Hardy wins

Hardy smokes Pipe…

In clean 4-6 feet surf Australian Bodyboarding legend Ryan Hardy has won the first event of the 2009 International Bodyboarding World Tour in Hawaii.

The Turbo Bodyboards Pipeline Pro was held over three days in what can only be described as “Perfect Pipe” with the worlds best riders all vying for the 2000 Championship points up for grabs.

“I am stoked to win the first ever Grand Slam with the guys standing next to me” said the elated Hardy.

“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”

“But surfing against guys like this made it easier to relax and push myself at the same time”

Second place went to Frenchman Pierre Luis Costes. He opened up the final with a solid mixture including an 8.50 that saw the other riders needing a two-wave combination to get the lead.

Hardy waited until the 18th minute of the half hour final to strike.

A long deep tube ride followed by a gigantic roll netted him a 9.43 average that left him still lingering in second position and then within a few minutes he found another tube and this time back-flipped out of the end bowl.

From that point on he was always going to be hard to beat.

Third place went to Brazilian Guilherme Tamega and fourth place was Dave Winchester from Australia.

The IBA World Tour now moves to Brazil in April for two events back to back
Source: IBA