The Human Cronulla Shark Island Challenge waiting period has officially began.

International Bodyboarding Association (IBA)
World Tour Event (WT)
Shark Island – Cronulla - Australia
July 6th · July 31stThe HUMAN Cronulla Shark Island Challenge

The Human Cronulla Shark Island Challenge waiting period has officially began. By Mark Fordham

Last night the CSIC athletes and contest officials of the Human Cronulla Shark Island Challenge were welcomed by Human, the official sponsors of the event for an informal briefing night followed by food and drinks. Big names such as Damian King, Dave Winchester, Hugo Pinheiro, Mitch Rawlins, Cedric Dufaure, Ben and Toby Player, Christian Riguccini, Dave Ballard and Andrew Lester were all present; Defending Champion, Brazilian Guilherme Tamega will be arriving early next week. "It's great to be back for the Challenge", Ryan Hardy explained."After missing out in last years event due to travel commitments I am definitely looking forward to this years event. It is going to be very interesting to see how the new guns that progressed from the trials adapt to the process of an event of this calibre. It is very mentally and physically draining an everyone at the best of times. I am sure that they will be some upsets especially with the new elimination format, lets just see what happens. I'm sure that the $20,000 AUD first prize will really lift the standard of riding out their, like I said I'm stoked to be back, it's going to be an all time event". A shock withdrawal from the event at the last minute was Sydney’s Eastern Beaches local, Tamarama's Beau Day. Beau who excels in these very types of heavy reef break events has pulled out of the 'Challenge' and will only be surfing in selected events in the future. Day has made it official to the IBA that he will not be competing on this year’s IBA World Tour (WT). " I’m in a position where I am happy with what I have achieved and basically want to pursue other business ventures - I am stoked that I could pass on my position onto the next person in line which worked to be Ben Player and I am sure that he will do well. Good luck to all that are competing in this years CSIC may the best man win”.

After a general catch up of what waves have been scored over resent months the contest briefing was conducted. CSIC Contest Organiser and Director Mark Fordham officially welcomed the IBA WT riders and the new competitors that progressed from the CSIC trials to the first major event on the IBA World Tour and explained the formalities of the waiting period, tides and promotions that are associated with the event.

The announcement of the prize purse breakdown goes as follows - Prize purse break down of $50,000 AUD

1st = $20,000 AUD
2nd = $10,000
3rd = $5,000
4th = $2,500
=5th = $800
=7th = $550
9th to 32nd = $400

Additional Prizes Best Move will be awarded a boat trip thanks to The Surf Travel Co and $500 AUD from Endless Best Barrel will be awarded a boat trip thanks to The Surf Travel Co and $500 AUD from Endless

It was then passed onto Derek Hulme who explained to the CSIC athletes the event rules and regulations.

COMPETITOR INFORMATION 1. Heats will be 4 person heats, 30 minutes long. 2. There will be one horn to start, two to finish. A Green flag signifies that the heat has started. Yellow is 10 minutes to go, Red is to finish. 3. Heat draw will be done prior to the competition. Seeding will be based on a combination of 2004 seeding points and ranking points from 2005 as is done at all IBA World Tour Events. A seeding order will be sent to all top competitors a few weeks prior to the event. Wildcards will all be in separate heats. 4. You will be scored on the total of your top 2 waves each heat, with the Top 2 riders from each heat progressing. There is a maximum of 12 waves for each competitor per heat. If you catch a wave between heats or more than 12 waves, they will score 0 unless this wave deprives another competitor of a scoring wave. Then it will be deemed an interference. Ties will be broken by count back as per the IBA rules. 5. Two rounds will be held. The first day will consist of 8 heats of 4 riders, with the Top 2 from each heat progressing to the Quarter Finals on Day 2. The Semi Finals and Finals will also be held on the second day. 6. Judging will be in accordance to the IBA criteria for this format and riders will be scored between 0 – 10 according to the conditions in their heat. 7. Interference rules are as per the IBA criteria, with an interference called by the majority of the judges resulting in the loss of half of their second highest scoring wave from their total. They must leave the water after 2 interferences in their heat. 8. There will be no board caddies. A buoy will be situated out in the channel for all riders to attach a spare set of fins and boards. 9. During your heat you may not get any assistance from the Jet Ski unless you are injured. If you do get assistance no more scores will be counted in that heat.

Heats will run as follow -

Day 1 Round 1 = Heat - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Day 2

Quarter Finals= Heat - 1, 2, 3, 4 Semi Finals = Heat – 1, 2 Finals = Heat – 1

Head Judge, Australian Craig Hadden explained the judging criteria of the event and what the judges would be looking for.

