaii), the inventor of the el rollo.  Hauoli Reeves (Hawaii), the aerial innovator.  1986 World Champion Ben Severson (Hawaii).  1993 World Champion Mike "Eppo" Eppulstun (Australia).  1997 Pipeline Champion Steve "Bullet" Mackenzie (Australia).

From Left to Right: Legends Exhibition competitors Pat Caldwell, Hauoli Reeves, Ben Severson, "Eppo," and "Bullet." Photo: IBA/Specker.



2011 Pipeline DK Champion Kim Feast (Australia).  Photo: IBA/Specker


2011 Pipeline Women's Champion Neymara Carvalho (Brasil).


REASON #3:  Jeff Hubbard's epic come-from-behind win.  With five minutes remaining in the final, young Australian Tom Rigby had a commanding lead with a combined two-wave score of 14.65.  Jeff Hubbard was in 4th place in combination situation (needing two new high scores).  Jeff scored a 9.75 and a 9.5 for a combined score of 19.25 out of a possible 20 to take the win...an amazing comeback and a truly legendary performance!




Hawaii's Jeff Hubbard celebrating his win at the 2011 IBA Pipeline Pro.  Photo: IBA


For more information, photos, and video clips please be sure to visit the IBA at:

www.ibaworldtour.com

www.youtube.com/ibaworldtour

www.facebook.com/ibaworldtour

Monday, February 25, 2013

2013 PIPE PICKS: Riders to Watch

2013 PIPE PICKS:  Riders to Watch

  Whenever I work commentary for a bodyboarding event, whether it be an IBA world tour or a USBA national tour event,  I try to remain as impartial as possible.  Seeing as how I am not in Hawaii this year working commentary for the 2013 IBA GoPro Pipe Challenge, I am afforded the opportunity to be a bit more vocal on whom I think will be the riders to watch.  Here are my 2013 Pipe Picks...

Japan's Minami Hatekyama has a legitimate chance of winning at Pipeline.  Photo: IBA

WOMEN'S PRO:


  In the Women's Pro Final, we are looking at two world champions from Brasil going up against two young up-and coming Japanese talents.  Minami Hatekyama and Sari Oohara are both still in their teens, but I have been thoroughly impressed by the level of riding demonstrated by these two over the past couple of years.  These girls are not afraid to charge Pipe and Backdoor.  They will definitely have their work cut out for them, though, going up against a pair of very competent world champions with experience in winning at Pipeline.  1999 World Champion Karla Costa Taylor is no stranger to Pipeline, having lived in Hawaii for many years now as well as having won multiple Pipe competitions in the past...the 2000 GOB (Global Organization of Bodyboarders) world tour Mike Stewart Science Pipeline Pro in which she clinched her 1999 world title, the 2010 North Shore Soap Factory Pipeline Pro, the 2011 USBA (United States Bodyboarding Association) Pipeline Pro, and the 2012 USBA Pipeline Pro.  Also in the Women's Final is the defending IBA Pipe Challenge winner, 2x World Champion Isabela Sousa.

Defending IBA Pipe Challenge winner, 2x WWT Champion Isabela Sousa from Brasil.  Photo: IBA

MY PICK:  Isabela is, in my opinion, the best women's bodyboarder in the world right now as demonstrated by her win at Pipe last year and her two world titles in the past three years...2010, 2012, with a vice-champion 2nd place for 2011.  She's always dangerous out in the water, capable of pulling off big maneuvers in critical sections that rivals the skill and power of some of the best men on the world tour.  I think the 2013 IBA GoPro Pipe Challenge Women's Final is going to be a tough battle for all four competitors, but in the end I think Isabela Sousa will repeat as Pipeline Champion.

