The Association of Professional Bodyboarders (APB) has announced the full calendar for the 2016 World Tour. And yes, Pipeline is back.

The 2016 APB Men's World Tour has 11 stages. There are a few surprises and a few deceptions. The bad news is that there won't be a contest run on the African continent and that North America keeps out of the pro bodyboarding scene.

On the other hand, the world's best pro bodyboarders will taste the power of Pipeline, Teahupoo, and Nazaré. The circuit is also making a return to El Fronton, in the Canary Islands, and to Viana do Castelo, Portugal. Riders will surf in the Caribbean for the first time.

There are 1-Star, 3-Star, 4-Star, and 5-Star events. The overall prize money for the 2016 season hits $465,000, with the Antofagasta Bodyboard Open, and the Martinique Pro delivering the largest purse: $75,000.

"Although we are still negotiating contracts with governments, we can assure the bodyboarding community that we are doing all we can to create the ultimate bodyboarding tour for the fans and athletes," notes Alex Leon, CEO at APB.

The 2016 APB Women's World Tour features four venues - Chile, Japan, Portugal, and Puerto Rico - and will distribute $75,000 is prize money. The Drop-Knee champion will be crowned in a single event in Sintra, and Pro Junior World Tour gets four events.

The Annaelle Challenge and the Shark Island Invitational remain as specialty events supported by APB. The 2016 pro bodyboarding season kicks off in February with the Mike Stewart Pipeline Invitational.

2016 APB World Tour | Schedule (Last Update: May 9th)

Men

Mike Stewart Pipeline Invitational | Pipeline, Hawaii | February 18th - March 5th | 1-Star

Teahupoo Challenge | Teahupoo, Tahiti | April 18th - May 2nd | 3-Star

Itacoatiara Pro | Itacoatiara, Brazil | June 16th-26th | 4-Star

Arica Chilean Challenge | El Gringo | July 1st-10th | 4-Star

Sintra Pro | Praia Grande, Portugal | September 13th-18th | 3-Star

Viana Pro | Viana do Castelo, Portugal | September 21st-25th | 3-Star

Nazaré Pro | Praia do Norte, Portugal | October 2nd-11th | 4-Star

El Fronton Showdown | Galdar, Canary Islands | October 15th-30th | 4-Star

Alcala Tenerife Challenge | Tenerife, Canary Islands | November 1st-6th | 3-Star

Women

Itacoatiara Pro | Itacoatiara, Brazil | June 16th-26th | 2-Star

Arica Chilean Challenge | El Gringo | July 1st-10th | 3-Star

Ichinomiya Pro | Japan | August | 4-Star

Sintra Pro | Praia Grande, Portugal | September 12th - 18th | 3-Star

Nazaré Pro | Praia do Norte, Portugal | October 2nd-11th | 2-Star

Alcala Tenerife Challenge | Tenerife, Canary Islands | November 1st-6th | 3-Star

Encanto Pro Cultura | Middles Beach, Puerto Rico | November 5th - 15th | 2-Star

Drop-Knee

Sintra Pro | Praia Grande, Portugal | September 13th-18th | 2-Star

Pro Junior

Itacoatiara Pro | Itacoatiara, Brazil | June 15th - 25th | 2-Star

Arica Chilean Challenge | El Gringo | July 1st-10th | 2-Star

Sintra Pro | Praia Grande, Portugal | September 12th - 18th | 1-Star

Nazaré Pro | Praia do Norte, Portugal | October 2nd-11th | 2-Star

Encanto Pro Cultura | Middles Beach, Puerto Rico | November 5th - 15th | 1-Star

Specialty Events

Annaelle Challenge | France | TBC

Shark Island Invitational | Cronulla, Australia | TBC

Cave Rock Invitational | Cave Rock, Australia | TBC

TAND Invitational | South Africa | TBC