Riptide Magazine

A few words from the man in charge of the Inka Challenge

Last Updated on Friday, 31 July 2009 16:10

As the Arica Chilean Challenge readies itself for commencement. Riptide spoke to Jose Ugarte, the organiser of the first Peruvian Inka Challenge, about how the comp was initiated and what a successful World Tour event means for bodyboarding in Peru. His response, below, is a classic, riddled with unusual English phrases and brimming with excitement and stoke.

This contest was amazing. Everything conspired to be like it was.

In the begining we didn´t even have space to do another IBA contest because the schedule was full. After two days of having the negative as an answer, Jorge "Mutant" Saavedra, told me that the Shark Island contest was cancelled for the IBA Tour. Then I asked the IBA again and got a possitive answer.Being Lima so close of Arica, everybody would come. And it was just like that - Stewart, Botha, Hubbard, Hardy, Player, King, etc suddenly appeared at the eyes of everybody. The groms couldn´t believe it.

Then seeing them (the pros) competing in a wave that they didn´t even know was even more exciting. Plus knowing that is was a great wave also, and the best bodyboarders in the entire world were riding it. So many people never saw in life a pro bodyboarder going crazy with the waves.  Bodyboarding in a high expression, they burned! (We think he means, "The riders were on fire with their high performance riding." - Ed.)

Thanks to the major sponsor, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, for making it all possible in our lifetime !
I hope to be able to make this event every year, better end better, and let everybody knows that Peru has a great potential for bodyboarding, you've just got to  contact the right people.

Thanks to all the boys for coming to the Inka Land!

Muchas gracias Amigos!