WINNER: Isabela Sousa (Brasil)


DK PRO:




  In the Drop Knee Pro Final, we have three world champions and a legitimate contender to round things out.  Australia's Dave Winchester has been reminding people how much of a threat he can be at both DK and prone riding.  He came up just short of a world title in the Men's division last year, and he's been taking down some respectable names in the world of drop knee.  I view Winny as a bit of a "Dark Horse" in the final, but if the other competitors don't keep a close eye on him, Winny could very well make them pay the price.  Also, in the final, we will see 2010 IBA DKWT Champion Cesar Bauer (Peru).  As a former world champion, he's got the skills to get the job done.  Meanwhile, defending Pipe Challenge Champion and 2012 DK World Champion Sacha Specker (South Africa) seems to be picking up right where he left off at the conclusion of his championship season last year.  Despite being hindered by a nasty centipede bite, a bout with the flu, and lackluster conditions, thus far, he's in the final and ready to go to work.  last but not least, rounding out the 2013 IBA GoPro Pipe Challenge DK Final...

Dave Hubbard. Pipeline. Need I say more?  Photo: IBA

MY PICK:  5x World Champion Dave Hubbard (Hawaii) is in the DK Final after coming up short the past couple of years, and I think he will make the best of it.  The combination of his wave knowledge at Pipe and Backdoor, his new equipment courtesy of the new HUBBOARDS launched by his brother Jeff and himself, along with his usual free-flowing style will help make Dubb a little tougher than usual to beat.  I have no doubt that this will be a hotly contested final, but when all is said and done I think Dubb will emerge victorious as the 2013 IBA GoPro Pipe Challenge DK Champion..

WINNER:  Sacha Specker (South Africa)



MEN'S PRO:

  As I write this, only Round One and Round Two of the Men's division have been run.  When competition resumes, there are still a lot of heats to go through, and the field of competitors is still very much wide open.  Almost on a yearly basis, the Pipe Challenge is graced with unexpected stand-out performances from one rider or another.  I don't expect this year to be any different.  With a very talented pool of Trialists, Wildcards, and seeded competitors waiting to hit the water I'm not counting anyone out at this point.  Having said that, here are five riders I think everyone should watch for along with my pick for Pipe champion this year...

PLC has been having a solid North Shore season, and should definitely be considered a contender  at Pipe.  Photo: MTN

5 RIDERS TO WATCH IN THE MEN'S PRO:

1.  MIKE STEWART (Hawaii) -  9x World Champion Mike Stewart's wave knowledge at Pipeline is unmatched, as is his level of success.  In 30 years of Pipeline competitions, he has finished in the Top 3 in 15 of those events...that's an unheard of 50% of the Pipe Bodyboarding competitions EVER...including a 3rd place finish in the 1982 event, a 2nd place finish in 2012, and 11 Pipeline championship wins in between!  Odds are pretty good that, if Pipe is in form, Stewart will be on the hunt.

2.  GUILHERME TAMEGA (Brazil) -  6x World Champion Guilherme Tamega has a rather respectable record at Pipeline as well.  GT is a 2x Pipeline Champion (1994, 2002) along with 10 other Top 4 Pipeline appearances.  His aggressive competive style is legendary.  Pipeline is his home break these days.  Never count him out.

3.  JEFF HUBBARD (Hawaii) -  3x World Champion Jeff Hubbard is the 4x Pipeline Champion and defending champ, having won back-to-back Pipe events the past two years.  If he's in the final, Hubb is always a threat...in five finals appearances, he has never finished lower than 2nd...and even when he's down he's never completely out of contention.  This was a lesson we all learned in 2011, when he came from a 4th place combination situation (needing two new high scores) to win in the final five minutes.

4.  PIERRE LOUIS COSTES (France) -  2011 World Champion Pierre Louis Costes' only finals appearance at Pipeline came in the form of his 2nd place finish in 2009.  Keep in mind that, despite being an IBA world tour veteran and already having a world title to his name, PLC is still only in his early 20's.  We have yet to see him at his best.  If he can put together a consistent performance at Pipeline, he could very well walk away with the crown.

5.  JARED HOUSTON (South Africa) - 2010 Rookie of the Year Jared Houston has two 3rd place finishes at Pipeline (2010, 2011).  After missing the final last year, look for Jerry to make his charge not only to make a return to the final but to take his shot at the win.

