At this stage it can be confirmed with certainty that an IBA Specialty event will proceed in the original event window of February 16 – March 1. The IBA Speciality Event will be managed locally by Ben Severson and Jason Bitzer, allowing riders to compete at the infamous Hawaii Pipeline for prize money. The IBA Speciality Event will not carry IBA World Tour points, though will include Mens, Womens and Drop Knee divisions. Further details of the event format will be provided in the coming days.
There are continued efforts to re-instate the IBA Pipe Challenge to the original GSS World Tour status. Numerous last minute sponsorship discussions are taking place on the back of the wide spread and positive support of the bodyboarding community.
In the event that the outcome of the sponsorship discussions is positive the IBA Speciality event will be replaced by the original GSS World Tour event for all 3 divisions. In the event that the outcome of the sponsorship discussions is negative the IBA Speciality event will continue regardless.
“Irrespective of the outcome, the IBA would like to thank the large and passionate bodyboard community for the positive efforts by the majority of followers to work towards an outcome in light of the situation with the 2013 Pipe Challenge. The support from industry companies has also been overwhelming and appreciated. It was the positive actions of the bodyboarding community that will ensure an event will be held at Pipe in the original event window.
Further updates will be provided Friday afternoon Hawaiian time.”
Alex Leon – IBA World Tour Manager.
