Pipeline Bodysurfing Contest 2019
Bodysurfing is on the rise, and one of the reasons for the surge in popularity is because it’s easy to do. However, by the same token, bodysurfing is also hard to master. It’s a form of surfing available to anyone, but to be the best takes stacks of talent, often years of experience, and a deep knowledge of how waves work.
Last week, elite bodysurfers from all corners of the planet gathered in Hawaii to compete in the annual Pipeline Bodysurf Contest, put on by The Northshore Lifeguard Association and sponsored by DaFiN. The event always attracts big names with previous winners including Mike Stewart, Kelly Slater, and Mark Cunningham.
This year there were two young Australians from the WAW Handplanes bodysurfing team competing in the invite only event: Nick Brbot and Corey Sainsbury. The duo flew over for the two week waiting period only to be thrown into the competition zone on Day 2.
With 5-to-6 feet of swell and offshore NE trades it was set to be a showcase of talent.
Corey Sainsbury slides into Pipe (Photo Greg Panawek)
The heat draws were up and Corey Sainsbury was to compete against his Idol Mark Cunningham, whilst Nick Brbot was to face 15-times winner of the event, Mike Stewart , together with Dane Torres, a local Hawaiian legend.
With two high-scoring waves Corey progressed to Round 2 alongside Cunningham who he would have to face again in the next heat. Nick wasn’t so lucky and succumbed to excellence. Read: Mike Stewart in fine form.
Corey, again, with a clean entry on his way to the final (Photo Brian / Mauka to Makai)
Brimming with confidence from his first round success, Corey surfed hard in Round 2, taking his chances on some bombs which paid off, and he progressed through to the finals, knocking out Mark Cunningham on his way.
“It was so surreal beating Mark,” said Corey after the heat. “Little 13-year-old me would never in my wildest dreams imagine even meeting him let alone beating him at his home break.”
“In saying all that I still have the utmost respect for him and everything he’s done for the sport and look forward to the next time we come head to head”
Unfortunately, Corey didn’t make it past the first round of finals, though he’d already made a name for himself and showed he’s one of the most promising bodysurfers Australia has produced in recent years.
Event winner Keali’i Punley on a hi-vis high line (Photo Kekai Paulsen)
Hawaiian Legend and team DaFiN rider Keali’i Punley went on to win the event overall, just ahead of Mike Stewart in second and Hawaiian Dane Torres who placed third.
“For me, the highlight of the contest was watching the Hawaiians surf on their home turf ,” said Nick Brbot. “You can see it’s been passed down through generations. The certain style and grace of their bodysurfing is something we hope to bring back to Australia.”
//RIKKI GILBEY
(Rikki runs WAW Handplanes: Get barrelled, leave no trace)
Comments
well done guys- just to be in the event was a win i reckon. from someone who is just back in the water, i think every bodysurf is like having a win- even two foot greenie.
have fun and may you all get shacked off your nut.
Epic Easter Bodybash'n Bumper Bonanza Bulletin for Dave & swellnet basherz!
All big wave bodybash'n whompcomp vidz right here right now via #1 Swellnet
1)Great work Team Oz & Swellnet. tbb salutes all the competitors here.
These guys get towed out you know! Penthouse to Jagged Reef.
tbb/dave want in on that sweet deal...rolling outta one right now..wait for invites?
Who mentioned Jagged Reef / Bodysurf / Mike Stewart...That's a nasty triple Ouch!
https://forum.surfer.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2868392
Couldn't find Placings? (Do hand held Pipe vids count?) They're not too bad!
Pipe Masters(Day 1). via #1 Swellnet
Pipe Masters (Day 2). via #1 Swellnet
2) Any basherz know how big wave Pipe~Nazare Masters wiped each other out?
Nazare Masters waited 6 months to arrive at same week a world away!
'Masters of The Temple' held March 28 /2019 [Round 1 Heats] (via #1Swellnet!)
* A bit long! Couldn't be fucked? It's OK try the swellnet tbb timesaver...(free trial)
Ride [*36:20] FF > More Left Pipes come on at...[1.36 >1. 38]
Perfectly framed Nazare empty Left Shorie all yours [1.48:20 > end] Nice Huh!
+
'Masters of the Temple' [Continues with Round 2] (via #1 Swellnet)
* Gee! tbb timesavers are really handy... Yeah! Yeah! enjoy (No charge!)
