Bodyboarding finale returns to North Shore
| • | Physically and mentally beneficial, it's also fun |
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
It's already 2006, but the International Bodyboarding Association's 2005 World Tour doesn't finish until next week on O'ahu's North Shore.
After a one-year hiatus, the Rockstar Games Pipeline Pro will once again serve as the final tour event. The contest will run on the three best days between Monday and Jan. 15 at the Banzai Pipeline.
The event was denied a contest permit last year by the City & County of Honolulu, but got it back this year.
"This is by far the best venue in the world, so it means everything to come back to Pipe," said Corey Correa, the director of the Hawai'i region of the IBA.
Another world tour event was staged at Honolua Bay, Maui, last week.
Australia's Mitch Rawlins won the Maui event, and took over the No. 1 ranking going into the Pipeline contest.
Kaua'i's Jeff Hubbard is ranked No. 9 and is the only Hawai'i competitor with a shot at winning the world championship. Australia's Dave Winchester is ranked No. 2.
The last Hawai'i competitor to win the bodyboarding world championship was Mike Stewart in 1995.
Stewart is entered in next week's event and is still considered one of the top contenders, although he is not in the running for the world championship. Other top Hawai'i competitors include Spencer Skipper, Kainoa McGee and David Hubbard.
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.
