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Posted by press release on July 5, 2006, 4:30 pm The HUMAN Cronulla Shark Island Challenge - presented by Rockstar Games Round 1 of the Human Cronulla Shark Island Challenge - Shark Island challenges the worlds best in testing 4 - 5ft conditions By Mark Fordham The first round of the Human Cronulla Shark Island Challenge, presented by Rockstar Dave Winchester - advancing straight to the quarter finals The Esplanade, a famous walkway that hugs that weaves it way past Shark Island was Stands out during the day were, Cronulla local's Alex Leon, John Showell, Christian 6x World Champion and 3 x event winner Guilherme Tamega failed to show for the Fellow Brazilian Luis Villar also missed his heat with Dallas Singer taking his Another shock exit from the event was Hawaiian Dave Hubbard who was in transit in "I was gunning for the prize money too much; I got a bit excited and ended up going Hawaiian Mike Stewart flew in hours before his heat and managed to win over current Stand out of the day would have to be Yeray Martinez from the Canary Islands, Cronulla local John Showell enjoying the last light of the day The event is the regarded as the most prestigious event on the International Organisers are looking at completing the event in the coming weeks. Tides for Shark Official forecaster www.swellnet.com.au assures that we're unlikely to see any major Quarter final draw Heat 1 Heat 2 Heat 3
International Bodyboarding Association (IBA)
World Tour Event (WMT)
Shark Island - Cronulla - Australia
June 27th - July 31st
Games ran today in testing 4 - 5 ft conditions, all 8 heats were conducted with the
standard elimination format, eliminating half of the International field straight
up, with only the top two positions progressing through to the quarter finals.
lined with spectators enjoying a classic Sydney's winters' day, sunny skies and
constant offshore winds. The forecasted swell that was predicted to swing to the
east did just that producing some testing conditions for the 32 riders in the main
event. With the swell producing two take off zones riders played mind games with the
infamous Shark Island break trying to work out what part of the reef it was going to
off load on next.
Riguccini and Andrew Lester, Western Australian Ryan Hardy, Hawaiian's Jeff Hubbard
and 9 x World Champion Mike Stewart, Sydney's Northern Beaches Dave Winchester,
Chris James and current world champ Australian Ben Player, Sydney's Alex Bunting,
Queenslander Nick Ormerod, Canary Islands Yeray Martinez, Sunshine coast's Mitch
Rawlins, Forster's Josh Kirkman and 2 x World Champion Port Macquarie's Damian King
who all will progress to the quarter finals come next contestable day.
Western Australian Ryan Hardy
event, his position was filled by US rider Eddie Soloman who came fourth in his
heat, "I just couldn't find the waves out there. It was cool surfing out there with
only four people out; I did not get the proper waves sitting at Surge by myself. I
would catch a junk one, and then take an epic one on the head. I definitely lacked
the local knowledge."
spot. Singer surfed strong only to be beaten at the 2x world champion Damian King
who took second place.
Bali on his way over from touring on South Africa. Hubbard's position was taken by
2x world champion, South African Andre Botha. Botha showed good form in his return
to the world class event though could not find the waves to progress.
on anything. I got one big one but the foam ball destroyed me so I could not make it
out. If I made that one Hardy would be so bummed right now. After that big one it
was just barrels on dry reef for me. The reef wanted to eat me, but I never let it.
I am so stoked to be competing again. It was my first contest in three years!"
world champion Ben Player," There were a few good ones during the heat and I managed
to get a few; winning the heat is a bonus. The waves were breaking on the main peak
with a few lining up all the way so it was pretty hard trying to choose the good
ones. I have been all over the place for the last few weeks, Brazil, California,
Hawaii and now Australia, it will be good to unwind a little before the waves pick
up for the next period."
Martinez ripped apart section after section treating what most regard as one of the
worlds most challenging and dangerous waves like a sand bottom beach break. "To surf
at Shark Island is like a dream, I have always wanted to surf this heavy wave
because we have similar heavy waves like Shark Island in the Canaries. I come here
with nothing to lose so I am very happy."
Bodyboarding Associations Men's World tour calendar with the winner's cheque being
$20,000 AUD, the riches first prize cheque in the sport history.
Island will come back into effect from the 12th of July.
activity in the Tasman Sea for at least another week, due to a strong "zonal" flow
(west-east) in the Southern Ocean. There is a suggestion that a new low may develop
next Tues/Wed in the Tasman Sea, but it's much too far away to have any confidence
at this stage.
Name
Seed
Vest
1)
Alex Leon (Aus) (local)
(21)
Red
2)
Ryan Hardy (Haw)
(5)
White
3)
Jeff Hubbard (Haw)
(13)
Yellow
4)
Dave Winchester (Aus)
(4)
Black
Name
Seed
Vest
1)
Alex Bunting (Aus)(trials)
(x)
Red
2)
Nick Ormerod (Aus)(trials winner)
(24)
White
3)
Mike Stewart (Haw)(Int'l wildcard)
(16)
Yellow
4)
Ben Player (Aus)
(1)
Black
Name
Seed
Vest
1)
Yeray Martinez (Canaries) (Int'l wildcard)
(15)
Red
2)
Mitch Rawlins (Aus)
(2)
White
3)
Chris James (Aus) (Sponsor wildcard)
(23)
Yellow
4)
Josh Kirkman (Aus)
(10)
Black
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