4x Pipeline Champion Jeff Hubbard at Backdoor.  Glide Photo.

MY PICK:  I'm going with Hubb for the Pipeline 3-peat.  Jeff has a chance to add another piece of bodyboarding history to his already impressive list of career accomplishments.  If he can win his third in a row, Jeff would become only the second men's bodyboarder in history to  be crowned Pipeline Champion in three or more consecutive years...behind only Mike Stewart who won Pipeline an impressive six consecutive times between 1987-1992.

WINNER:  Ben Player (Australia)



  UPDATED on 2 MARCH 2013:  Well, I called the winner in the Women's Pro.  Congratulations to Isabela Sousa for winning back-to-back Pipeline titles.  In the DK Pro, it was Sacha Specker also defending his title and making it two in a row at Pipeline.  Well done, Spex!  In the Mens Pro, I picked two out of the four finalists...Jeff Hubbard and Pierre Louis Costes.  In the end, though, it was Ben Player claiming a long sought-after Pipe win to walk away as the 2013 IBA GoPro Pipe Challenge Champion.  Great job, BP!  Until the next time, I'm Steve "Action" Jackson.  See you out in the water...YEEEWWW!!!

Friday, February 15, 2013

IN MEMORIAM: Connor Cameron

IN MEMORIAM: Connor Cameron

Connor Cameron

ONE YEAR AGO...

  It was just past midnight when I got the worst phone call of my life.  My wife had already gone upstairs to bed.  I was hanging out downstairs by myself, channel surfing the TV, when my phone rang.  It was my friend, Pat Hemenway.  I don't really remember much of anything from the phone conversation other than the words, "Connor's dead."  A chill ran through my entire body.  I went numb.  I couldn't believe what I was hearing.  Connor stepped in front of an oncoming train and committed suicide?  I remember thinking to myself, "This can't be real.  This isn't happening."  I got off of the phone with Pat and just sat there, on the couch, in a state of disbelief.  My mind was a screaming blur of thoughts and questions, but I couldn't speak.

Jason Roach (Australia), Steve "Action" Jackson (New Jersey), Ray Collins (Australia), and Connor.  Early morning fire on the beach, waiting for the sunrise in Mexico.  Cabo Freak Fest 2010.  Photo: Brian Wong

  I walked up the stairs to the bedroom.  Standing at the side of the bed, looking down at my wife sleeping, I couldn't bring myself to wake her up.  For a moment, I felt paralyzed by the idea of telling her what I needed to.  In my head, the idea, "This isn't real if I don't say it," was making it harder to say the words.  What was a few seconds felt like an eternity, the weight of reality growing ever heavier.  Finally, I collapsed to my knees and broke down into tears.  My wife woke up, startled by the sight and sound of her sobbing husband, and asked what was wrong.  "Connor's dead."  Speaking those words completely leveled me.  I have never, in my entire life, felt so heartbroken as I did in that moment.

Connor's first surf trip, Cabo Freak Fest 2010.  Cruising the pacific side of Mex for waves.


Connor,
  I wish you had stuck around, kid.  You were only 15.  You had so much life left to live.  You left so much potential unrealized.  There are so many grand adventures and epic bodyboarding sessions that you were going to experience...and I was looking forward to being right there with you.  You left so many friends and family to deal with the pain, anger, and sadness of your loss.  I know you had a lot to deal with in your life, but suicide was not the answer.  You had so many people in your life that you could have turned to for help.  The last time I spoke with you, you were so stoked about getting out in the water for the next swell so that we could hit up a bodyboarding session and you could try out your new board.  I never would have imagined that our last session together would be me and your dad paddling your ashes out to the line-up at your home break.


