Surfing
Surfing
Relive the pure intensity of Red Bull Cape Fear 2019
We've got everything you need from an historic day of big wave surfing at Tasmania's infamous Shipstern Bluff, host to Red Bull Cape Fear 2019.
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Mikey Brennan doing what he does best
© Stu Gibson
It was a day for the history books of competitive big wave surfing. Red Bull Cape Fear brought one of the most remote, storied slabs in the world into homes around the globe… and the athletes put on a show. Five action-packed hours of heaving barrels, gut-wrenching wipeouts and incredible showmanship… and only one man prevailed.
Russell Bierke and that infamous Cape Raoul
© Stu Gibson
Nathan Florence handles a Bluff barrel
© Stu Gibson
Mick Fanning as deep as you can safely get at Shipstern
© Andrew Short
Mikey Brennan doing what he does best
© Stu Gibson
With adrenaline pumping and a look of disbelief on his face, 24-year-old Nathan Florence lifted his wooden trophy at the end of the day, just minutes after surfing the Final of his life.
Laurie Towner, Justen “Jughead” Allport, James Hollmer-Cross, and Mikey Brennan didn’t make it easy for him – in fact, it was in the Final that James surfed the wave of the day. A stand-tall barrel, as deep as you can get, spitting him out at the very last second with more force than most of us will ever comprehend – the single highest score of the event, a 10-point perfect ride.
Watch the full replay of Red Bull Cape Fear 2019:
Finals – Shipstern Bluff, Tasmania
Watch as the conditions are just right and surfers take on one of the most iconic waves.
But Nathan, with zero abandon, threw himself over the ledge on some of the biggest waves of the day and showed the world what he was made of. Raw talent, complete control and no fear. With 15.16 total points in the final, Nathan Florence won the first competition of his life.
I’m so baffled, it’s the first contest I’ve ever won. To be at this venue and win is amazing. To be surfing with the boys and the local legends, I just can’t believe it. I’m so psyched!
Nate wasn’t the only one who felt how unique the event was at Shipstern Bluff for Red Bull Cape Fear. Three-time World Champion Mick Fanning, who has surfed in his fair share of events over the years, couldn’t get enough.
“This is just incredible,” he said, following his surf in the afternoon Expression Session. “I’m so psyched right now. The wave, the locals… it’s just another world down here and the fact these guys are willing to share it with us is amazing. I’m having the time of my life.”
Mark Mathews also made history at 2019 Red Bull Cape Fear, making his debut performance after battling through years of horrific injury. And although he didn’t make it to the Final, and potentially broke his foot during competition, it was all worth it in his eyes.
Honestly, the barrel I got today made it all worth it. That feeling is what I’ve been training for, what I’ve been working towards, and I got it today.
Mark Mathews and a triumphant return from injury
© Andrew Short
"Also, a huge thank you to Marti Paradisis for making the call on today, and for working with us over the last few years to make this all happen. It couldn’t have happened without all the locals."
And that takes us to the crux of it. None of this could have happened without the support and guidance from Marti Paradisis and the local chargers who gave us insight and access to their spectacular wave, hidden three hours into the forest on the south eastern coast of Tasmania. From Rudi Schawrtz, who put on a show in the the Expression Session and walked away with a trophy, to Shaun Wallbank who was back to work at the fire station just the next day… the locals made this event possible.
A huge congratulations to everyone who surfed in the event, the Expression Session, or had any hand in making 2019 Red Bull Cape Fear happen – and most of all, to Nathan Florence, our winner at Shipstern Bluff!
FINAL Results of the Red Bull Cape Fear 2019 – Shipstern Bluff
1. Nathan Florence (Oahu, HAW) 15.16pts
2. Laurie Towner (NSW, AUS) 14.10pts
3. Justen 'Jughead' Allport (Central Coast, NSW, AUS) 10.93pts
4. James Hollmer-Cross (TAS, AUS) 10.0pts
5. Mikey Brennan (TAS, AUS) 6.50pts
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