Sintra Portugal Pro 2011 – World Bodyboarding Challenge – 22-28 August

By Gregorio | August 15, 2011 at 10:34 pm | No comments | Events, Lisbon | Tags: bodyboard, events, Lisbon, Sintra, surfing

180 athletes from 14 nations on 5 continents will soon descend on Praia Grande, north of Lisbon. It’s Sintra Portugal Pro time again. From the 22nd to 28th of August, top boarding athletes vie for world tour points, a grand slam title and $35,000 in prize money.

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Now in its 16th edition, Sintra Portugal Pro is the longest running event on the IBA circuit. It is also one of the favorite stops for the competitors. The shifty beach-breaks and mega-structure create an unique environment found nowhere else. It is both a challenge and pleasure for riders. In addition to the competition, parties are planned for the evening, and stalls selling bodyboard gear line the streets during the day. It is a week of festivities for pros, amateurs…and those who admire them!

Many top-ranked IBA pros will be in attendance, including Guilherme Tamega (Brazil), Jeff Hubbard (Hawaii), Mark McCarthy (South Africa), Magno Oliveira (Brazil), Dallas Singer and Ryan Hardy (both from Australia), Manuel Centeno and Gastão Entrudo (from Portugal) , and current World Champion Amaury Lavernhe (Reunion Islands). On the women’s side, expect to see Eunate Aguirre (Spain), Neymara Carvalho (Brazil), Catarina Sousa (Portugal) and Steph Pettersen (Australia).

Also included in the competition is Mike Stewart. He is largely considered to be the founder of the sport. Sure, he is the oldest to participate (at 48 years old), but he has nine world titles already. One more win would make an amazing 10 title career.

The schedule of events include:

August 21st
19:30 – Welcoming cocktail and presentation at Cafe Bar Nossa Senhora do Rio

August 22nd
09:00 – Event opening ■ Competition begins, first heats: open & drop knee
18:00 – Competition day ends

August 23rd
09:00 – Beginning of the competition day: 4th & 5th rounds
17:30 – Competition day ends

August 24th
09:00 – Beginning of the competition day: Ladies open & drop knee
17:30 – Competition day ends
23:00 – Movie festival and live music at Café Bar Senhora do Rio

August 25th
09:00 – Beginning of the competition day: Ladies open & drop knee, 1/8 final
17:30 – Competition day ends
23:00 – Official event party – “Summer Party”

August 26th
09:00 – Beginning of the competition day: Open, Ladies 14 finals Drop Knee
18:00 – Competition day ends
23:00 – Live Music Party at Cafe Bar Senhora do Rio

August 27th
09:00 – Beginning of the competition day, Open and Ladies
18:30 – End of the competition day
23:00 – Final party at Cafe Bar Senhora do Rio

August 28th
09:00 – Beginning of the competition day, final stages of the competition, 1/2 finals Open, Drop Knee and Ladies
13:15 – Expression Session
14:00 – Beginning of Finals, Drop Knee, Open and Ladies
16:00 Award ceremony and event conclusion

The Sintra Portugal Pro is one of eight major events (Grand Slam) of the IBA World Tour, the international body that regulates professional bodyboarding. And this tournament is the only one to take place in mainland Europe. The other locations are Hawaii, Mexico, Chile, Australia, Canary Islands, Reunion Islands and Puerto Rico.