 
Connor's memorial paddle-out in New Jersey, February 2012.  South End Beach in Spring Lake.  Photo: Chris Zeh.
  The past year without you has been difficult, for me and everyone who knew you.  I've had moments where I've felt absolutely furious with you for what you did.  There are times when just the mere thought, or mention, of you has brought tears to my eyes.  I have mourned your death.  More importantly, though, I have chosen to celebrate your life.  I am thankful for having known you, and will carry your memory with me throughout the rest of my life.  I loved bodyboarding with you.  No matter what, I will always love you, "Grommie."  You were my "unofficially adopted son," "my brother," and my friend.  That will never change.  That is forever.



Thursday, February 14, 2013

HISTORY: Men's Pipeline Champions

HISTORY: Men's Pipeline Champions


  From 1982 to 1994, the Pipeline event served as a stand-alone world championship for the sport of bodyboarding.  The winner would be crowned not only as the Pipeline Champion, but the World Champion as well.  Even as the sport of bodyboarding progressed and evolved into a world tour...first in the form of the GOB (Global Organization of Bodyboarders), then the IBA (International Bodyboarding Association), and its current governing body by way of the APB (Association of Professional Bodyboarders)...Pipeline has remained as one of the crown jewels for our sport.  every bodyboarder dreams of winning at Pipeline.  It is still the benchmark for all of us, a proving ground for each bodyboarder's wave riding abilities.  These are the men whom have written their names into the history books of bodyboarding with their demonstations of skill and courage in taking on "Her Majesty."  Here are the Men's Pipeline Champions!


Bodyboarding's first Pipeline World Champion, Hawaiian Daniel Kaimi.  Photo: Chris Stroh's Bodyboard Museum
1982 International Morey Boogie Bodyboard Pro Championships
(held in December 1982)

1.  Daniel Kaimi - Hawaii
2.  Jack Lindholm - Hawaii
3.  Mike Stewart - Hawaii
4.  Joe Teipel - Hawaii


1983 International Morey Boogie Bodyboard Pro Championships
(held in December 1983)

1.  Mike Stewart - Hawaii
2.  Pat Caldwell - Hawaii
3.  Ben Severson - Hawaii
4.  Jack Lindholm - Hawaii


1984 International Morey Boogie Bodyboard Pro Championships
(originally scheduled for December 1984, it was rescheduled and run in January 1985)

1.  Mike Stewart - Hawaii
2.  Pat Caldwell - Hawaii
3.  Jack Lindholm - Hawaii
4.  Tom Boyle - Hawaii


1986 Pipe contest. (From Left to Right) Jack Linholm (6th place), Mike Stewart (2nd place), Keith Sasaki (4th place), JP Patterson (5th place), Pat Caldwell (3rd place), and Ben Severson (Champion). Photo: Bodyboard Museum.

1986 Morey Boogie International Professional Championships
(held in January 1986)

1.  Ben Severson - Hawaii
2.  Mike Stewart - Hawaii
3.  Pat Caldwell - Hawaii
4.  Keith Sasaki - Hawaii


1987 Morey Boogie Bodyboard Championships
(held in January 1987)

1.  Mike Stewart - Hawaii
2.  Ben Severson - Hawaii
3.  Tom Boyle - Hawaii
4.  JP Patterson - California


1988 Crush International Bodyboard Championships
(held in January 1988)

1.  Mike Stewart - Hawaii
2.  Dean Marzol - Hawaii
3.  Pat Caldwell - Hawaii
4.  Alexandre de Pontes - Brasil


1989 Crush International Bodyboard Championships
(held in January 1989)

1.  Mike Stewart - Hawaii
2.  Ben Severson - Hawaii
3.  Keith Sasaki - Hawaii
4.  Jay Reale - USA

11x Pipeline Champion Mike Stewart has experienced a level of consistency and success  that  will most likely never be witnessed again in the sport of bodyboarding!


1990 Morey Boogie International Bodyboard Championships
(held in January 1990)

1.  Mike Stewart - Hawaii
2.  Ben Severson - Hawaii
3.  Alexandre de Pontes - Brasil
4.  Chris Burkart - Hawaii


1991 Morey Boogie World Championships
(held in January 1991)

1.  Mike Stewart - Hawaii
2.  Kainoa McGee - Hawaii
3.  Ben Severson - Hawaii
4.  Guilherme Tâmega - Brasil


1992 Morey Boogie Pro Championships
(held in January 1992)

1.  Mike Stewart - Hawaii
2.  Kainoa McGee - Hawaii
3.  Guilherme Tâmega - Brasil
4.  Alexandre de Pontes - Brasil

With his 1993 win at Pipeline, "Eppo" became the first Australian/ non-Hawaiian to win the event and become world champion.

