IT’S CONFIRMED. THE 2023 PIPELINE CHALLENGE WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN FEB. 24TH – MARCH 9TH.
Dates have been unveil lately thru the social media saying the event will be compressed of a four days window: two days dedicated to the bodyboarding draw, 1 day for the bodysurfing comp and an extra day just in case if need it.
The event is being organized by Bodyboarding US and APB North America putting three divisions in the game: Pro Mens, Pro Womens and Pro Dropknee.
Although the competition doesn’t count points for any running circuit, a lot of pretty well known faces have already confirmed their presences – Guilherme Tâmega, Mack Crilley, Jacob Romero, Dudu Pedra, Marcelo Freitas, Tanner McDaniel, Magno Passos, Ayaka Suzuki, Valentina Diaz (top photo), Jessica Becker, Sari Ohhara, Andre Botha, Sammy Morretino, Karla Costa, Neymara Carvalho, Jeff and Dave Hubbard amonst others. Even a few legends like Kainoa McGee, Alistair Taylor and Chris Burkart will be attending the event.
Link for LIVE HEATS HERE
If you remember Pipe received two bodyboarding events on the last Hawaiian Winter season. The Boog Jam – with a new format – took place in February in pumping Pipeline conditions (epic 4 to 10 foot waves) between 40 riders who competed on 4 split expression session heats. Two months later (WTF!!!) the winner was announced: Tanner McDaniel.
On the ladies side, the Pipeline Women’s Bodyboarding Championship was organized by Carol Philips, Traci Effinger e Allen Lennard, in loving memory of Don & Josie Over, with a total of 24 contestants, on the first days of March.
Australian Lilly Pollard, a former world tour athlete, conquered the 1st place at the Banzai, leaving Jessica Becker, from Brazil, in second, Ayaka Suzuki Crilley, from Japan (these two currently living in Hawaii), in third, and Valentina Diaz, from Chile, in 4th.
Last time the Pipe International was run as a World Tour stop was February, 28th 2020. On the last day waves reach 6 to 8 feet range at the Banzai Pipeline. The swell was epic and turn out to be a very special day. South African Iain Campbell, World Champion in 2017, beat everyone and got away with the trophy. xxx
