CURRENT EVENTS: Bodyboarding News

CURRENT EVENTS: Bodyboarding News

  It's been a pretty busy month in the world of bodyboarding, and continues to be as such, so let's dive right into it!


THE 2012 IBA TURBO ZICATELA PRO BEGINS TODAY

  PUERTO ESCONDIDO, MEXICO-  The rescheduled contest window for the 2012 IBA Turbo Zicatela Pro (Sept. 27th - Oct. 6th) begins today.  Coming into this event, Australia's Dave Winchester is looking to clinch his first ever world title but defending 2011 world champion Pierre Louis Costes (France, currently ranked 2nd), 2x world champion Jeff Hubbard (Hawaii, currently ranked 3rd), South African Mark McCarthy (currently ranked 5th), and 6x world champion Guilherme Tamega (Brasil, currently ranked 6th) are still fighting to stay alive in the title hunt.  2x world champion Ben Player (Australia, currently ranked 4th) will not be attending, thereby eliminating him from world title contention.  Stay tuned to www.ibaworldtour.com for all of the latest news, updates, and highlights.


MANNY VARGAS OFF OF IBA COMMENTARY FOR REMAINDER OF 2012 SEASON

  SAN DIEGO, CA- In a surprising development, IBA Mens Grand Slam Series webcast commentator Manny Vargas announced he will not be in attendance at the final three IBA world tour stops (Mexico, Puerto Rico, Canary Islands) for the remainder of the 2012 season, and expressed doubt towards his possible return for 2013.  In a filmed video statement (attached below), Manny thanked the IBA, all of the riders, as well as all of the IBA fans.

For more about this, visit Manny's blog:
http://mannyvinthewater.blogspot.com.br/2012/09/iba-webcast-gig-update.html?spref=fb



SACHA SPECKER CLINCHES 2012 IBA DKWT TITLE

  South African Sacha Specker is the new IBA Drop Knee World Champion for 2012! "Spex," as he is called, clinch his first ever world title with a 2nd place finish at the 2012 Bodyboard Pro Festival in Venezuela (more info on BPF below).  Visit www.ibaworldtour.com for all the latest news and updates.



ISABELA SOUSA BECOMES 2X IBA WOMENS WORLD CHAMPION

  Coming off of back-to-back wins in Brasil and Venezuala (more information below), Brazilian Isabela Sousa has secured the 2012 IBA WWT title to become 2x World Champion. This is Isabela's second title in three years, having won the WWT in 2010 and finishing 2nd in 2011. Be sure to visit www.ibaworldtour.com for all of the latest news and updates.



EDER LUCIANO WINS 6-STAR GQS AT BODYBOARD PRO FESTIVAL IN VENEZUELA

  ISLA DE MARGERITA, VENEZUELA-  Brasil's Eder Luciano was able to fend off Adnane Benslimane (Morocco) to win the 6-Star Mens GQS final at Bodyboard Pro Festival 2012, and collect the 2000 points to put towards his overall 2012 season ranking on the IBA Global Qualifier Series.  Also, coming away with wins at BPF 2012 were Isabela Sousa (Brasil) and Dave Hubbard (Hawaii).  Isabela won her second consecutive WWT Grand Slam Series event, and clinched the 2012 WWT title in the process.

5x DKWT champion Dave Hubbard came away with the Drop Knee Grand Slam Series win in Venezuela, but watched Sacha Specker (South Africa) take the 2012 DKWT title with his 2nd place finish at Bodyboard Pro Festival.

Be sure to visit www.bodyboardprofestival.com as well as www.ibaworldtour.com for all the latest news and updates.


BRAHIM IDDOUCH WINS 6-STAR GQS AT RIO BODYBOARDING INTERNATIONAL 2012

  RIO DE JANEIRO, BRASIL-  Morocco's Brahim Iddouch beat out Reunion Island's Yoan Florentin to win the 6-Star GQS at Rio Bodyboarding International 2012 and collect the $9,000USD winners check along with the valuable 2000pts to help improve his overal ranking on the 2012 IBA Global Qualifier Series. Also, in the process of winning, Brahim became the first Moroccan bodyboarder to win a major IBA world tour event.  As if that were not impresive enough, Brahim (who entered this event without a board sponsor) signed on with Pride Bodyboards during the course of the competition.

Also, coming away with a victory in the WWT Grand Slam Series portion of the event was 2010 world champion Isabela Sousa (Brasil) who held off defending 2011 world champion Eunate Aguirre in the final to claim the $6000USD winner's check and points towards the WWT rankings.

Be sure to check out www.riobodyboarding.com.br and www.ibaworldtour.com for all of the latest news, updates, and highlights.



JEFF HUBBARD SETS NEW MARK IN US BODYBOARDING HISTORY

In clinching the 2012 USBA Mens Pro National Title, Hawaii's Jeff Hubbard has become 9x US National Champion surpassing the previous mark set my bodyboarding legend Mike Stewart (Hawaii) for most national titles in US bodyboarding history.



KAHEKILI LABATTE WINS 2012 USBA SCION JENKS PRO

  PT. PLEASANT, NEW JERSEY, USA-  Maui young gun Kahekile Labatte claimed his first ever Pro division win at the 2012 USBA Scion Jenks Pro (Sept. 1st-10th), the season finale for the US national tour.  Kahekili used big backflips in solid surf provided by Hurricane Leslie to put up some big scores...including a 9 in the early portion of the Mens Pro Final.  Labatte, also, won the Open Amateur division at this year's competition.  Here's a look at all of the 2012 USBA Scion Jenks Pro/Am winners...

Mens Pro- Kahekili Labatte (Hawaii)
Womens Pro- Izamar Vivas (Venezuela)
DK Pro- Dave Hubbard (Hawaii)

Open Amateur- Kahekili Labatte (Hawaii)
14-18 Amateur- Patrick Orr (Hawaii)
13 & Under Amateur- Tanner McDaniel (Hawaii)

...and here are the 2012 USBA National Champions...

Mens Pro- Jeff Hubbard (Hawaii)
Womens Pro- Roberta Bitzer (Brasil)
DK Pro- Dave Hubbard (Hawaii)

Open Amateur- Sammy Morretino (Hawaii)
14-18 Amateur- Sammy Morretino (Hawaii)
13 & Under Amateur- Tanner McDaniel (Hawaii)

Visit www.usbatour.com for all of the latest news, updates, and highlights.