Tasmania’s Shipstern Bluff named as Red Bull Cape Fear contest location
MILLIONS of surfing enthusiasts around the world will be watching Tasmania’s coastline when top big wave riders take on the raw power of Shipstern Bluff. WATCH THE VIDEO
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MILLIONS of surfing enthusiasts around the world will be watching Tasmania’s coastline when top big wave riders take on the raw power of Shipstern Bluff.
Three-time world champion Mick Fanning heads the list big wave surfers invited to compete in this year’s Red Bull Cape Fear contest after the renowned Tasmanian break was selected as this year’s location.
Organisers estimate more than six million spectators will watch the live stream of the event on Red Bull TV, which has about 52 million subscribers.
Big wave surfer and event creator Mark Mathews said the contest was an “amazing opportunity” for Tasmania.
“I think for the community and for surfers … the exposure is such a great progression tool,” he said.
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said the level of international exposure was “invaluable” to Tasmania’s tourism industry.
“It won’t have a huge direct impact in terms of people coming down to watch the event, but the indirect exposure could be enormous,” he said.
“You need these kind of gem events that come up every so often that have the ability to put Tasmania up in lights as something that’s different and unique.”
According to Red Bull, 20 of the best big wave surfers in the world “from international professionals and underground Tasmanian chargers” will take on one of the deadliest waves in the world.
“This will be the first-ever live broadcast event held in the heaving cold water slab, and the challenge will be unlike any other,” Red Bull said on its website.
The line-up includes the 2016 Australian Cape Fear winner Russell Bierke, recently retired Aussie legend Fanning and Hawaiian chargers Jamie O’Brien and Nathan Florence.
“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,” Fanning said.
“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.”
Mathews said it took a special breed of surfer to take on Shipstern Bluff.
“The mountainous size, power and majestic intensity of Shipstern Bluff, matched with 20 fearless big wave surfers, has all the ingredients to be a highly viewed surfing event,” he said.
The 10 Tasmanians nominated include Daniel Griffiths, Zebulon Critchlow, Shaun Wallbank, James Hollmer-Cross, Tyler Hollmer-Cross, Marti Paradisis, Michael Brennan, James McKean, Brook Phillips and Alex Zadawadzki.
The contest window will stay open until December 31 to ensure the best waves.
Critchlow said there would be a five-month window to allow a big enough swell to arrive for the event.
“The call is being made by a collective group, including event organisers, meteorologists and surfers, so they have got a pretty experienced crew there,” he said.
“It’s really exciting to get to surf against three world champions and guys that I have idolised for a long time like Ross Clark-Jones and Mick Fanning and Russell Bierke, who is an absolute ball of talent and a mad man.”
The Cape Fear contest was launched in 2014 by Mathews and fellow Australian big wave surfer Ryan Hipwood.
Surfers invited to Red Bull Cape Fear 2018
Russell Bierke (AUS)
Pedro Scooby (BRA)
Daniel Griffiths (AUS)
Michael Brennan (AUS)
Mick Fanning (AUS)
Laurie Towner (AUS)
Shaun Wallbank (AUS)
Zebulon Critchlow (AUS)
Ross Clarke-Jones (AUS)
Ryan Hipwood (AUS)
James McKean (AUS)
Brook Phillips (AUS)
Jamie O-Brien (USA)
Nathan Florence (USA)
James Hollmer-Cross (AUS)
Marti Paradisis (AUS)
Kai Lenny (USA)
Billy Kemper (USA)
Tyler Hollmer-Cross (AUS)
Alex Zawadzki (AUS)
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