Beeeauuwdy

What ever happened to bodysurfing Comps in Oz?


37th annual Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic 2011 Results:

Mike Stewart HAW 1st Place
Kai Santos HAW 2nd Place
Chrisotpher Kalima HAW 3rd Place
Frederic David FRA 4th Place
Ryan Hailsones HAW 5th Place
Craig Watson HAW 6th Place


The Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic
Sponsors Include Patagonia, Viper Fins & CTS Foundation
(Honolulu, HI) February 17, 2010 —

The holding period for the 37th annual Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic
presented by Patagonia, Viper Fins & CTS Foundation, on the North
Shore of Oahu, will begin February 16th , 2010 and will run through
February 26th , 2010.

This half day event will be held when the conditions at Pipeline are
the best available during the holding period (based on swell and wind
direction as well as size). The preferred conditions for this event will
be 6 to 8 foot (12? to 15? faces) West to North West Swell with
favorable off shore winds.

Each year, for one day watermen (past entrants have included Kelly
Slater, Rob Machado, Tom Curren and Donavan Frankenreiter) from
around the world come together and participate in a homegrown
event in Hawa’ii involving Bodysurfing.

Bodysurfing, called he’e umauma or kaha nalu in Hawaiian, was first
enjoyed by ancient Hawaiians at the break called “Pipeline? today. It is believed that bodysurfing at Pipeline was first inspired by the dolphins seen there, long before the invention of the surfboard.

While boardsurfing has evolved into a visible and highly competitive sport, the main draw to bodysurfing is still as it ever was – the intimate relationship between the ocean and the rider in what is considered by many as the “purest form of waveriding.”

The Current champion Mike Stewart (Hawaii) will be defending his 2008 title against a field of seasoned waterman including Steve Kapela, Frederic David, Mark Cunningham and Keith Malloy at the Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic (due to permit conflicts, there was no 2007 or 2009 event).

Competitors must swim without the use of any type of board into extremely challenging at the world-class break known as Pipeline.

Pipeline is world-famous for its fast and powerful breaking waves over a shallow reef. Just as Everest is the gauge of all mountains for mountaineers, Pipeline is the ultimate test for wave-riders from all over the world, rewarding the best with waves of aesthetic perfection.

Thirty of the world?s most dedicated bodysurfers will be on-call during the 11 day holding period. Depending on conditions, the competitors will have a one to two day window to compete at Pipeline without any surfboards. At the end of the competition, the top six bodysurfers will compete in an intense final push to determine the new champion.

From: http://www.surfermag.com/industry-news/37th-annual-pipeline-bodysurfing-classic-presented-by-patagonia/