In all of surfing, there is no event quite like the Red Bull Cape Fear. For a spectator, it is spectacular: held in the some of the craziest conditions in the world, it features not CT warriors but a host of absolutely bonkers big wave specialists like Russell Bierke, Justen Allport, Laurie Towner, Marti Paradisis, Ryan Hipwood, and a bunch more. In terms of household names, they’ve got Mick Fanning, Ross Clarke-Jones, and Kai Lenny on the roster, too.
“When big waves are met with even bigger wipeouts,” said Mark Mathews, “it’s a train wreck most can’t look away from and often one the surfer can’t walk away from. This is Red Bull Cape Fear.”
This year, the venue has changed. Back in 2016 when it ran at Ours, it blew the minds of everyone watching—and everyone surfing. “Last time the event ran,” Mick Fanning said to Red Bull, “I watched every second. I was in awe of the athletes and their performances.” Conditions were very nearly on the verge of being completely unsurfable, but those particular competitors thrive when shit gets wild.
This year, in keeping with the tradition of holding the event in the wildest conditions possible, Red Bull Cape Fear is being held at Shipstern Bluff and the forecast is something that the average surfer would run away from.
In honor of it, here’s a look back at the worst wipeouts from the 2016 event. And here’s hoping the next one measures up.
Watch the event live when the horn sounds HERE.
