2009 Red Bull Riders Cup Season Announced

It's baaaaaack! The Red Bull Riders Cup is back for another season, so hold on to your graduation caps and get ready. Last year it was Carlsbad High School that took top honors. Who will it be this time around? Amassing over 34 high schools from eight distinct surfing regions around the country, the Red Bull Riders Cup is the premier high school surf function. While 34 teams will enter, only one will hoist the cup. The season is coming on quick, so be ready.

Stay tuned as the season gets underway in Santa Cruz next week.


What is Red Bull Riders Cup? Here's the skinny:

The Tournament: Using the National Surf League's "Game" format, in a single-elimination "march-madness" style battle royale 34 high schools are entered into 8 regional qualifiers. Four high schools from each region make it to the national championships.

The Format: Start time is at 4pm after school, and the entire Game spans under 2 hours. 3 total periods, 2 heats per period, teams alternate surfing each heat. Each heat is 12 minutes long. Each team is allotted 5 "time outs" per game of 2 minutes each.

The Team: Teams of 12 Athletes max: 4 starters, 2 substitutes and 2 non-active reserves (2.0 GPA min) Head coach with at least 1 assistant coach (water coach). Each team has 2 substitutes in the water ready; subs can sub in only once per heat.