1993 Morey Boogie Pro Championships
(held in January 1993)

1.  Mike "Eppo" Eppelstun - Australia
2.  Guilherme Tâmega - Brasil
3.  Mike Stewart - Hawaii
4.  Aka Lyman - Hawaii


1994 Morey Boogie Pro Championships
(held in January 1994)

1.  Mike Stewart - Hawaii
2.  Ben Severson - Hawaii
3.  Ben Holland - Australia
4.  Brian Wise - USA


2x Pipeline Champion Guilherme Tamega's 10-point ride at the 1994 Pipeline Pro helped propel him to his first Pipe victory.  Photo: Chris Stroh's Bodyboarding Museum.


1995 Morey Bodyboards World Championships
(1994 GOB World Tour finale, held in January 1995)

1.  Guilherme Tâmega - Brasil
2.  Kainoa McGee - Hawaii
3.  Paul Tarpley - Hawaii
4.  Matt Walbrou - Tahiti



1996 Morey Bodyboards World Championships
(1995 GOB World Tour finale, held in January 1996)

1.  Mike Stewart - Hawaii
2.  Spencer Skipper - Hawaii
3.  Guilherme Tâmega - Brasil
4.  Alistair Taylor - South Africa

1993 Pipeline Champion Mike "Eppo" Eppelstun and 1997 Pipeline Champion Steve "Bullet" Mackenzie on the beach during the 2011 Pipeline Pro. Photo: Bodyboarding 101.

1997 Morey Bodyboards World Championships
(1996 GOB World Tour finale, held in January 1997)

1.  Steve "Bullet" Mackenzie - Australia
2.  Kainoa McGee - Hawaii
3.  Daniel Rocha - Brasil
4.  Alistair Taylor - South Africa


1998 Morey Bodyboards World Championships
(1997 GOB World Tour finale, held in January 1998)

1.  Mike Stewart - Hawaii
2.  Guilherme Tâmega - Brasil
3.  Kainoa McGee - Hawaii
4.  Alistair Taylor - South Africa


1999 Morey Bodyboards World Championships
(1998 GOB World Tour finale, held in January 1999)

1.  Andre Botha -South Africa
2.  Steve Mackenzie - Australia
3.  Ben Holland - Australia
4.  Guilherme Tâmega - Brasil

Andre Botha's back-to-back wins at Pipeline helped him make history in several ways.  He  is the first and only South African bodyboarder to win Pipeline, the first South African to win a world title (1998 and 1999), and in doing so became the youngest Men's Champion (17) in bodyboarding history.  Photo: Chris Stroh's Bodyboard Museum


2000 Morey Bodyboards World Championships
(1999 GOB World Tour, held in January 2000)

1.  Andre Botha - South Africa
2.  Ruben "Babby" Quinones - Puerto Rico
3.  Lanson Ronquilio - Hawaii
4.  Nicolas Capdeville - France


2001 Mike Stewart Science Pipeline Pro
(2000 GOB World Tour finale, held in January 2001)

1.  Andrew Lester - Australia
2.  Guilherme Tâmega - Brasil
3.  Jesse Cooper - Hawaii
4.  David Perez - Spain


2002 Mike Stewart Science Pipeline Pro
(2001 GOB World Super Tour finale, held in January 2002)

1.  Guilherme Tâmega - Brasil
2.  Ben Player - Australia
3.  Ryan Hardy - Australia
4.  Rui Ferreira - Portugal


2003 Rockstar Games Pipeline Pro
(2002 GOB World Super Tour, held Jan. 30- Feb. 7 2003)

1.  Jeff Hubbard - Hawaii
2.  Andre Botha - South Africa
3.  Ben Player - Australia
4.  Alistair Taylor - South Africa


2x Pipeline Champion Damian King. Photo: IBA

2004 Rockstar Games Pipeline Pro
(2003 IBA World Super Tour, held in January 2004)

1.  Damian King - Australia
2.  Spencer Skipper - Hawaii
3.  Rui Ferreira - Portugal
4.  Guilherme Tâmega - Brasil


2005- No Pipeline Event
(2004 IBA World Super Tour finale was held at Honolua, Maui)


