Botany Bay holds one of the world’s heaviest slabs. Known as Ours, chances are pretty high that you’ve watched more horrible wipeouts there than almost anywhere else. Which, of course, is why Red Bull runs an event there called Red Bull Cape Fear. And out of anyone, Mark Mathews knows Ours, which is why he came up with the idea to run an even there. “Pound for pound, Cape Fear is the heaviest and most dangerous wave in the world,” he said.
Last year, though, the event didn’t run. After a swell of proper size didn’t materialize during the waiting period, all eyes were cast on this year’s event. And it is producing, to say the least. “This is the best forecast I have seen since 2001,” said Mathews.
The event has an interesting format. Of the 16 invited, there are 8 one-on-one heats. Four surfers are in the water at all times, with two paddling and two towing. The best four waves are the ones the surfers are scored on. If a surfer loses the head-to-head match up, they’re out, and the winner moves on. The final is held with the final four.
This year’s event kicked off with some of the biggest waves ever surfed at Cape Solander. “I think everyone in the event would agree this is the biggest the Cape has ever been surfed,” said Blake Thornton. “I was really nervous before the event started, then once I got out on the back on the jet ski I was pumped up and ready to go. I didn’t want to wait too long before I got my first wave because I knew the nerves would build again, and thankfully managed to get a good one early. Even though I got absolutely smashed at the end of the battle it’s going to be a surf I remember for a long time, with one great wave and one of the worst wipeouts I’ve ever had.”
After two heats, the event was called off due to the conditions, which while still massive, were too hairy to properly hold the event. When it was called back on again, the paddle-in section was cancelled, and it turned into a day of towing.
Watch the whole thing unfold at RedBull.com
