Red Bull Surfing : Articles

During a Chilean Summer

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:42:32 -0600

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It is quite common to hear people say that traveling is the best thing you can do in life.   Anyone fortunate enough to have gone on a few trips knows how priceless traveling really is. Not only do you experience new places and the cultures which reside there, but you also learn invaluable knowledge about yourself, the people you are traveling with, and the world as a whole.

There are few people who know this better than professional big wave surfer Jamie Sterling. Jamie, or "Sterls" as all his friends call him, is a rare breed of individual. He has dedicated his entire life to making sure that he is at the exact place on the globe where the biggest and best rideable waves are at any particular moment.   Over the past 12+ years of traveling, with much trial and error, Sterls has become a truly professional traveler. That is a feat in itself. Now that I have had the opportunity to go on a handful of trips with Jamie I see that actually catching and riding the big waves is only part of the challenge that is Big Wave Surfing. All the logistics in between are where the bulk of the work is, and working out those logistics is something Sterls really shines at. It is his mastery of all these land-based activities that allow him to capitalize on the precious moments when the ocean creates the giant swells that all big wave aficionados live their lives for. These rare, giant, and rideable big days offer the people who are there to experience them memories that are implanted into their heads for the rest of their lives.

Red Bull Rivals

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:50:16 -0600

After many many days and many, many Red Bull's, a number of meetings with the top surfers, coaches and industry peeps, we have officially finalized the list! Here is the voting link for Red Bull Rivals.

Vote for your dream team of who you want to represent the NORTH SHORE (Country) and who you want to represent SOUTH SHORE (Town)on Saturday September 5th at Sandy Beach on Oahu!

Voting is open as of right......NOW!!!!!!! till midnight Wednesday the 12th.

WHAT: Red Bull Rivals is a one day surf event pitting Oahu's legendary shores (North Shore and South Shore) against each other. Top Surfers from each shore will battle it out in a head-to-head surf competition for ultimate island bragging rights. To keep things fair, the event will be held on the Eastside of Oahu at Sandy Beach (Neutral Territory). No major surf event has been held at this popular surf hangout location since the Gotcha Pro back in the Early 1980s. Besides bragging rights, teams will compete for a territory advantage in next year's competition and the losing team has to give the winning team their surfboards (similar to "racing for pink slips").

Ten surfers for each team will be chosen by online voting and teams must include at least one female surfer and 2 groms (17 or under). A "ringer" will be allowed to be a part of each team and does not have to be disclosed until day of competition (this can be any surfer from anywhere in the world).

WHO: Twenty of Oahu's top surfers, trying to win bragging rights for themselves and their shore. Judging will be spearheaded by KaiBorg Garcia and his panel.

WHERE: Sandy Beach (Neutral Territory for competing teams) Eastside of Oahu, Hawaii

WHEN: Saturday, September 5. 10:30am - 4:30pm

Red Bull Mentawai: Anatomy of a Super Trip

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:05:22 -0600

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By Sandy Stevenson

Words like "epic", "all-time", and "classic" are heard all too often around the island chain that is the Mentawais... these are the words that come way too easily on the tongue in this swell-pounded region. You'll be standing on the deck of a surf-charter boat sipping a cold one and the words might drift across the water to you..."awesome", "best session ever", "off-the-scale". Maybe this renders them meaningless for when the real deal comes along. So you might forgive me for pinching myself as I stand on the back of the Indies Trader IV chatting to Mick Fanning after a barrel-fest session at Rags Right when he says "That's got to be one of the top 5 barrel sessions I've ever had".

Red Bull Rising Program Fine-Tunes Its Next Batch of Surf Stars

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:21:53 -0600

See the Red Bull Rising gallery right here

The ten surfers chosen for this year's Red Bull Rising Camp have flown into Australia from seven corners of the globe. Their ages range from 11 to 21 and they bring an eclectic mix of personalities and accents to the Casuarina training centre.

In common they share a love of surfing and an ability to dice waves apart like sou chefs. They all dream of surf stardom. They all hope to edge closer to that dream. Whenever Red Bull's Andy King urges them to listen they huddle forward and their faces crease in concentration.

"There's no such thing as luck in pro surfing," Kingy tells them during the second day of the 2009 Red Bull Rising Camp. "No one wins nine world titles because they were lucky or because the judges were on their side. It's how hard you work. How much effort you're willing to put in. When you surf on the WQS [World Qualifying Series] there will be 600 guys chasing the same thing as you. You've got to ask yourself - do you want it more than them? How far are you willing to go?"

Peahi Pioneer Robby Naish Inspires The Dutch To Go Out And Get Wet

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 10:53:56 -0600

Unreal, far-out, timidity, inspiring and respect were words uttered by the 25 young talented kitesurfers invited by Red Bull to experience the ultimate kitesurfing weekend with surfing legend Robby Naish and Holland's pride Ruben Lenten.

