Posted on January 10, 2024
Qualifiers for the inaugural International BodySurfing Association (IBSA) Bodysurfing World Tour (BWT) Finals 2024 have recently been announced for the various regional zones, along with those who have been invited to take part in a preliminary Wild Card knock-out round.
The regional zones who staged events were North America, Asia/Australia, Latin America, Polynesia/ Hawaii and Europe/ Africa.
Each area held regional qualifying events during 2023 to establish their direct qualifiers and also those who could participate in a preliminary knock-out Wild Card competition to obtain the final few places.
North America
North America held their events at Ventura, San Clemente and Huntington Beach, all in California. The top two scores from the three BWT QS contests in California determined the final rankings for each competitor.
The four women that will represent this region include two Southern Californian teenagers who have burst onto the scene – Miko Baron (17, from Oceanside) and Michelle Urkov (16, from Huntington Beach). Veterans who made the grade were Scotti Shafer from San Clemente, and Meredith Rose from Del Mar.
The men also found some newcomers to the podium in several contests this year, but in the end the eight men and four women earning the right to represent North America outright are:
North America Qualifiers
| Men | Women | ||
| Bryan Knowles (USA) | 1860 | Scotti Shafer (USA) | 1860 |
| Edward Sweeney (USA) | 1720 | Miko Baron (USA) | 1860 |
| Greg Wilkinson (USA) | 1555 | Michelle Urkov (USA) | 1610 |
| Ian Moore (USA) | 1400 | Meredith Rose (USA) | 1400 |
| Frank Musso (USA) | 1225 | ||
| David Curry (USA) | 1180 | ||
| John Black (USA) | 1165 | ||
| Pat Malo (USA) | 1110 |
Australia/Asia
After an incredible series of events in Australia, the IBSA are thrilled to announce the top performers who have secured their spots in the Bodysurfing World Tour Finals for the Australia-Asia region.
There were two qualifying events, both in Australia.
Coolum Wedge Festival set the stage for the first qualifying event, and the response was phenomenal! With 48 talented men and 15 outstanding women taking part in the festival, it was three days of epic competition. Coolum’s legendary waves didn’t disappoint, and the morning of the IBSA contest greeted us with perfect conditions.
In the women’s division, Ally Zillman clinched victory by the slimmest of margins, just 0.1 points ahead of Lily Kelly, with Caitlin Callaghan in third place. Local favorite Lyla Crouch rounded out the finalists.
The men’s competition was nothing short of extraordinary. Local sensation Jack Lewis displayed unmatched speed and style, while Ky Kinsela wowed with dolphin-style riding. Jack Lewis took the top spot, Ky iwas a close second and Jack Macrae took third place.
Next up was the Avalon Festival of Froth in picturesque Sydney. Perfect conditions and fierce competition defined the day. In the final, Josh Kirkman claimed victory with a high-scoring wave, narrowly edging out Ky Kinsela, whose flat spin impressed, and Jack Lewis, known for his front somersaults.
Congratulations to all the qualifiers for their outstanding performances!
Australia/Asia Qualifiers
| Men | Women | ||
| Jack Lewis (Australia) | 1730 | Ally Zillman (Australia) | 1000 |
| Ky Kinsela (Australia) | 1720 | Lily Kelly (Australia) | 860 |
| Dylan Kelly (Australia) | 1110 | Caitlin Callahan (Australia) | 730 |
| Josh Kirkman (Australia) | 1000 | Lyla Crouch (Australia) | 670 |
| Jacob Rosenbrock (Australia) | 975 | ||
| Jarrod Bridges (Australia) | 925 | ||
| Thomas Sewell (Australia) | 830 | ||
| Marvin Smith (Australia) | 830 |
Latin America
In the South and Central America areas (Latin America), the first qualifying event was held at Playa Zicatela, Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Contestants from Mexico and El Salvador featured here.
The second and final qualifying competition for the Latin America region took place in Fioranopolis, Praia do Joaquina, SA, Brasil on November 11th and 12th, 2023. Participants from four countries, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and Uruguay came together and showcased their skills at this one.
The eight men and four women earning the direct right to represent Latin America are:
Latin America Qualifiers
| Men | Women | ||
| Leo Moura (Brasil) | 1860 | Briguitte Linn Wiedemeyer (Brasil) | 1000 |
| Rogerio Schefler (Brasil) | 1720 | Deborah Terhoch De Albuquerque (Brasil) | 860 |
| Mauricio Souza (Brasil) | 1555 | Alice Wiedemeyer Latuf (Brasil) | 730 |
| Nazareno Busatto (Argentina) | 1400 | Bianca Klafke Beck (Brasil) | 670 |
| Kalanni Latanzi (Brasil) | |||
| Pablo Ernesto Ortiz (El Salvador) | |||
| Godofredo Vasquez (Mexico) | |||
| Carlos Moises Arenivar (El Salvador) |
Polynesia (Hawaii and Tahiti)
After a stunning final event and with fierce competition in Makapu’u (Hawaii) it has been announced that the top performers who have secured their outright spots in the Polynesian area.