Rare right [*13:35] > Big Set Action [1.01:00 -1.02:50] BIG EMPTY LEFT >[1.41:00]
Final >[1.42:00] [*1.46:20] {2 :02:00 Currently in 2nd place-'1 year experience?}
Plenty of Action >[2.05:30-2.08:20] Big Set [2.10:40] -[*2.11:20]
[2.40:00] Masters of the Temple Trident Award Ceremony
Final~1. J Despergers (w/card) 2. A Picard 3. A Stott 4.T Alves(1 year xp) 5. N Lehoux
A Picard won best Ride / Heat total [10] + [8.17]
Expression Session winner : P. do Norte
Extra Blah Blah Blah...
https://www.facebook.com/AHUAsurf/
3)Baker's dozen of battery hens crack W.R. (Not as easy as it soundz!)
https://www.theinertia.com/surf/these-are-the-13-women-who-just-set-a-bo...
4) "Straight outta Wompton" @ Fingal
(tbb is baby sittin' burleyboyz for a prebash.(Catch up with crew in the Greenroom)
Easter Sunday 21st / April / 2019 Jock's Toy Shop clusterfuck tips out @ 8:00am
https://www.facebook.com/events/381912095710324/
tbb is cheapest Judge! ~ bushpig went well last year as any bunnies will this year.
Whatever happened to channel guts mcmurphy
Getting pitted while bodysurfing is one of the best feelings ever. A bit boring to watch, but can definitely relate to it being a great way to ride waves.
crankitupto11 by name & by nature sums up bodysurfing in a clamshell.
Firstly! tbb has been bodysurfing 20 years yet 4th place Master bodysurfed 1 year.
Can tbb honestly say he could surf better than Masters? Hell yes ...on any day!
Doesn't mean I wanna go in comps nor World Comps gauge Bodysurfing standard.
Skegz paint their one trick ponies > Shaun the Prawn,Wounded Gull,Rabbit,Kong...
Universal Bodysurfer is half flying-fish half sea-bird flavour.
A bodysurfing commentator scrambles off every critters name at once.
If burleybodybash'nbunyip's cover is blown he chalms tbb's unfathomobile.
Bodysurfer invites the wave to also surf inside out seeking 100% surfing rights.
Each surf each other with same breath, heartbeat & pulse. Sure! A marriage!
tbb knows of no other way that you could possibly choose to surf?
But as fish are kept in tanks so too are birds in cages & bodysurfers in marine debris.
Elite athletic skills never reflect crowds nor money.(Parkour also shuns both bigtime).
Gidget once jumped boards mid ride! Skegz now toddler strapped to Time out mats.
Skaterz/Skiers kick flip to freedom as Skegz anchor down molded onto decks.
Now Skegz are dead from the waist down they ironically qualify as Olympic Athletes?
We all see Olympic Gold medal being awarded to the least athletic of surfers + era.
Add that toddler strapped molded surfers look like spoilt bratz in kidz wave pools.
1864 Bodysurfing is GC oldest, most popular sport yet is still proudly amateur.
Gold Coast bodysurfing reached athletic peak during 1930's.
1950's Flippers (only 1-each then) / 2010's Handplane Hiccup. (We apologize!)
Infinite freerange surfing options dumbed down by each fin, board, hull, jetski added.
Bodysurfing can flip as an Arena Sport repackaged as 4D Punk Gymnast Routine.
Closer examination only reveals more secret unclaimed athleticism. Prod all you like!
Only Huey cries when Bodysurfers monkey around in Pet Porpoise Pools.(Respect!)
Pipe/Wedge/Teahupoo/Nazare by very nature restrict...hardly performance waves.
tbb salutes bodysurfers manhandling those beasties but to freely play with one?
Sure if Dr Moreau is cross breeding Sea Serpent & Bodybasher parts then pick me!
Superbank / Pumped Points are half faced speed traps with little time for a breath.
Snapper > Lil Mali / Spit Jetty- even D'bah wall are World Class Bodysurfing waves.
The more hollow the better once we see boardriders hesitate...'it's clobberin time!'
If ever a Pro bodysurf comp picks Snapper then expect to see...
Bodybasher rip 3 barrel rolls & Airflip then reverse roll backwash slotting Lil Mali.
Half of that while being waterboarded behind GoPro Hero claiming his stolen barrel.
Same break in Womp Comp would clear a dance floor for spinning top battle arena.
Dreamtime reverse right & Elephant Rock/Burley reverse left are divine intervention.
Fingal Point mop top swing-set rock concert is also on Huey's magical mystery tour.
Also Bodybash Snapper to Greenie without intervention in all our wildest of dreams.
Happy Holidays Gromz / Aussie / Quicky / Roxy guests.