After a rigorous selection process, overseen by one of the world's most extreme kitesurfers, Ruben Lenten, 25 talented young kitesurfers were invited to attend the Red Bull Kitesurf Camp; an inspiring weekend with Ruben Lenten and surfing icon Robby Naish.

After a three-hour ferry ride, the three-day event kicks off with music, a drink and a massive campfire on the beach of Vlieland. From chatting and having a laugh with Ruben to timidity and silence in the presence of legend Robby Naish. The weather during the weekend is disappointing; 18 degrees Celsius, lots of sun and no wind. What would qualify as a nice day for the average Dutchman, is a bad day for 'stomping' for a kitesurfer. But it does not break the kitesurfers' spirits, because it is all part of a surfer's life, after all. "I am waiting for wind all my life," says Naish.

2008 Surfer Poll: The Whole Shocking Truth

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:56:38 -0600

The masses have spoken and once again Kelly Slater and Sofia Mulanovich reign supreme in the ultimate annual election. The two accepted their awards last night at the 2008 SURFER Poll and Video Awards presented by Suzuki Auto at The Grove in Anaheim, California. The venue was packed to the brim, with several being turned away at the door due to a record-breaking over-capacity crowd. The other big winner of the night, claiming both "Movie of the Year" and "Documentary of the Year," was "Bustin' Down the Door" featuring surf legends Shaun Thomson, Peter "PT" Townend, and Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew.

Tales of the Magnum Mobile Wave Chaser

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:50:42 -0600

Words, Photos, and Video by Ariel Willeford
For Jamie Sterling chasing huge waves around the globe is second nature. He studies the Internet and pinpoints when and where the biggest waves in the southern hemisphere will be, while the northern hemisphere is asleep for the summer. There are a lot of logistics to chasing big swells, and since many of the waves Jamie aspires to surf require the assistance of a Jet Ski, he has to make sure there is always one available when he shows up.

"Last year I arrived at Mavericks on the biggest day of the year and had arranged a jet ski thru a friend and he failed to deliver the ski. It was a very frustrating day for me and my tow partner, Troy Alotis, to sit and watch my dream scenario unfold without being able to surf."

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Meet Red Bull Rising Athlete Gavin Gillette

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:42:27 -0600

Hawaiian surfer Gavin Gillette can’t remember a time when he wasn’t surfing. “I’ve been surfing since I can remember, I’ve always been on a board”, the smooth, lanky, natural footer said. “It’s in my blood, mom and dad who are my tow-in partners, are both amazing surfers”, says the 21 year-old from Kilauea on the northerly island of Kaua. “I grew up surfing Pinetrees on Kaua‘i's north shore.” Gillette says that he became fascinated with competitions as a youngster and that throughout his teens, he always ranked highly in the National Scholastic Surfing Association events. Last year Gillette withdrew from the WQS after his younger brother suffered a terrible motorcycle accident, he ranked 174th. “It’s a job! But if your job is fun, you want to do it all the time”, he said of his surfing. “2008 will be great – I’m going to be great I’m aiming on making the WCT,” said Gillette. “Surf with your heart and keep your talent and ego out the equation”, he advises. With his priorities re-aligned, his big-wave act beyond question and his small wave and competition strategy constantly being worked on, look for Gavin's heart to be propelling him towards his ultimate goal of qualifying for the 2009 ASP Dream Tour.

Meet Red Bull Rising Athlete Wiggolly Dantas

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:36:13 -0600

Big things are expected from Wiggolly Dantas, the latest in the long line of hot surfers coming off the Brazilian conveyor belt. While his small wave act is typically electric, it was in the 2006 Monstor Energy Pro, held in big, epic and dangerous Pipeline, that Wiggolly showed he has the potential, talent and determination to be a star of the sport. These characteristics shone through at he Red Bull Rising selection camp. “It was a great surprise to be selected,” said Wiggolly. “Among so many excellent surfers from different culture and countries, we all have the same desires to build friendship through surfing”, says Wiggolly. “The most exciting part of the camp was Mick Fanning words to the surfers”, says Wiggolly, knowing words of advice from world champs is rare wisdom indeed. The goofyfooter’s surfing addiction started when he was just three. His older brother and sister taught him to stand on a board. In 2005, he was crowned Quiksilver King of the Groms in France. Now, living in Itamambuca Beach south of Sao Paulo, he says that winning that event was a fantastic feeling: “I was crying with happiness when I won the title!". In 2007 Dantas took out the American Billabong Pro Junior in Peru, and the quiet Brazilian, with the engaging smile, seems unstoppable for 2008. Dantas says that the surfers he admires most are Mick Fanning, Andy Irons and Kelly Slater. “My aim is to be on the WCT, it’s my dream," he says. “When there are no waves, I do boxing training and practice jiu jitsu." Dantas also loves watching surfing movies for motivation. “I get ideas and inspiration from them," he says. When it comes to naming his favourite surf breaks, Dantas obviously loves the biggies. “I love Pipeline because it’s a nice left and Teahupoo, as I like the dangerous wave." Once again, his favourite wave choices indicate his desire to mix it in the most heaviest of surfing's cauldrons.

