North Shore, Oahu; Hawaii — Australian Bodyboarding luminary, Ryan Hardy (Australia), came saw and conquered the most legendary break in the world, winning the Turbo Bodyboards Pipeline Pro in style.
Held over three days in waves that can only be described as perfect, the Turbo Bodyboards Pipeline Pro saw the world’s best riders all vying for glory, but in clean, near perfect conditions it was Hardy who took the first event of the 2009 International Bodyboarding World Tour; showing all why he is considered as one of the greatest ever.
“I am stoked to win the first ever Grand Slam with the guys standing next to me,” said the elated Hardy.
Second place went to Pierre Luis Costes (France), who put the heat on Hardy from the opening minute.
Opening up the final with an impressive 8.50 (out of a possible 10), Costes had the other finalist’s needing a two-wave combination to take the lead, the title and an early season lead.
Then Hardy struck.
A long, deep tube ride followed by a gigantic roll netted him a near perfect ride, 9.43 (out of a possible 10); and then within a few minutes Hardy found another tube and this time back-flipped out of the end bowl, leaving the crowd in raptures and the prestigious trophy within his grasp.
From that point on he was always going to be hard to beat.
“It can be pretty nerve racking sitting on the beach for a few days waiting for your heat to come up, watching guys getting the best waves of their lives,” Hardy continued.
“But surfing against guys like this made it easier to relax and push myself at the same time.”
Third place went to Guilherme Tamega (Brazil) and fourth place was Dave Winchester (Australia).
The IBA World Tour now moves to Brazil in April for two events back to back.
For more information be sure to log onto www.ibaworldtour.com
