Surfing
Surfing
Watch the replay from Cape Fear 2019 right here
Twenty of the world’s best big wave surfers are getting ready to take on Tasmania’s Shipstern Bluff and you can watch it exclusively live on Red Bull TV.
Red Bull Cape Fear, the one-of-a-kind invitation-only big wave surfing competition, has been called on and will run this Monday, May 13, at the notorious Shipstern Bluff in Tasmania.
It’ll be crazy – it’s such a spectacular wave and there'll be no shortage of entertainment
“I’m so excited that the event is on,” says Mark. “But I’m also terrified at the same time! [Local competitor] Marti Paradisis has been making a lot of the calls on the swell and he’s talked me through the swell on Monday – it looks big, offshore and in the 15-foot range. This means it won’t be too big to paddle, but will also offer up some tow waves. I think either way it’ll be crazy – it’s such a spectacular wave and there'll be no shortage of entertainment.
“My goal is to get one big barrel and finish the day without any lasting injuries. This will be my first time surfing really big tow waves since my injury, so if I can pull that off, I’ll be psyched.”
Red Bull Cape Fear by the numbers:
- The 20 invited surfers include world champions, local Tasmanian chargers and world-class heavy-water specialists
- The triple-overhead waves will measure up to 20ft [6m] in height
- 27 Olympic swimming pools' worth of water break over a shallow reef in a metre or two of water
- Waves break 10m in front of the Shipstern Bluff cliff
- Surfers will be towed in at speeds up to 50kph
- One of the most difficult waves in the world, it was first surfed in the early 2000s
- It requires a 30km boat ride or a two-hour hike to reach Shipstern Bluff
Three-time World Champion Mick Fanning has previously surfed Shipstern Bluff on a large swell in 2015 and is excited to get back to Tasmania to compete. “Surfing a wave like Shipstern Bluff gives a sense of satisfaction and relief, 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 favourite big wave surfers will be a real honour and I’m going to relish the challenge.”
“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 favourite big wave surfers will be a real honour and I’m going to relish the challenge.”
Red Bull Cape Fear uses a unique, overlapping heat format. Five surfers will compete in four heats with the winner of each heat progressing to the final. Whether the heats are held as paddle only, tow only, or a combination of both, will be dependent on conditions on the day.
The 20 invited surfers at Red Bull Cape Fear are:
- Russell Bierke (AUS)
- Pedro 'Scooby' Vianna (BRA)
- Daniel Griffiths (AUS)
- Michael Brennan (AUS)
- Mick Fanning (AUS)
- Laurie Towner (AUS)
- Shaun Wallbank (AUS)
- Zebulon Critchlow (AUS)
- Mark Mathews (AUS)
- Ryan Hipwood (AUS)
- James McKean (AUS)
- Brook Phillips (AUS)
- Justen 'Jughead' Allport (AUS)
- Nathan Florence (USA)
- James Hollmer-Cross (AUS)
- Marti Paradisis (AUS)
- Billy Kemper (USA)
- Tyler Hollmer-Cross (AUS)
- Alex Zawadzki (AUS)
- Koa Rothman (USA)