Meet Red Bull Rising Athlete Michael Bourez

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:22:55 -0600

The nickname Spartan tells a lot us about Michael Bourez. His body is seemingly chiseled out of hard granite and his ability and courage is unquestionable. Destined to take over the mantle from fellow Tahitian Manao Drollet as the best surfer at the world's heaviest wave, Teahupoo, Michael is the complete surfer. Last year he beat world champion Kelly Slater in three feet French beachbreaks at the Quiksilver Pro and while his big-wave act is well established, it's his pure natural talentthat will see him reach the upper echelons of surfing. Quiet, respectful, funny and hard as nails, it is no surprise why he is the wild card in the Red Bull Rising pack.

Meet Red Bull Rising Athlete Clint Kimmins

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:14:32 -0600

Clint Kimmins learned to surf as a three year old when his dad started pushing him into waves and that initial passion has never left him. “I started surfing when I was a little kid and have not been able to stay away from it (since)”, said the 23-year-old who reckons that apart from attending the Selection Camp for the Red Bull WQS Program last January, his career highlight to date was winning the World Under 16 Title in 2000 in Bali. “My strength has been in big waves but my passion is for contests”, says the Gold Coast surfer. Like many other WQS surfers, Kimmins is quietly determined to move into the top 45, but he says he’s as stoked to represent Australia as he is to win a local competition. I’m happy to make the world team for Australia and go to the world titles”, he adds. Kimmins’s form has been very consistent, always finishing in the top five of the ASP juniors. Life has thrown a few obstacles at the nuggety, likeable Kimmins, but he's never ever questioned his belief that he belongs in the elite level of the sport. With a training program designed to build flexibility and endurance, he cross trains with gym workouts, runs a half marathon (21km) every fortnight and around 5-8 km every other day. However, he’s focused on making his mark on the WQS. “I’ve never been so determined in my whole life”, he says with a smile. And as a crucial part of Red Bull Rising, this year count on that determination to make a big, big impact on pro surfing.

Meet Red Bull Rising Athlete Tim Boal

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:01:58 -0600

The stylish natural footer, with a mix of French, Irish and Caribbean blood coursing through his veins, looks set for a mammoth year on the WQS. With Red Bull Rising's support, combined with a pure, almost freaky talent, his last year's best ever WQS ranking of 43 is set to be eclipsed in 2008. It's not a question of if, but when, for this true waterman. “It was the best week of my life”, said Tim Boal about participating at the Red Bull WQS Selection Camp last January. Boal’s wins include the 2007 Reef Vendee, 2004 Peniche Rip Curl Pro and he was Vice-European champion in 2007. A keen waterman, Boal grew up on sailboats and spent all the time he had surfing, swimming and body boarding. While his sailing ability resulted in winning two French National Championships in the Optimist class, surfing stayed his real passion. After winning his first European pro juniors comp in 2004, he has never looked back. “I just try and have fun”, he says modestly. Other surfers might be content to hold his high WQS ranking of 43, but 24 year old Boal is itching to get ripping for the 2008 series. Boal’s structured training schedule includes surfing, core strength, weights and golf. While he recalls with glee a session in solid 12 ft swell at Sunset as the biggest wave he’s ever surfed, Boal said that his beloved Hossegor is the break he’d choose to surf every day.

The Chick Charges

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:38:22 -0600

With Teahupoo going absolutely haywire on November 1, Maya Gabeira held her own in conditions that had Tahitian stalwarts like Manoa Drollet, Raimana Van Bastolear, Laird Hamilton and Shane Dorian hanging on for dear life, and in the process she proved to the world that being a girl from Brazil is hardly a handicap. But don't listen to our chauvinistic voice, here's what she had to say:

What stands out most about that day?

What stands out? I think just being out there surfing with all my heroes and having so much support coming from all of them. It was just a dream coming true.

What goes through your mind as you're towing into these kind of waves?

My best wave, which was the third one, I was just thinking I had to go as fast as I could to make it to the channel. I had two very heavy wipeouts earlier, so I just wanted to make that wave really bad. I really didn't want to get beat down again.

Ian Walsh Pulls Back The Curtain On The Biggest Wave of His Life

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:44:05 -0600

Even though I'd already analyzed it 20 times over, I checked the forecast one more time before calling Shane [Dorian] to see what his program was. He was in Canada at the time, so we just started to put the pieces together from there with the help of his wife. The immediate plan was that we'd both red-eye it into LAX, meet up at the Sheraton on Wednesday morning, have my lifejackets dropped off at the airport just before I get on the flight, then hop on the eight-hour flight to Tahiti from there.

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