Red Bull Surfing

Not enough time in the day for you to learn all there is to know about modern surfing dynamics? No worries, just go to night school…Red Bull Night School that is. Running in conjunction with the Red Bull Night Riders—an all-out, high-flying tow-at affair held under the lights and in the lineup in Atlantic City—the Night School is a three-week precursor held on lovely Nantucket Island. Amassing surfers from a pool of over 15 of New England’s most core surf shops, Red Bull Night School gives the local boys (and girls) a chance to pick up the tow-rope and soar with the best of them.

And while you may once have known a man from Nantucket who had certain, how shall we say, attributes, chances are he couldn’t whip into a wave at 30 mph and launch into space. But for those men (and women) in Nantucket attending Night School, they’ll have a chance to learn how to tow-at from the best of ‘em. East Coast pit bosses like Sam Hammer, Raven Lundy, and last year’s Night Rider champ Andrew Gesler will all be on hand, working as “educators,” living with and coaching the ardent surf shop employees.

Julian Wilson has once again proved you most certainly can believe the hype, as yesterday he broke through for his first win of 2008. Crushing 128 of the Australia's best U/20 surfers at D-Bah, Julian showed up at the Brothers Neilsen Pro Junior and did what he does best...surf better than everybody else. Living up to his reputation as one of the world’s most electrifying performers the 18 year-old was in sizzling form from his opening ride in the small but perfect right-hand waves.

The Red Bull Riders Cup hit Central Florida this week as Satellite High took the win becoming the Central Florida Red Bull Riders Cup regional champions. The eight regional finalists travel to California where they will compete at the Red Bull Riders Cup National Championships June 13-15 at San Onofre State Beach in San Clemente.

Jamie O’Brien has done it again. The 2006 Pipeline Master has added another prestigious title to his list of achievements by winning the Air Tahiti Nui – Von Zipper Trials in heaving 6-8ft slabs at Teahupoo in Tahiti. In the precurser to the Billabong Pro, he defeated talented Brazilian goofy footer Bruno Santos in an epic final that saw the Hawaiian steal the lead in the dying minute with a perfect ten point ride. He was the standout performer of the day, scoring two 10-point rides on the way to the final and a near perfect 19.93 out of 20.00 in his Quarter Final.

And if that wasn't enough, the swell only got bigger, and as  you can see by the photos, there were some especially heavy moments.

Get Your own 10-point ride Inside Tahiti right here.

Think Jamie's nuts? Check out Red Bull USA to meet all the other lunatics.

Looking forward to the madness that is the Billabong Pro Teahupoo, the Red Bull crew  is more than eager to get their feet wet in the South Pacific. Timmy Patterson recently finished a brand new tow-board for Andy Irons with the intention of getting Andy into “some mean ones.” At the time Andy was enjoying a brief respite in mainland Mexico, and after the respite, he’s more than ready to throw himself into the fray. Bruce on the other hand has been enjoying his down days in Bali, surfing and filming for one movie part or another. Will he be ready for Tahiti? As long as it’s pumping, count on it.

And what about our defending world champ and runner-up in Tahiti in 2007? Well, old Mick Fanning's more than a month into his marriage and life is good. With wedding madness behind him he's been back on point, surfing on the Gold Coast when it's on, an enjoying the down days between Bells and Tahiti. Considering how much effort he put into Teahupoo last year, one has to figure going back this year will be a lot like riding a bike and he probably didn't forget the feeling.

First and foremost, a huge congratulations goes out to Maya Gaberia, who last night received the Billabong Girl's Best Overall Performance Award at the Billabong XXL Awards. After her harrowing session at Teahupoo last November it's safe to say she earned it. Now that that's out of the way, after going to these big-wave hootenannies for the better part of 10 years think I’ve finally figured out how to safely navigate this night with a bit of dignity.

Live From Sofia's Blog: This was a cool day at my home beach in Punta Hermosa, Peru. Red Bull created a contest for 25 girls between the ages of 10 and 16 to come out to the beach and paint a blank surfboard shaped canvas, with the hopes of me choosing their design.  Read More From Sofia...

Check out the photos...

See what else is going on with the Bull at Red Bull USA.

After a gnar-cor week of head-to-head games at Pleasure Point Soquel High School emerged as the clear-cut Santa Cruz regional champion. With some classic Beach Boys-esque "Be True to your School" mojo going down, the final game on Thursday between Soquel High School and Harbor High School brought out big crowds for the action packed final. “The kids have fun, it’s all about the camaraderie in and out of the water,” says Harbor High School coach Neil Pearlberg.

With their win Soquel HIgh is the first team to qualify for the national Riders Cup held down in Southern California later this summer. Click here to see the complete blow-by-blow.

Next the Red Bull Riders Cup heads to South Florida, April 15-17, be there or be square.

Check out photographic evidence of Menehunes causing mayhem

The conditions were prime, and the weather was perfect in typical Maui fashion this past Saturday at the Fifth Annual Ian Walsh Menehune Mayhem Surf Event at Ho’okipa Beach Park, in Maui, Hawaii.  Ian, with the help of his apparel sponsor O’Neill, put on an event to remember for the local kids of Hawaii.  Instead of the normal amateur contest breakdown of six man, 15 minute heats, the finals were divided into four man, 15 minute heats.  “This gives the kids a different type of contest,” said Walsh.  “I want them to get a feel for the competitions they will be involved in if they go pro.”    

It's hard to believe it's been seven years since Andy and Bruce Irons threw their first kids contest down at Pine Trees, but come Saturday, April 5, 2008, they'll be celebrating the 7th Annual Irons Brother's Pine Trees Classic on the North Shore of Kauai. I guess we're just all getting older. Regardless of our age, keeping in mind all that surfing's given them, when the idea came up to hold their own contest all those years ago they figured spreading the love was only the right thing to do. Bigger and better than ever, Andy and  Bruce can't wait for Saturday. Stay tuned for exclusive photos and coverage of the extravaganza.