For the second year in a row, the IBC Bodyboarding World Tour comes to the sleepy little seaside village of Onrus, just outside of Hermanus, from the 15th to the 25th of September 2023. Once again, the Walker Bay Pro will be highlighting the premier bodyboarding talent from South Africa, pitting them against the finest competitors the rest of the world has to offer in a live-streamed event. Naturally local support lining the beachfront during the events is what South Africans are famous for. The possibility of crowning a new Women’s World Champion yet again is on the cards. After the contest in the Maldives, the stage is set for the ladies title showdown in South Africa.
Unfortunately, due to the challenging financial restraints we are all currently feeling, the Walker Bay Pro 2023 will not play host to a MEN Professional division this year. The event’s world tour status is focused solely on the WOMEN division. However, that does not mean the contest is not open to the gentlemen. The Walker Bay pro will once again host a Men’s Division and a Juniors Division.
Current IBC world champion, Tristan Roberts, along with IBC World Tour contender Robby Berman, will be taking part to help push the level of competition required amongst the men if they wish to claim the converted first prize of an airline ticket to compete in the Chilean leg of the IBC World Tour in 2024. A talented local dark horse, Luke Staniforth is more than willing to accept the challenge and has his eye firmly set on first place. Luke recently turned heads with a strong semi-final place showing at the Tand Invitational 2023 that was live streamed via the IBC World Tour channels.
Defending Juniors Champion, Hugo Naude, who hails from George in the Southern Cape will have his work cut out for him if he wishes to claim the airline ticket to compete in the Fronton King in the Canary Islands later this year. If the Tand Invitational 2023 showed us anything, Jaco Calitz is a force to be reckoned with in any conditions. Yes, both Mens and juniors have airline tickets up for grabs, both to dream destinations.
Women’s sports are currently at a global peak, with the spotlight on events like the Netball World Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup. This year, Pam Bowden will be representing South Africa at the Walker Bay Pro, where she aims to add to the experience she gained in Brazil and to hopefully claim victory in her backyard over the likes of last year’s winner of the event and ultimately the ladies World Bodyboarding Champion, Isabela Sousa. Currently, Sari Ohhara leads the ladies world tour going into the Maldives, with Neymara Carvalho, Joana Schenker and Alexander Rinder close behind.
To enter the Walker Bay Pro, simply click here, this will take you to the official Walker Bay Entry form. There is currently an early bird special running that gets you 25% off the entry fee. The special ends on the 14th of August 2023. This is the perfect opportunity for local bodyboarders to capitalize on this unique opportunity to showcase their talents on the world stage.
Events of this size would not be possible without the local community support from Onrus and the greater bodyboarding network of the Boland and Western Province communities.
Event organizers, Bianca le Roux and Deon Meyer would like to thank all local businesses and the Onrus community as a whole for helping to make this event possible. In particular, Petri Hendriicksz, owner of Milk on The Beach, who is sponsoring local rider Luke Staniforth and assisting him in chasing the dream of becoming a professional bodyboarder.
They would like to strongly encourage any other businesses who wish to get involved to please reach out to them. Currently, there is still a need for a service provider sponsor to supply Wi-Fi to the athletes, prizes, as well as a massive need of volunteers to help on the days of the contest. Any assistance in these areas would be greatly appreciated.
The Walker Bay Pro yet again offers South Africa the chance to market herself to the world as a premier tourist destination. A place with something to offer for everyone. A rainbow nation that is rich in surf culture, diversity, and mind-blowing natural beauty, ready to be explored by new visitors from South America, Europe and the USA. It’s all part of the awesome adventure that is the IBC World Bodyboarding Tour 2023. See you in Onrus.
Walker Bay Pro 2023 Entry Form: https://www.entryninja.com/events/79391-the-walker-bay-pro
Facebook: /WalkerBayPro
Instagram: @walker_bay_pro
