The event has changed venues – from Ours to Shipstern Bluff in Tasmania. And it’s equally if not more frightening. Photo: Andrew Chisholm/Red Bull Content Pool
The scariest contest in surfing – appropriately called Red Bull Cape Fear – is on orange alert and could run as early as next week at Shipstern Bluff, according to reports. Oh, and Mick Fanning is in.
“I spent all day getting things ready and to be honest, I’m pretty much filled with butterflies hahah part of me is terrified and the most part is psyched for the challenge,” wrote Fanning in an Instagram post. “Can’t wait to be there and watch everyone go looney if it runs!”
The last time Red Bull ran its flagship mutant slab taming contest was back in 2016 at a little wave in Botany Bay called Ours. And the carnage from that event speaks for itself.
In the years since uncooperative surf during the event window put Cape Fear on a brief hiatus and led to a venue change – from Ours to Tasmania’s resident freakshow: Shipstern Bluff.
Now, forecasts are calling for surf in the eight-to-twelve-foot-plus range for Tasmania early next week, and if the stars do align, we could very well be watching a 3x ASP/WSL world champion go toe-to-toe with the likes of Russel Bierke, Ross Clarke-Jones, Kai Lenny, Billy Kemper, Laurie Towner, and more.
Mick ain’t a stranger to Shipstern Bluff. Photo: Andrew Chisholm/Red Bull Content Pool
“Surfing a wave like Shipstern Bluff gives a sense of satisfaction and relief,” said Fanning in an interview with Red Bull late last year. “But it’s a whole different ball game in an event like Red Bull Cape Fear. Last time the event ran, I watched every second. I was in awe of the athletes and their performances. To test myself against the ocean, but also against my favorite big wave surfers, will be a real honor and I’m going to relish the challenge.”
The full list of invitees includes: Russell Bierke, Mick Fanning, Ross Clarke-Jones, Justen Allport, Kai Lenny, Pedro Vianna, Laurie Towner, Ryan Hipwood, Billy Kemper, Nathan Florence, Alex Zawadzki, Daniel Griffiths, Shaun Wallbank, James McKean, James Hollmer Cross, Tyler Hollmer Cross, Michael Brennan, Zebulon Critchlow, Brook Phillips, and Marti Paradisis.
Update: Cape Fear is a go for Monday, May 13. Read the full update here.
