Jeff Hubbard has finished the G.O.B World Super Tour with a huge win at The Rockstar Games Pipeline Pro. Not only did he win both the World Qualifying Tour (WQT) event and the World Super Tour (WST) event on the same day, Hubbard was suffering from a bad case of the flu days before he took the title. Come judgement day he stayed focused and saved all his energy for the title that has eluded him for years. I had a chance to catch up with Jeff after his win.

1) Jeff, finally you have the Pipe title, both the World Qualifying Tour (WQT) and the World Super Tour (W.S.T). How was it going up twice to accept first prize? How was it winning this event in front of all your family, friends and peers?

Hubbard) It was like a dream to win a World Super Tour (WST) event let alone a WQT event at Pipe. I have been dreaming of this since I started bodyboarding, this win is more important to me than a World Tour title. Just to win my first International contest in sick waves at home in front of my family and friends is just so sweet, I definitely felt on top of the world that day.

2) On the day you had to surf 1 x 45 minute WST heat, then a 1 x 21 minute WQT semi final, back to a 45 minute Round 2 WST heat and then straight into the Final 30 minute heat for the WQT, not to mention hanging on the beach in the sun all day with your family and friends. Was this a mental and physical struggle for you and how did you prepare yourself for it?

Hubbard) It’s funny, I figured it out the night before that I would have to be in the water for almost 3 hrs paddling my ass off and surfing as hard as I can. I trained for the event for the weeks prior but on Monday I got the flu and was in bed all day. Then Tuesday, still a bit sick I surfed two WQT heats, then on Tuesday night my dogs got real sick so I was up all night trying to clean up the vomit and stuff and make sure they were ok, so I didn't sleep much then. I got to the beach and was just so stoked to see the sick waves, it all melted away and I just focused on the task at hand and let my mind run my body not the other way around.

3) Who in your eyes was surfing well in the WQT, who are the future WST riders?

Hubbard) Well Dave Winchester is a sick rider, he will do really good as a WST guy. There are some other International guys from Europe who are good but, I haven't seen them surf enough to know how they would do on the WST.

4) During the Rockstar Games Pipeline Pro waiting period the event was on hold for more than half of the window. How did you feel when you saw the swell the morning of the event? Did you have a contest plan?

Hubbard) Yeah, Bob made some good calls and we waited and got the goods. I was staying positive the whole time knowing we would get sick waves. I knew it was going to be good, and it was better than I thought, so it was awesome. My plan was to catch three good solid waves in each heat. It did not matter whether I did airs or rode barrels. I just wanted to surf and have fun and get three good waves during my 45 minute heats.

5) Your heat was one of the most competitive heats of the competition - Virtue, Ben Player, Damian King, Mike Stewart and Ryan Hardy. Did this work as an advantage to you in any way, did it make you lift your standards to another level?

Hubbard) It’s funny, since it was the first time I had ever wanted a hard heat. Usually you want easy heats, but before The Rockstar Games Pipeline Pro event I told myself I wanted the hardest heat I could think of and it happened. It definitely worked out for the best. When you surf with great guys, you know you have to elevate your riding so you can distinguish yourself from every one else. It helps you not to make any mistakes.

6) How was your reaction when you were called up for a second time? Did you really think you had a chance, who did you have in mind of being the winner?

Hubbard) I was so stoked to be called up again, I had just won my first big contest and I was back up for a shot at The Rockstar Games Pipeline Pro World Super Tour event. I was amped but I had kept myself really relaxed about winning the World Super Tour event. I saw great surfing all contest and especially in my heat. I knew I surfed well and just was going to let the cards fall where they may. I knew I had 6 solid waves, three from each heat and consistency is huge on the WST and that's what won it for me.

7) There's talk you are considering not competing on the G.O.B World Super Tour in 2003, what plans do you have in mind. Has this win at the Rockstar Games Pipeline Pro changed your outlook, knowing that a possible G.O.B World Super Tour Title could be in your reach for 2003?

Hubbard) I am stoked for a possibility to surf at Teahupoo next year and would love to do the World Super Tour. Winning a World Title is another goal of mine. So, if I can figure out a way to do some promo tours in America so I can promote the sport in the USA, and the G.O.B World Super Tour schedule at the same time I would do next years tour.

8) How is No friends going at the moment, what plans have been made for 2003?

Hubbard) No Friends is going great. I hope that our new video coming out in MAY will inspire a lot of people and we can have another great round of promo tours to go and amp up the groms on bodyboarding all over the world.

On a closing note for this final event of the G.O.B World Super Tour, the G.O.B would like to thank Rockstar Games for supporting the one of the world most prestigious events - The Rockstar Games Pipeline Pro.

We would also like to thank Manta Surfing Products and Mike Stewart Science for their continual support in all aspects of the industry.