Bodyboard History Made in Africa
Monday 29 August 2022 The Walker Bay Pro was greeted to cooking 4-6ft waves at Onrus with the bank and beach packed with spectators, who witnessed the crowning of the first IBC women’s world title on African soil.
{youtube}G-TJjx3b4Zg{/youtube}
To fast forward past the junior and men's semi-finals to the women's semi-finals and the big news, there was a world title story in each heat, with three women still in the mix out of the final four. Alex Rinder and Isabela Sousa went head to head in the first semi. Both needed to reach the finals for a shot at the world title. Sousa knocked Alex out in a low scoring affair, and advanced to the finals to keep her title hopes alive.
Local hero Pam Bowren was under huge pressure going into the semi-final against Neymara Carvalho, the third women with a chance at the world title ... if she won. The beach erupted to the news that Isabela Sousa was crowned the women’s world champ for 2022 after Bowren pulled off the upset.
Earlier, in the juniors, Hugo Naude advanced through the first semi-final heat to set up a final against Brayden Hewitt who managed to get past Aaron Gimpel in the second semi.
TUBULAR: The IBC contest at Onrus has brought welcome tourism into the region. Photo Morbophoto
In the men’s semis, two world champs were up against each, with Tristan Roberts and Jeff Hubbard blow for blow. Jeff advanced to the final with one of the highest heat totals of the day to knock out the local hero. Another world champ in Iain Campbell took on Chilean Alan Munoz. Iain advanced with some huge moves to set up a showdown with Jeff.
The Junior final was up first with Hugo Naude and Brayden Hewitt showing why they are the future of our sport. Hugo was crowned junior champion. In the men's final, Jeff and Iain - two former world champs - pushed each other to the limit with some big lofty flips and technical riding.
By the time the spray had settled, Jeff had won over his good friend Iain to take out the first Walker Bay Pro title. In the woman’s final, Isabela dominated to wrap up the win and the first Walker Bay Pro title. Big shoutout goes to Pam for also holding the South African flag up high.
Results Men
1. Jeff Hubbard
2. Iain Cambell
3. Tristan Roberts / Alan Munoz
Results Women
1. Isabela Sousa
2. Pamela Bowen
3. Alexandra Rinder / Neymara Carvalho