The International Bodyboarding Corporation (IBC), has been monitoring the global COVID-19 situation on a day to day basis.
The impact of the pandemic is unprecedented, and whilst the IBC would like to see all the events run as planned, the safety of all involved, their families, fans, and local communities is paramount.
As of March 20, 2020, six of the upcoming 2020 IBC World Tour events have been suspended, with one being rescheduled.
Event organisers are looking to reschedule the currently suspended contests for the second half of 2020, depending on how the situation with COVID-19 evolves in the upcoming weeks and months.
Postponements and Suspensions
The following event has been rescheduled:
Garden Classic, Kaui, Hawaii (unconfirmed new date: June 6-7)
The suspended 2020 World Tour events are as follows:
Wahine Bodyboard Pro, ES, Brazil (new date to be announced)
Itacoatiara Pro, NI, Brazil (new date to be announced)
Antofagasta Bodyboard Festival, Chile (new date to be announced)
Bellavista Iquique Pro, Chile (new date to be announced)
Arica Cultura Bodyboard, Chile (new date to be announced)
South Africa Pro, South Africa (new date to be announced)
The following events remain unchanged.
However, this may change due to the COVID-19 pandemic:
Kiama Pro, Australia (July 27 – August 29)
Sintra Pro, Portugal (September 7-13)
Gran Canaria Fronton King, Galdar, Canary Islands (October 17-31)
Upcoming Updates
As the IBC, event organizers, and their local governments obtain more information and guidance surrounding COVID-19, further updates and amendments to the 2020 World Tour schedule can be expected.
The IBC will announce any additional updates and changes in 14 days’ time.
The next event on the IBC calendar is the first drop-knee event of the 2020 tour and is to take place in Kaui, Hawaii.
The Garden Island Boogie Board Classic, originally scheduled to take place on May 9-10, has been pushed back a month and is currently set to run on June 6-7 pending county approval.
This event is offering a prize purse of $5,000. It is one of three qualifying events for drop-knee riders, with the main event taking place at Portugal’s Sintra Pro on September 7-13.
The Wahine Bodyboard Pro, the first event in the 2020 women’s world title race, has been suspended with the hope that the contest can be run in the second half of 2020.
The all women’s bodyboarding event was due to take place on May 26-31.
In light of the current global situation surrounding COVID-19, the IBC urges all bodyboarders and bodyboard fans to follow the guidance and advice provided by their governments and health authorities in order to reduce the spread of the disease.
#Stay Home and Stay Safe!
2020 World Tour update – 28 May 2020
(English)
As the global pandemic continues to impact countries all over the world, we are starting to see glimmers of hope with many countries previously in a state of lockdown making steps towards a new normal. Countries such as Portugal, Spain and France are beginning to open beaches again allowing many bodyboarders from these regions to get some waves. The International Bodyboarding Corporation along with all world tour event organisers and their local governments continue to monitor the global COVID-19 situation on a day to day basis.
As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve across the world, so does the IBC World Tour for 2020. Where ever possible, event promoters are doing all they can to secure their events. However, due to funding by regional governments being diverted towards health care and other pressing matters, two events have now been cancelled and thus will not be part of the 2020 World Tour.
The organisers behind the events are now firmly working towards their events for 2021.
The following 2 events have now been cancelled:
– Bellavista Iquique Pro, Chile
– South Africa Pro, South Africa
The following events remain suspended and the event organisers are working to find new dates to run the contests:
– Wahine Bodyboard Pro, ES, Brazil (new date to be announced)
– Itacoatiara Pro, NI, Brazil (new date to be announced)
– Antofagasta Bodyboard Festival, Chile (new date to be announced)
– Arica Cultura Bodyboard, Chile (new date to be announced)
The following events remain unchanged, however this is subject to change:
– Garden Island Classic, Kauai, Hawaii (August 8-9)
– Kiama Pro, Australia (August 27 – September 3)
– Sintra Pro, Portugal (September 7 -13)
– Gran Canaria Fronton King, Galdar, Canary Islands (October 17-31)
As always, the IBC urges all bodyboarders and bodyboarding fans to follow the guidance and advice provided by their governments and health authorities in order to reduce the spread of the disease. Stay safe.