| 
(Monday
12th February 2007): The world's best bodyboarders are all on the road to Queensland
for the start of Bodyboarding Australasia's (BBA) Human Pro Bodyboard Tour that
kicks off at Surfers Paradise this Thursday. 
Some of the biggest names in the sport will do battle at two
separate contests over 4 days (Thursday – Sunday) The 5A Harbourtown Digital
Mobile Pro presented by Unknown will be held on the beach breaks of Surfers Paradise
and Dreamworld will be hosting the 1A Hydro / BSC Flowrider Fiesta. This will
be a first for Australian Bodyboarding as a Pro Tour event takes place in a pool!
Current BBA Tour champion and World # 2 Ryan Hardy is excited.
“ I am originally from WA but am now living on the Gold Coast and I love
it.. The waves here are great and it’s a exceptional place to base myself
to stay motivated. I’m really looking forward to both events, particularly
the Flowrider Fiesta. I am interested to see how the crew will handle this bizarre
artificial wave” Andrew and Tim Reid who live
across the freeway at Coomera and are season pass holders quote “yeah we
are always here after school and weekends. Are Ryan Hardy, Damian King and Mitch
Rawlins really coming? Hope I can show them a thing or two, it’s not as easy
as it looks but we will show them how it’s done.” Along
with the Pro’s and the locals the Flowrider event has attracted some of the
sports most extreme enthusiasts including Brendan Newton, who has carved a name
for himself chasing some of the craziest waves on the planet. “I’ve
always been up for other quirky ways to use a Bodyboard so the Flowrider and the
whole arena setup with the live band and competitors just metres away from you
gets me excited…I’m amped to do well” The
Girls will also be hitting the water lead by last years BBA Tour champion Lilly
Pollard. Lilly just piped Newcastle’s Lauren Knowles for the title and is
keen to get off to a strong start this year after a knee injury saw her sidelined
for several events in 2006 “ I am almost back to normal now and can’t
wait” said Lilly. Gold Coaster Kira Llewellyn
is no stranger to competition. She was 2005 World Champion, finished second last
year and is the current ISA Games World Amateur Champ. “The last 12 months
has been challenging for me with a few injuries, a change of sponsor and moving
from the Sunshine Coast but now I’m settled…lookout! I’m so keen”
Steph Petersen, Australia’s first women’s world
champion will also be lining up with the girls. Drop
knee legend Mason Rose will lead the charge for the Drop knee crew. The
Human Pro Tour will consist of ten (10) events and travel through Qld, NSW, Victoria,
SA and WA as well as across the Tasman to NZ with an event at Piha in April.
The first heats of the Harbourtown will begin this Thursday
morning and wind up at 1.30pm. The event will run till Sunday in conjunction with
the Queensland State titles (R1) Gates open at Dreamworld
(follow the Flowrider signs to entry point) at 3.30pm. Practice time is between
4-5pm and the competition will run from till 10.30pm. Entry
is $5 for spectators and heaps of free stuff will be given away on the night.
Live music and food will round off a great evening. | 