In the Mens qualifiers we will have Adam Laeha, Wyatt Lee, Kyle Menshing and Matthew Soloman. In addition, the best ranked national communities spots went to Anoalo Stanley, Bronson M. Cambra, Conrad Morgan and Melvin Keawe. Very well done to them all!
Top points ranking women after the two events were DeLori Gomes and Katie McConnell. The best ranked contestants from the National Communities were Kyla Lozis and Cameron Dabney, very well done to them!
Here are the final rankings for the Polynesia region:
Polynesia (Hawaii and Tahiti) Qualifiers
| Men | Women | ||
| Adam Laeha (Hawaii, USA) | 1000 | Delori Gomes (Hawaii, USA) | 1000 |
| Wyatt Lee (Hawaii, USA) | 860 | Katie McConnell (Hawaii, USA) | 860 |
| Kyle Menshing (Hawaii, USA) | 730 | Kyla Lozis (Hawaii, USA) | 730 |
| Matthew Soloman (Hawaii, USA) | 670 | Cameron Dabney (Hawaii, USA) | 670 |
| Anoalo Stanley (Hawaii, USA) | 610 | ||
| Bronson M. Cambra (Hawaii, USA) | 610 | ||
| Conrad Morgan (Hawaii, USA) | 555 | ||
| Melvin Keawe (Hawaii, USA) | 555 |
Europe/Africa
Europe/Africa held two events during 2023, the first one at Anglet, France, the second at Mehdia Beach, Morocco.
The Euro Bodysurf Tour Event 2023 at Anglet, France was the first venue and was organized by the French Surfing Federation and the Ligue de Surf Nouvelle-Aquitaine, with the support of the Bodysurf commission. The event brought together bodysurfers from all over Europe and Morocco.
Expectations and excitement were high as conditions were predicted to be perfect on Saturday at les Sables d’or, France. The sun shone as the competition began and the waves turned up as forecast. Competitors revelled in the pristine conditions, with long fluid rides linking complex manoeuvres. The two days produced an amazing show!
The Open Mens final was held on Sunday in waves lit by the dawning day. Alix quickly took the lead with a solid first wave. Paul responded on a wave where he linked serval reform sections with a host of tricks and finally ‘beached’ the ride, ending right on the sand. Next, Alex scored a set wave and produced an epic ride to stretch his lead. Matias and Nathan gradually caught up in the final minutes with rides that landed them on the podium. Paul was unlucky not to find a second wave of consequence to make it through.
Euro Bodysurf Maroc at Mehdia Beach, Morocco served as the location for the second event in Europe/Africa. Much of this Euro Bodysurf event took place at Charatan, a famous river with a consistent and often large RH wave to match.
After stunning events and fierce competition in France and Morocco, with both contests blessed with incredible surf, we are excited to announce the top performers who have secured their outright spots in the Europe-Africa group to compete in the BWT Finals.
These are the Qualifiers from Europe/Africa for the IBSA World Tour Finals!!
Europe/Africa Qualifiers
| Men | Women | ||
| Alix Schorsch (France) | 1730 | Uhaina Hegoas (France) | 2000 |
| Nathan Lehoux (France) | 1730 | Lea Novion (France) | 1720 |
| Matias Hegoas (France) | 1415 | Sakina Bargach (Morocco) | 1225 |
| Chouaib Boudhim (Morocco) | 1260 | Diane Mondin (France) | 1220 |
| Pako Junca Ituriaga (France) | 1220 | ||
| Thomas Arrow (UK) | 780 | ||
| Imad Bourogui (Morocco) | 760 | ||
| Michele Florio (Italy) | 760 |
A number of other contestants have been invited to take part in a preliminary Knock Out round to obtain Wild Cards (details below).
These may be the finalists for the inaugural BWT finals 2024, but please be aware that qualifying events have already commenced for 2025!
IBSA World Tour Finals
The International BodySurfing Association World Tour Finals will be held at Oahu, Hawaii during the holding period of June 4th to 14th 2024.
Format Overview:
1. Preliminary Round:
Purpose: Avoiding no-shows and awarding IBSA wild cards.
Criteria:
Favoring competitors who participated in the QS to ensure representation of the best.
Prioritizing competitors from national communities without qualifiers for diverse representation.
Participants: 16 men / 8 women
Allocation of 8 IBSA Wild Cards for men and 4 for women : qualifying criteria :
First non-qualifiers from each region: 2 men / 1 woman per region.
Best-placed competitor from national communities without qualifiers.
In case of vacancy, wild cards for the organisation (organiser’s discretionary choice).
The IBSA is committed to providing opportunities to expand the sport of bodysurfing into as many countries as possible.
2. Format Overview BWT Finals (Main Event):
Participants:
• Direct qualifiers from each IBSA region’s WQS events (40 men, 20 women)
• The highest finishing competitors from BWT Trials Event (8 men, 4 women)
Total participants in the inaugural IBSA – BWT Finals will therefore be 48 men and 24 women.
3. Save the Dates:
Trials Event : during the period 4th – 14th June 2024 and prior to the Main Event
Location: Oahu, Hawaii
Main Event: during the period 4th – 14th June 2024
Location: Oahu, Hawaii
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