The International judges for this year’s event are-

 

Head Judge	– Craig Hadden (Australian)
Judge	- Peter Hulme (Australia - local) - Jason Boddy (South African) - Clayton Pickworth (Australian) - Karl Gol (Australian)
Reserve Head Judge	- Derek Hulme (Australian - local)
Reserve Judges	- Andrew Wassell (Australian - local)

"A bodyboarder must execute the most radical manoeuvres in the most critical section of a wave, with the fluid linking and combination of manoeuvres, combining speed and power throughout. The bodyboarder who executes such manoeuvres on the biggest or best waves for the longest functional distance shall be deemed the winner". Regarding tube rides, a complete tube ride, with long travel time and clean fast exits will be scored very highly. If the tube ride is not complete, travel time will be taken into account but it will still be scored as an incomplete manoeuvre. Safety The Safety and First aid will again be carried out by Dr John Pyne who will be the official medico at the event during all days of competition. He will be in contact with the Shark Island Water Patrol via a two way radio and will assist and direct any medical situation for minor injuries and lacerations.. All major injuries will be referred to South Cronulla Life Guards for immediate attention. Shark Island Water Patrol will be conducted by Brad Whittaker, Gary Yellend and Scotty Yellend. Water Patrol will be conducted by NSW Maritime Services during both days of the main event. At the conclusion of the briefing the heat draw was announced.

Heat 1

NameSeed	Vest
1)Damian King (Aus)(1)	Red
2)Cedric Dufaure (France)(16)	White
3)Ben Player (Aus)(17)	Yellow
4)Doug Showell (Aus)(local)(32)	Black

Heat 2

NameSeed	Vest
1)Michael Chapple (Aus)(8)	Red
2)Toby Player (Aus)(9)	White
3)Alex Bunting (Aus)(trials)(24)	Yellow
4)Nick Ormerod (Aus)(trials)(25)	Black

Heat 3

NameSeed	Vest
1)Mitch Rawlins (Aus)(4)	Red
2)Grahame Miller (Aus)(13)	White
3)Brae Pettiford (Aus)(trials)(20)	Yellow
4)Alex Leon (Aus)(29)	Black

Heat 4

NameSeed	Vest
1)Uri Valadao (Brz)(5)	Red
2)Ryan Hardy (Aus)(12)	White
3)Michael Novy (Aus)(trials)(21)	Yellow
4)Dave Ballard (Aus)(trials)(28)	Black

Heat 5

NameSeed	Vest
1)Andrew Lester (Aus)(3)	Red
2)Sean Virtue (Aus)(14)	White
3)Greg Howlett (Aus)(trials)(19)	Yellow
4)Ryan McKinnon (Aus)(local)(30)	Black

Heat 6

NameSeed	Vest
1)Jeff Hubbard (Hawaii)(6)	Red
2)Mike Stewart (Hawaii)(11)	White
3)Martin O'Connor (Aus)(trials)(22)	Yellow
4)Christian Riguccini (Aus)(local)(27)	Black

Heat 7

NameSeed	Vest
1)Guilherme Tamega (Brz)(2)	Red
2)Hugo Pinheiro (Portugal)(15)	White
3)Jason Hazle (Aus)(trials winner)(18)	Yellow
4)John Showell (Aus)(local)(31)	Black

Heat 8

NameSeed	Vest
1)Josh Kirkman (Aus)(7)	Red
2)Dave Winchester (Aus)(10)	White
3)Harry Dixon (Aus)(trials)(23)	Yellow
4)Ben Hansen (Aus)(trials)(26)	Black

Alternates for the event go in the following order Brad Hughes - Australia Vijay Maharaj - South Africa Grant Moloney - Australia

Swell forecast At present the Bureau of Meteorology has issued a long range forecast indicating that a large swell will be brewing early next week off the coast of N.S.W. The swell is predicted to rise out of the S/SE in the 6ft+ range on the 10th of July bringing with it strong onshore Southerly winds. At this stage things look promising from the 12th onwards as conditions look to settle down a bit with winds swinging more to the W/SW . All riders have been alerted and are on standby.. Shark Island best breaks in a SE – E direction. More information as conditions improve. This event will take competitors to Australia’s most premier bodyboarding location, Shark Island, known for its big barrels and heavy wipe outs. The Human Cronulla Shark Island Challenge (June 6th · July 31st).

  For all your official and up to date information and media releases - log onto; http://www.cronullasharkislandchallenge.com and http://www.ibatour.com

The Human Cronulla Shark Island Challenge is Worlds most prestigious bodyboarding event sponsored by Human. The location is Australia's most premier bodyboarding location, Shark Island, known for its big barrels and heavy wipe outs.