Kaua'i's Hubbard has shot at world bodyboard title
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
As a business major at Hawai'i Pacific University, Jeff Hubbard is learning about dividend payoffs.
As a professional bodyboarder, Hubbard is hoping to raise his stock to unprecedented heights this week.
Hubbard, who was raised in Lihu'e, Kaua'i, is Hawai'i's top entry in the IBA World Bodyboard Championships this week at the Banzai Pipeline.
The contest, which is considered the most prestigious event in the sport of bodyboarding, will take place on the three best days between today and Jan. 14.
Entering the contest, Hubbard is ranked No. 3 on the International Bodybobarding Association (IBA) World Super Tour. He is the only Hawai'i bodyboarder in contention for the world championship. Australia's Damian King is ranked No. 1.
The Pipeline contest is the final event of the 2003-04 tour, so the world champion will be determined during the contest.
"Of course there's some pressure to win again and do well," said Hubbard, 28. "But I don't really look at it that way. This is fun for me."
Hubbard had barrels of fun last year, winning the Pipeline contest for the first time in his career.
"It did a lot for me just knowing that I could do it," he said. "It's made me a lot more confident going into this year, that's for sure."
Hubbard is one of only two Hawai'i bodyboarders competing on the 2003-04 World Super Tour. The other is fellow Kaua'i competitor Kelly Hunt.
"It's hard for the guys in Hawai'i to do it because the sponsorship in America is kind of weak right now for bodyboarding," said Bob Thomas, contest director for the Pipeline event.
But with his ever-growing business background, Hubbard has figured out a way to become a full-time professional bodyboarder.
"My sponsors take care of me," he said. "And I make the time commitment it takes to go on tour. There's only a handful of guys able to do it and make a living, and I'm fortunate to be one."
Mostly, though, it's because he has solidified his position as one of the world's elite bodyboarders.
"I just try to get out and practice as much as I can," he said. "If it's big or small, you have to prepare yourself for anything if you're going to be a professional."
As good as he is on the waves, Hubbard is equally impressive away from it.
But like his bodyboarding progress, his maturation took a little bit of time.
"There was a time when all I did was bodyboarding — too much," he said. "After a while, I realized I couldn't be doing this forever. That's when I started taking night classes at HPU."
He is now a part owner of a bodyboard clothing company called No Friends. He hopes to increase his business opportunities once he earns his business degree in the next few years.
"I'm not going to last (in bodyboarding) forever," he said. "But learning the business side of it can only help me after I'm done."
For now, there is still business to take care of.
"I'm trying to get some papers done early," he said. "Once the contest starts, that's where my focus has to be."
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
