The International Bodyboarding Association Pty Ltd (IBA) and IMG Media, a division of IMG Worldwide, the global sports, fashion and media company, are pleased to announce a strategic partnership for the IBA World Tour of Professional Bodyboarding

IMG Media has been appointed as the exclusive agency for the distribution of the media rights attached to the IBA World Tour of Professional Bodyboarding, known as the IBA GoPro Grand Slam Series. The media rights included in the partnership are extensive and cover both traditional and digital media rights.

Adam Kelly, Head of Business Development, IMG Media said: “The IBA is an established organisation with a great product. Our aim is to help grow the exciting sport of bodyboarding in terms of profile and visibility across the full range of media platforms. The IBA GoPro Series takes place against some stunning backdrops around the world and is very marketable. We will use our vast network to ensure we maximise its media potential.”

IBA Managing Director, Gregg Taylor Manager, said: “This is a historical and strategic partnership for the sport of bodyboarding. To have the world’s leading sports media agency in IMG working with the IBA media rights is exciting. The IBA produces an extensive range of media content with some amazing imagery.  2013 is shaping up as an exciting year and we look forward to showing the world what the IBA GoPro Grand Slam Series can deliver.”

The IBA GoPro Pipe Challenge is the first stop of the 2013 World Tour of Bodyboarding, known as the IBA GoPro Grand Slam Series. The Grand Slam Series sees the top 32 male athletes compete in a seven stop World Tour in some of the best wave locations in the world including; Pipeline Hawaii; South Coast NSW Australia; Arica Chile; Itacoatiara Brazil; Puerto Escondido Mexico; Puerto Rico; and El Fronton in the Canary Islands.

The IBA GoPro Pipe Challenge will be held at the infamous Pipeline on the North Shore of Hawaii concluding on February 28 and March 1, 2013. This year will be the 30th anniversary of this historic event that will see the best Bodyboarders from around the world compete in the Mens, Womens and Drop Knee divisions. The event will be streamed live at www.ibawordltour.com/live