|
|
|
2021 tour status, video contest and events

2021 tour status, video contest and events

With ongoing travel restrictions across the world, the IBC along with event promoters and riders reached the tough decision to not move ahead with a tour for 2021. The uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic is hampering travel to proposed contest locations.

Despite the 2021 tour not going ahead as planned due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, the competitive calendar will still see at least two of the most popular contests going ahead as World Cup IBC sanctioned events.

Sintra Pro 2021

Portugal’s Sintra Pro World Cup, which is celebrating a delayed 25th year anniversary, is currently scheduled to run from 7th to 12th of September, dependent on how the local COVID-19 situation plays out.

Fronton King 2021

The Fronton King World Cup contest, which takes place on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria, is also set to go ahead from 16th to 31st October. And much like the Sintra Pro World Cup, the running of the event is largely dependent on the COVID-19 situation. In 2020, the event took place amidst strict COVID-19 guidelines and proved to be a big success, despite many of bodyboarding’s top riders unable to attend.

The Annaelle Challenge

Alongside these two popular events, 2021 sees the return of the Annaelle Challenge, a french speciality event. The event’s holding period opens in September and runs for three months, closing at the end of November. 

2021 IBC Video Contest

To promote and maintain a global competitive bodyboarding atmosphere that is accessible to riders all over the world, there is work and preparation going into a video based contest for 2021. More information about how this will work, dates and other details will be released when it becomes available.

2022 World Tour

Whilst it is very disappointing for bodyboard fans and riders alike, efforts and work are being poured into the 2022 tour. And it is shaping up to be a tour well worth waiting for. The IBC will provide additional information as the year progresses.

2022 World Tour calendar (to be confirmed):

  • Lurín Pro, Perú -April. 
  • Arica Cultura Bodyboard, Chile – May 
  • Bellavista Iquique Pro, Chile – May 
  • Antofagasta Bodyboard Festival, Chile – May
  • Itacoatiara Pro, NI, Brazil – June 
  • Wahine Bodyboard Pro, ES, Brazil – July 
  • Pascuales Bodyboard Festival,Colima, México – July
  • Kiama Pro, Australia – August. 
  • South Africa Pro, South Africa – August
  • Sintra Pro, Portugal – September 
  • Gran Canaria Fronton King, Galdar, Canary Islands – October 

The Grand Slam and the Qualifying type events from 2019 have been dropped, and for 2022, riders will need to compete in a minimum of 4 world tour events. With a possible 11 events lined up, not including any speciality events, it gives riders a real chance to ensure their top 4 best results are counted towards claiming the World Champion title. This gives riders the freedom to select which events they want to ride and further helps with decision making in terms of travel. The riders will have the opportunity to select the events they really want to ride in order to maximise their chances of becoming the 2022 world champion. Rider rankings from 2019 will be used for seedings in 2022 events.

Once again, from all of us here at the IBC, all the event promoters and riders, we’d like to thank you for your patience and continued support through what has been a truly challenging period of modern human existence. Covid-19 is not over yet, and we all have our part to play to help ensure we put an end to it’s spread. 2021 is already proving to be an exciting time, and with eyes firmly fixed on 2022 – the future of professional competitive bodyboarding is looking extremely positive.

RECENT NEWS