Jeff Hubbard wins his Second Bodyboarding World Title. Brother,Dave Hubbard retains his fourth title

Dec. 22, 2009 - PRLog -- Jeff Hubbard wins his Second Bodyboarding World Title in the Canary Islands. Brother, Dave Hubbard retains his Drop Knee World Title for his fourth term.


Kauai, HI December 18, 2009 -- On December 5, 2009 on the island of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands (Spain), Jeff Hubbard was crowned the 2009 IBA Men's World Champion. On October 24th, on the Island of Margarita (Venezuela), David was crowned 2009 IBA Drop Knee World Champion.

Jeff and Dave Hubbard grew up in and around the water in Hawaii.  Today they bodyboard professionally, and this year they were able to make wave-riding history.  Simultaneously holding World Titles in their sport, Jeff for the Open Men's Division, and Dave for the Drop Knee Division. (Drop Knee is an upright stance, crouched with one foot and one knee on the board.)  The Hubbard brothers both had a great finish to a year spent traveling together and occasionally even getting matched up against each other.

This past summer the bulk of the events took place on the IBA (International Bodyboarding Association) World Tour.  It was the high point in their year for both brothers, who opened up with a double win (Jeff winning the Men's division and Dave winning the Drop Knee division) to warm up at the Sandy Beach Pro, a USBA (United States Bodyboarding Association) event. Jeff went on to a victory at the Peruvian Inka Challenge to kick off the IBA summer legs. Dave got his best result in the Men's at the next stop, the Arica Chilean Challenge where he placed 2nd, just above Jeff whom placed just beneath him in 3rd. This was actually the first time they had ever met in head-to-head (2-man) international competition. It was a very exciting display as Jeff opened up with a nine point ride, but it was Dave who found the ten, and edged out his elder brother. The summer climaxed at the Portugal Sintra Pro, the wealthiest event on tour, where the brothers pulled off another double win, in their respective divisions. They couldn't stay together all year and had different events to compete in, so they parted ways and both won their next events.

They had put themselves in the lead in their respective divisions, now they just had to close the year out.  The final event on the IBA Drop Knee World Tour was on Margarita Island, Venezuela on October 24th.  Dave won each IBA Drop Knee event in 2009 from start to end and was crowned the Drop Knee World Champion.  Dave returned home and was scheduled to compete with Jeff at the Men's IBA World Tour- Confital Pro, which wrapped up in the Canary Islands, Spain (December 1-5).  However, Dave broke his ankle a month before the final event and would not be healed in time, and was forced to withdraw from the event. Jeff was one of five in the running for the Men's World Title.  

At the Confital Pro, Jeff was in the most exciting heat of the event, and nearly missed advancement. The rest of his rivals for the Title only made it one heat further than he, which wouldn't earn them enough points to win. Mike Stewart, one of those contending the Title, was the last opponent to fall. When he did, Hubbard was acknowledged as the World Champion and was hoisted into the air and draped with a Hawaiian flag, by the young Hawaiians accompanying Jeff at the event (David Philips, Jacob Romero, and Shea Sevilla). Mike Stewart shortly emerged from the sea and hoisted Jeff again, showing incredible camaraderie to the large crowd that had gathered.  There was much excitement, and Jeff did several interviews shortly after, one of them was live on the event's webcast. Stewart joined in the interview as well and said, "Jeff is a very worthy Champion!"

Jeff commented just minutes after the win:
"...after yesterday, I thought I put myself out of the race.  I just prayed all day and left it in His Hands, and He blessed me. This was my second World Title; this was the hardest one by far.  This was the biggest surprise of my life. Going from the deepest low to the highest high."

Dave later commented, "I was really happy to have such a great year of competition, and for Jeff and I to hold the Titles at the same time is really special!"

Brother Domination Wrap-up: In each of the following contests listed below, Jeff claimed the Men's 1st prize, and Dave claimed the Drop Knee 1st place.
USBA Sandy Beach Pro (July 4-5, 2009)
Sintra Portugal Pro (Aug 25-30, 2009)
2009 IBA World Champions

For further information contact:
David Hubbard: littlemoke@hotmail.com   808-282-5412
Jeff Hubbard: jdhubb@gmail.com   808-371-8695

For Media Relations Contact:
Michelle Rozzen: michelle.rozzen@gmail.com





Photo Courtesy of Shea Sevilla
File Name: JeffHubbardWC2bySheaSevilla.JPG
Who: Jeff Hubbard
Where: Canary Islands, Atlantic Ocean
What: Confital Pro, final event on IBA (International Bodyboarding Association) Men's World Tour
When: Dec 5, 2009
How: 2x Men's Bodyboarding World Champion