2006 Rockstar Games Pipeline Pro
(2005 IBA World Tour finale, held in January 2006)

1.  Damian King - Australia
2.  Ben Player - Australia
3.  Ryan Hardy - Australia
4.  Cedric Defaure - France


2007 Rockstar Games Pipeline Pro
(2006 IBA World Tour finale, held in January 2007)

1.  Jeff Hubbard - Hawaii
2.  Guilherme Tâmega - Brasil
3.  Amaury Lavernhe - Reunion Island
4.  Andre Botha - South Africa


2008 IBA Pipeline Pro
(IBA World Tour, held in February 2008)

1.  Paulo Barcellos - Brasil
2.  Jeff Hubbard - Hawaii
3.  Uri Valadão - Brasil
4.  Hugo Pinheiro - Portugal


2009 IBA Turbo Pipeline Pro
(IBA World Tour, held in February 2009)

1.  Ryan Hardy - Australia
2.  Pierre Louis Costes - France
3.  Guilherme Tâmega - Brasil
4.  Dave Winchester - Australia


2010 IBA Turbo Pipeline Pro
(IBA World Tour, held in February 2010)

1.  Amaury Lavernhe - Reunion Island
2.  Diego Cabrera - Canary Islands
3.  Jared Houston - South Africa
4.  Damian King - Australia

Commentators Steve "Action" Jackson (left) and Manny Vargas (right) congratulating  Jeff Hubbard after his win at the 2011 Pipeline Pro.  Photo: Beeg Todd.

2011 IBA Pipeline Pro
(IBA World Tour, held in February 2011)

1.  Jeff Hubbard - Hawaii
2.  Tom Rigby - Australia
3.  Jared Houston - South Africa
4.  Dallas Singer - Australia


2012 IBA Pipe Challenge
(IBA Grand Slam Series World Tour, held in February 2012)

1.  Jeff Hubbard - Hawaii
2.  Mike Stewart - Hawaii
3.  Dave Winchester - Australia
4. Sam Bennett - Australia


2013 IBA GoPro Pipe Challenge
(IBA GSS World Tour, February 16th - March 1st))

1.  Ben Player - Australia
2.  Jeff Hubbard - Hawaii
3.  Pierre Louis Costes - France
4.  Dave Hubbard - Hawaii


2014 APB Pipe Challenge
(APB World Tour, February 18th-28th)

1. Ben Player - Australia
2. Uri Valadão - Brasil
3. Spencer Skipper - Hawaii
4. Jared Houston - South Africa

2x Pipeline Champion Ben Player. Photo: Riptide

2015 - No Pipeline Contest


2016 Mike Stewart Pipeline Invitational
(APB World Bodyboarding Tour, February 18th - March 5th)

1. Pierre Louis Costes - France
2. Jacob Romero - Hawaii
3. Jared Houston - South Africa
4. Lewy Finnegan - Australia

2016 Pipeline Champion and 2x World Champion PLC. Photo: APB.

2017 Mike Stewart Pipeline Invitational
(APB World Tour, February 25th - March 10th)

1. Jeff Hubbard - Hawaii
2. Iain Campbell - South Africa
3. Alex Uranga - Basque
4. Ben Player - Australia

2018 - No Pipeline Contest

2019 Mike Stewart Pipeline Invitational
(APB World Tour, confirmed for February 24th - March 8th)

The information from 1982-2010 was compiled by Craig Hadden of the Association of Professional Bodyboarders (APB).

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