Events IBA GQS Explained

In: Events by doclach 0 Comments Thu 12th May '11

Tags: IBA , GQS , Gregg Taylor

Gregg Taylor is the Managing Director of the IBA. Gregg sat down at a Cronulla cafe (just near Shark Island) with Doc and kindly took time out to explain the inner workings of the GQS.

Title Image of Ryan Hardy at the 2011 box comp, courtesy of Spex/IBA

Hey Gregg,

Thanks for taking the time to clarify some areas for the GQS (Global Qualifying Series) leg of the IBA tour.

First of all, why the change from the format used in previous years?

GT: There were 2 main drivers behind the changes. Firstly, the change to a 32 man Grand Slam Format was to ensure the bodyboarding world could watch the best riders in the world surf at least 3 times prior to elimination at some of the best wave locations on the planet. This provided a better media and exposure platform for the top riders who made it to the pinnacle of the sport.
Secondly the change to the GQS, was to make it relatively low cost and achievable for the riders who were outside the current top 24 ranked riders.

FZ: Who can enter a GQS round?

GT: Absolutely anyone can enter a GQS round and everyone is encouraged to.

So riding at your local club level and progressing from there into States and Nationals is potentially the way to become a rider on the tour?

Yes for sure. It would be a good time to point out how the points work for the GQS rankings. Basically, a total of 5,000 in the year can be obtained:

To qualify for the GSS the Top 8 of the GQS will be determined using the following formula
5000 Points
Best GSS Trials events 2000 Points
Best GQS stand-alone result 2000 Points
Overall National ranking 1000 points (5000 total)
5000 Points
GSS Re-qualifier
Best 2 GQS stand-alone results 2000 Points (4000 points)
Overall National ranking 1000 points (descending)
Ties and equal points
In the event that more than 1 rider has the same or equal points all ties will be broken by going to the next best result on the GQS ratings. Due to this system it would be highly advantageous to surf in more events on the GQS series as ties are very likely given the small number of events being counted.

So basically you only need 2 GQS results along with a solid National Tour ranking to put yourself in contention for qualifying for the top 24 contracted positions.

The star rating. What does that actually mean and how do the points compare with the Grand Slam Series?

The star rating for the GQS relates to how many GQS points are on offer at each contest. There are 3 events that have a 6 star status and these include Peru, Ferrol and Knights Beach events. A 6 star status means the maximum 2,000 GQS points are on offer. The lower star rated events have less points on offer though a good result at these events will still play a big part in qualification as a back up result.

Some of the top 24 riders aren't going in the upcoming Peruvian Inka Challenge. Why is that?

The top 16 riders from this year's GSS tour automatically requalify for the 2012 GSS Tour. So the riders who are not competing are backing themselves to finish in the top 16 of the GSS or simply are planning on doing 2 of the other GQS 6 star events.

Can you give us a breakdown of how the points system works from the GQS this year to get riders seeded into the top 24 in the Grand Slam Series in 2012?

GT: 5000 Points
Best GSS Trials events 2000 Points
Best GQS stand-alone result 2000 Points
Overall National ranking 1000 points (5000 total)
5000 Points
GSS Re-qualifier
Best 2 GQS stand-alone results 2000 Points (4000 points)
Overall National ranking 1000 points (descending)
Ties and equal points
In the event that more than 1 rider has the same or equal points all ties will be broken by going to the next best result on the GQS ratings. Due to this system it would be highly advantageous to surf in more events on the GQS series as ties are very likely given the small number of events being counted.

Where will the trials be located?

The 6 star trial events are Peru, Ferrol and Knights Beach

What is the heat format for the trials / Will the trials be the same format as Box?

The heat format is the traditional 4 man heats with 2 people advancing.

Will Peru be broadcast?

Unfortunately the web signal is non-existent in Peru, so it is unlikely the event will be webcast. There will be daily highlights clips

Arica, one of my personal favourite waves on the tour, is after Peru. Can you give the younger readers who are unfamiliar with El-Gringo a quick rundown on the break and say exactly why it is so damn spectacular to watch.

Arica is one of the few waves on tour that sends fear through the entire top 24 riders. It is consistently 8 foot plus and offers both rights and lefts. The wave breaks very close to the land and in very shallow water, so the riders want to boost in front of the stadium like crowd on land but also have to navigate the shallow rock bottom underneath the massive sections they hit.

Thanks for your time Gregg and congratulations on making some solid efforts to make the World Tour more dynamic.