Last year’s champ, Russell Bierke. Photo: Red Bull/Rod Owen
Remember the Red Bull Cape Fear event? Yeah, it’s hard to forget. It was awesome, after all. Well, it’s back, and the waiting period starts today.
The invitation-only contest features 20 of the world’s best (craziest) slab specialists and is directed by Mark Mathews, the unofficial Godfather of the wave. It’s going to be tough to top last year’s event, but organizers are hopeful. “Last year’s event was beyond my wildest imagination,” said Mathews, who recently endured an awful injury to his leg. “I can hardly wait to see what Mother Nature throws up at Cape Solander this year. Having the 16 surfers from 2016 event and the additional four internationals will make for an unbelievable show.”
The waiting period runs through the end of August, so it’s almost a guarantee that it’ll run in conditions that no one in their right mind would want anything to do with. The lineup is a good one, too. Laurie Towner, Ryan Hipwood, Makua Rothman, Ryan Hipwood, and last year’s surprise champion, Russell Bierke.
Red Bull’s Cape Fear is an event that wants to ensure the biggest and best conditions the place can serve up. “I’m analyzing mean sea levels and pressure for any major storms forming over the Tasman Sea or the Southern Ocean,” explained Ben Macartney, Chief Swell Forecaster of Coastalwatch. “Then I’m assessing potential surf-heights, wave period, wave direction and arrival times – as well as local winds ideal for running Red Bull Cape Fear.”
The wave itself isn’t the only interesting thing, either. The whole format of the event is radically different. Four surfers compete in five, 40-minute heats. “The unique overlapping heat format will vary between paddle and tow. The single highest paddle and single highest tow wave will count for each surfer’s total heat score,” explains the press release. “The winner of each heat will progress straight to the final, the second place surfer in each heat will move to a re-charge round where they will surf for the final spot in the final. The highest placed surfer at the end of the final will be crowned the Red Bull Cape Fear champion for 2017.”
And now, since wipeouts are what you’re after, here’s a collection of the worst ones from 2016.
