Pipe Bodysurfing Classic

Wednesday, 24 February 2010 09:02

The Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic

Sponsors Include Patagonia, Viper Fins & CTS Foundation

(Honolulu, HI) February 23 2010 ---

UPDATE: Live Webcast: http://www.pipebodysurf.com

HOTLINE: 808-450-5820 (Updated at 7AM)

The Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic

Sponsors Include Patagonia, Viper Fins & CTS Foundation

(Honolulu, HI) February 17, 2010 ---

The holding period for the 37^th annual Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic

presented by Patagonia, Viper Fins & CTS Foundation, on the North

Shore of Oahu, will begin February 16^th , 2010 and will run through

February 26^th , 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.

Additional Information on the event may be obtained on the web: