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News tag:www.redbullsurfing.com,2007-10-19:/news//2 2008-06-16T17:02:56Z Movable Type Publishing Platform 4.01 Red Bull Rider's Cup: And the Winner Is... tag:www.redbullsurfing.com,2008:/news//2.238 2008-06-16T13:59:01Z 2008-06-16T17:02:56Z

See photos of the carnage here...The flames of rivalries were stoked, lines were drawn in the sand (only to be erased by the high tide), and it came down to brother against brother (sort of) at the 2008 Red Bull...

Red Bull Surfing

See photos of the carnage here...

The flames of rivalries were stoked, lines were drawn in the sand (only to be erased by the high tide), and it came down to brother against brother (sort of) at the 2008 Red Bull Riders Cup National Championships. Held on the cobblestone point at Trestles known simply as "Church" (a fitting name for any western shoot-out), the swell poured through all weekend long, giving opportunity to the best high school surf squads from around the country to test both their mettle and manhood. But come finals time, crosstown rivals San Clemente High and Carlsbad High would be the only two standing.]]>

It started with eight. Eight teams, eight of the best and brightest from every corner of the continental U.S. Florida, New Jersey, up and down the Western Seaboard, they came to Church on Sunday with one thing on their mind, and while all the coaches gave their disciples fitful sermons, deeds done in the lineup were anything but holy. Ocean City, Satellite Beach, Soquel, they'd all arrived to pummel their opponents into submission and hoist the Riders Cup. Forget resting on the Sabbath, nobody would take a break until the last wave was ridden.

In the end, with broken boards and deflated adolescent egos strewn about, there would only be two teams left, two teams which maybe not-so-coincidentally have been in the middle of a border dispute over who actually lived closest to the break. Local knowledge--and a fair bit of talent--saw San Clemente High and Carlsbad High square off for the fortune and glory of it all.

By Sabbath's end Carlsbad had upended San Clemente, 78 to 83 (even though it was deemed San Clemente lived closer). “We had a solid team, you couldn’t ask for better surfing conditions, the kids surf traditional contests all the time, but they really look forward to working as a team and competing at Red Bull Riders Cup,” says Carlsbad coach, David Barr.

Sharpshooter and Carlsbad High MVP, Gabe Garcia drove the team to victory with his consistency throughout the entire competition. “San Clemente High was a super good team; they did some great surfing and it was close until the very end, we’re pumped to be the national champions.”

The Red Bull Riders Cup is not your typical surf contest. Nope, this one's actually interesting. Established in 2001 by surf luminary, Brad Gerlach, the National Surf Leauge's "Game" format, is based around a team-format, with coaches, time-outs, refs, and even classy introductions. The mantra reads "dedicated to the pursuit of surfing excellence, building awareness for the sport of surfing while creating a fun competitive landscape for all types of surfers.

“I’m really impressed with the surfing community; we’ve had over fifty professional surfers come out to support, coach, and referee the games," says Gerlach. "There is no other surf event that brings the professional surfing community out to help the kid's progress."

And if you didn't see all the action live from the beach, VBS.tv, home of the online surf show Hi-Shredability, has been documenting the story of the NSL and Red Bull Riders Cup since the beginning. Don't miss their documentary about the Red Bull Riders Cup, coming September 2008.

So, in the end Carlsbad High goes home the national champs, and with it comes an entire year's worth of bragging rights, which ain't half bad. But considering the talent level, repeating could prove to be a dicey proposition come next season.

Final Results:

Saturday June 14, 2008/ Round One
Game One: San Clemente High (OC) def. Mira Costa High (South Bay)
Game Two: Ocean City High (NJ) def. Jupiter High (SFL)
Game Three: Carpinteria (Ventura) High def. Satellite High (CFL)
Game Four: Soquel High (SC) def. Carlsbad High (SD)

Sunday June 15, 2008/ Semifinals
Game One: San Clemente High (OC) def. Ocean City High (NJ)
Game Two: Carlsbad High (SD) def. Carpinteria (Ventura)

National Championship Game
                                         | P1   | P2 | P3 | Final
|-------------------------------+------+-----+-----+-------------|
|                               |      |     |     |             |
| San Clemente High             |29.5 |26   |22.5 | 78
|-------------------------------+------+-----+-----+-------------|
|                               |      |     |     |             |
|Carlsbad High                  |29.5 |27   |26.5 |    83
|-------------------------------+------+-----+-----+-------------|

Most Valuable Player – Gabe Garcia, Carlsbad High

Most Radical Maneuver – Riley Metcalf, San Clemente High School

]]> Red Bull Rising: Full Moon Fever tag:www.redbullsurfing.com,2008:/news//2.235 2008-06-13T16:18:24Z 2008-06-13T16:29:21Z

Red Bull Surfing

“I was so in the zone, just getting right into my surfing, that it wasn’t till I duckdived and saw the bright stars through the roof of the wave that I remembered that it was the middle of the night.” And so Julian Wilson, the 19-year-old wunderkid from Queensland, Australia, talked through a full-moon session last night at Pasta Point. Julian competed in the Sri Lankan Airways Pro over here, and, although not an athlete on Red Bull Rising, he decided to spend the week on board and try and soak up as much information and inspiration from the WQS high performance program as he could.
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It’s a safe bet he didn’t think that would entail surfing at one in the morning, in six feet waves, under the combined light of the moon and the Teate’s top mast spotlight. As usual, it was Red Bull Rising’s Clint Kimmins that was the main instigator and prime mover for the midnight mission.

“Well, yeah, I figured I hadn’t enough waves today, plus I was a little bummed about losing today (Clint was cruelly relegated in the final 30 seconds of the heat) and what better way to get over it and score some waves,” said Clipper, as hyper-enthusiastic as ever. "It took about an hour to psyche ourselves into it. Once out there we were laughing so much, and it was pretty dark (hence the lack of photographic evidence I’m afraid) but we surfed for an hour and had some epic waves.”

It was a pretty bold move - all the Rising athletes had gone free surfing just on dark in waves about as big as this part of the world can get. Tim Boal and Michel Bourez surfed a left on dark called Honkeys which Michel called a solid eight feet. “And that’s a Spartan eight feet!” laughed Tim afterwards, referring to Michel’s nickname, and the fact that his penchant for massive waves, a function of him growing up in the powerful Tahitian reefs, means, if anything, he tends to underestimates a little. Either way and whatever what you want to call it, the waves were pretty sizey and scary enough in broad daylight, let alone in the middle of the bloody night!

It was just the tonic, after what had been a pretty dismal day, in competition terms, with all he athletes failing to progress in today’s heats of the Sri Lankan Airways Pro. “You know it’s an emotional rollercoaster, this pro surfing tour,” said Kingy reflecting back on the boat, feeling the pain of losing as much as any of the athletes. “But now it’s about going surfing, working on it, analysing what went wrong and looking forward to the next event.” It obviously helped that just after saying that, he jumped off the side of the boat and started paddling towards some reeling perfection.

“Look, it happens, you are always going to have some bad results,” said Gavin Gillette, who was also involved in the night riding mission. “But we’ll deal with it and move on. We are in paradise, there are good waves, we can work on our surfing, everyone’s psyched to squeeze everything we can get out of the trip.” With the forecast looking good and all the athletes so amped, the squeeze is on. Check out the clip to see what's been happening so far, and keep online for more action over the next couple of days.

]]> Red Bull Rising: Live From The Maldives tag:www.redbullsurfing.com,2008:/news//2.233 2008-06-11T16:17:38Z 2008-06-11T17:26:58Z

Story By Ben Mondy“I’m going to sleep well tonight,” Michel Bourez is sitting on top of a Dhoni, a traditional Maldivian boat, and the transport equivalent of a truck in these parts. “I’ve tried to just two hours a day...

Red Bull Surfing

Story By Ben Mondy

“I’m going to sleep well tonight,” Michel Bourez is sitting on top of a Dhoni, a traditional Maldivian boat, and the transport equivalent of a truck in these parts. “I’ve tried to just two hours a day surfing, but I must have done at least four hours today, the surf was too good.”

We were chugging along a glassy Indian Ocean on the roof of the Dhoni, under a molten pink tinged sky, five minutes before dusk, heading back to the Teate, a sweet boat, Maldives Red Bull Rising HQ and our home for the week.

It had been another epic freesurfing session, as Michel was joined by Tim Boal, Clint Kimmins and Gavin Gillette, in a tune up session for their heats in the Sri Lankan Airways Pro, a six star WQS event being held in the turquoise waters, tropical heat and ruler edged reefs of the Maldives.

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That free surf session had ended with Clint Kimmins steaming out of the horizon, getting towed behind the Red Bull jet ski at warp speed, slicing through his mates and scoring the wave of the day in some type of apocalyptic Water World scenario. The only man missing in the water was Red Bull Rising coach Andy King, who, as ever, was diligently filming the session on land, ready for analysis on board the boat that night. His hard work over the last two days documenting both competition heats and free surfing sessions, heck over the last 12 months, had already paid off, with Clint winning his last two heats and progressing through to the last 64. “It’s cool having the backing of the Red Bull Rising, even yesterday I was going through the footage with Kingy trying to pick the right board to ride,” said the man universally known as Clipper. “We went through all my boards, looking at both free surfs and competition from the last couple of months and chose the right board, and it went sick, so the hard work payed off immediately.

And I suppose that’s the essence of what is happening out here right now, in these tiny specks of coral in the middle of the India Ocean. While these athletes are living the surfing dream, surfing incredible waves in a beautiful location, playing high stakes poker (the loser, last night it was Clint, who had to then jump off the a 30-foot mast into the pitch black ocean) cruising with their mates, and yet when it comes to performing and succeeding in pro surfing, nothing is being left to chance. Every turn is captured, every board scrutinised, every session on the fitball is about progressing their surfing and their chance of success. As Gavin Gillette said, “We’re here to surf, and have fun, but to compete at the highest level is the goal, and the Red Bull Rising is helping us do that.” With that he then proceeded to scale the side of the boat like a spider monkey, reach the 25-foot high platform and perform a perfectly executed back flip. “He’s like some action man,” said Tim Boal smiling and watching. “You’ll be walking down the road and then, bang, Gav has just disappeared, and you look up and he’ll be up a tree, or he’s spotted a ledge and he’ll be doing a back flip off it. He’s the full action man.”

He’s in the right spot then, as this place is just about to kick into more high performance, high speed action. I’ll be here, trying to keep up. Stay on redbullsurfing.com, and there’ll be more blogs, web clips and interviews to let you know just what freakily good surfing is coming up next.

]]> So you wanna be a surf star? Red Bull Rising Begins Now! tag:www.redbullsurfing.com,2008:/news//2.225 2008-06-08T20:39:45Z 2008-06-08T21:52:06Z

Red Bull Surfing

Last January 19 of the world’s leading junior surfers were invited to the Red Bull WQS Selection Camp held in Australia. After an intensive selection phase only four made the cut into Red Bull Rising, Red Bull's high performance program. The surfers that made this unique elite athlete surfing development team were Brazilian Wiggolly Dantas, the Hawaiian Gavin Gilette, Clint Kimmins from Australia and Frenchman Tim Boal. The fifth surfer, Michel Bourez from Tahiti was nominated through a wild card due to his outstanding talent.

]]>
In these ultra-competitive times, sheer talent and determination alone are mostly not enough to get one over the line and onto the winner’s podium. Trainer Andy King says: “Red Bull Rising was designed to be a bridge between the athlete’s junior career and the elite WCT, it shall open up the doors for junior surfers keen to become professional athletes, who until now have had limited opportunities to increase their skills and chances of having a shot at becoming a world champion.”

The five talents were selected based on two skill levels. One being their sports performance, where they had to withstand a series of activities, designed around real-life situations and surfing under different conditions. The second criteria was a list of skills and character features they had to bring along, such as pure talent, a strong personality, immense drive and ambition to strive for the top, the ability to listen and learn, excellent work ethics, an overall positive attitude and the competitive potential to become world class.

Tahitian Michel Bourez was succinct with his response to selection and advises up and coming surfers to chase their goals. “Grab it. You dream job is up for grabs”, he says.

“This was a great surprise to be selected” agrees Brazil’s Wiggolly Dantas. “The Red Bull Camp gave me wings to fly to new horizons and a new vision of surfing world”, says the 18 year-old surfing dynamo from Sao Paulo. “The most exciting part of the camp was Mick Fanning's words to the surfers”, says Wiggolly.
The effervescent Hawaiian Gavin Gillette concurs that it’s a huge opportunity.

“2008 will be great, I’m going to be great, I’m aiming on making the WCT”, he said. Gillette has recently reignited his surfing career as in 2007 he withdrew from the WQS after his younger brother suffered a terrible motorcycle accident and is ranked 174th. “Surf with your heart and keep your talent and ego out the equation”, Gillette advises.

Australian surfer Clint Kimmins acknowledges that the program allows the athlete to concentrate on their performance. “It is such a great feeling to know you have Kingy and the entire support of Red Bull behind you at each event”, he says. “A massive weight has been taken off our shoulders in the way of the stress involved with traveling and getting organised enough to give your 100 per cent in the water”, he adds. “To be completely honest and I think I can speak for everyone on the program, that we are honoured to have been given such an opportunity”, he says with a huge smile. “Sky is the limit, bring on 2008!” he says.

French champion Tim Boal, from St Martins in the Caribbean, envies the dream of surfing for a living. “It’s important for me to know that I have done everything I could and have no regrets; I want to do what I can to reach my goals of becoming a world class surfer.”

Advice from ASP judges, shapers, media specialists, coach Andy King and current world champion Mick Fanning, all together already had a huge impact on the surfers’ performance and attitude during the selection.
The feedback received from Surfing Australia, too underlined that the goal was achieved. “You left a very positive impact on this community so well done on a personal and professional level to all of your team”, commented Surfing Australia’s CEO Mark Lane.

“The Red Bull approach and professionalism to your camp was well matched to the image we try to portray at the (High Performance) Centre”, he said. In bringing the surfers to the top, the whole program has already a proven record of success. In its first year two of the programs’ participants made the WCT, Royden Bryson (RSA) and Ben Dunn (AUS). The year after Tiago Pires (POR) followed and so confirmed that the program has taken the right path. Coach Andy King is very pleased with this year’s selection and banks on the five new program participants: “These surfers, in their first years on the global tour, can focus on their performance only, add to this the coaching on technique and life skills and we are fast tracking theses kids to the top!”

As ‘graduates’ of the program, King wants to see the Red Bull athletes to be ready to confidently apply their skills independently as they continue their careers. “It’s going to be exciting for all of us to play such an integral role at such a crucial time in the careers of these future champions”, said King.

]]> CRISANTO Claims Silver At ISA WORLD JUNIOR SURFING CHAMPIONSHIPS tag:www.redbullsurfing.com,2008:/news//2.224 2008-06-04T14:53:29Z 2008-06-04T15:01:02Z

Story By Cassio CortesBrazilian Peterson Crisanto defeated Tahitian Tamaroa McComb twice during the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship’s Under 16 competition on his way to the grand final, but unfortunately for the Red Bull athlete, the Tahitian picked up his...

Red Bull Surfing Peterson Crisanto10.jpg

Story By Cassio Cortes
Brazilian Peterson Crisanto defeated Tahitian Tamaroa McComb twice during the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship’s Under 16 competition on his way to the grand final, but unfortunately for the Red Bull athlete, the Tahitian picked up his top form in the final heat, and won in a very tight final.
Tamaroa began with an 8.10 that slotted him into first place. Peterson scored a lesser 6.20. A few minutes later, the Tahitian scored a near-perfect 9.10 after having executed a huge off-the-lip, followed by five big maneuvers that took him all the way to the beach. Not to be defeated, the Brazilian then scored a high but insufficient 7.54, which left him searching for a very difficult 9.66.
Crisanto very nearly got the score when he pulled off two stylish roundhouse cutbacks, a tailslide 360 and two off-the-lips onto the sand, which gave the Brazilian a 9.62, just 0.04 below what he required. With this score, he needed precisely 7.92, which unfortunately he never quite found. Still, it was a career-best result for Crisanto.
Boys Under 16 ISA World Junior Championships Results
Gold: Tamaroa McComb (TAH)
Silver: Peterson Crisanto (BRA)
Bronze: Matty Costa (HAW)
Copper: Ian Fontaine (FRA) ]]> OPERATION HEALTHY VETERANS: Operation Amped Storms the Beaches of Zuma tag:www.redbullsurfing.com,2008:/news//2.223 2008-06-02T15:44:13Z 2008-06-02T16:11:47Z

Story Courtesy Jamie Sterling“There haven’t been this many soldiers flailing in the surf since the invasion of Normandy.” The veteran looked a lot like Sergeant Rock. He was big and tough and had a giant tattoo on his back and...

Red Bull Surfing

Story Courtesy Jamie Sterling

“There haven’t been this many soldiers flailing in the surf since the invasion of Normandy.” The veteran looked a lot like Sergeant Rock. He was big and tough and had a giant tattoo on his back and when you looked up from the tattoo you couldn’t help but see a giant, jagged canyon of a scar that started at the base of his neck, went straight up the back of his shaved skull and then branched off to the left. There was a bad story behind that scar, but the veteran was trying to leave that story behind.

]]>

Everyone within earshot who heard that joke cracked up, and a dozen people cheered as the veteran dragged the surfboard to the water’s edge, flopped down on it and flailed out into the deep and dark blue ocean to bathe his battered brain in the liqueurs or adrenalin and endorphins.

The surf line in front of Tower 12 at Zuma Beach was pretty crowded for a Thursday morning at the end of May, three days after Memorial Day. There were more than 40 people crammed into a hundred yards of breaking waves. About half that number were soldiers, sailors and marines, the veterans of wars from Vietnam to Iraqi Freedom. These veterans had all been injured in some way, and they were brought down to the beach by the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Administration, in a foreword-thinking program to improve their health and their spirits.

Some of these veterans were missing arms and legs. Others couldn’t walk and had to be transported to the edge of the beach in special chairs. Many of the veterans had suffered traumatic brain injuries – shot in the head, or hit by shrapnel – and if you looked close you saw a lot of big, jagged scars on a lot of shaved skulls. Many of these veterans were gung ho Marines and soldiers who had gone to the Middle East to win, and they came back shot up and nearly killed. After months and years in hospitals and rehab, they were glad to get out in the fresh air, in the sun and the chilly water, and get some exercise.

Out in the water were a lot of volunteers who felt good about what they were doing: giving something back to the veterans who had risked their lives. Skylar Lasky Peake of Sicky Dicky was one of the instructors, and he had come to the beach with a truckload of surfboards and wetsuits, towels and booties. Skylar was joined by pro surfers Ken Bradshaw, Garrett MacNamara, Jamie Sterling, Allen Sarlo and Pat and Tanner Gudauskus. These guys were all big-wave surfers, who had done battle with giant waves and showed the kind of charge the machine gun nest courage that the soldiers and Marines could appreciate.

After setting up and introductions and group photos and words from Shaun Tomson about how surfing helped him deal with the loss of his son, everyone hit the water at around 9:30. Those who had both arms for paddling and both legs for standing made it outside of the surf line, where they were pushed into waves and left to fend for themselves.

Those who had lost the use of their arms or their legs were helped onto boards and pushed into waves to enjoy a thrill they never thought they would experience: “I didn’t think the waves would be so fast,” said ????, who had lost the use of his legs in a training accident. “After I was injured I started doing all the things I hadn’t done before, and surfing is one of them. I can ride a bodyboard out there and it’s all the same to me. The water and the exercise just feel good.”

The first surf session lasted for two hours and then everyone came into shore for a lunch provided by Duke’s Restaurant in Malibu. Event organizer Tom Tapp said some words, and introduced big wave surfer Ken Bradshaw who talked about the courage that surfers and soldiers have in common. Newly-elected Malibu city councilman Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner welcomed everyone to Malibu and then everyone raced down to the water’s edge for another two-hour session.

Up on the sand, another Sergeant Rock lookalike was taking a breather. Dirk Ortega was in the Army and training to go to Iraq and put out the oil fires of 1992 when he was injured in a fall from a deuce and a half. He had participated in Operation Amped in the fall of 2007, and it changed his life: “My mom saw me on TV and found out where I was,” Ortega said. “I was pretty messed up for about seven years and lost contact with my family, but my mom found me after seeing me surfing on TV. We met for Mother’s Day and that is all going great. And I bought a 7’ 2” and surf Venice whenever I can. I can’t live without it now.”

]]> Field Set For Red Bull Riders Cup National Shoot-Out tag:www.redbullsurfing.com,2008:/news//2.222 2008-05-30T17:55:55Z 2008-05-30T18:08:52Z

Red Bull Surfing

Carlsbad High beat defending Red Bull Riders Cup National Champions San Dieguito Academy in an overtime thriller today at Seaside Reef. In a competitive game both teams had great overall strategy and teamwork. Most valuable player Brent Reilly scored a 7 in the final minutes of the third period tying the score and sending the game into overtime. ]]>
RBRCSD-MVP-Brent Reilly.jpg

Carlsbad High will join the seven other regional champions at the Red Bull Riders Cup National Championships June 14-15 at San Onofre Trail in San Clemente, California.

Games Scores:
San Diego Game #1
Point Loma High: 53
San Dieguito Academy: 55^ (8:00)
Most Valuable Player: David Suhadolnik, San Dieguito Academy
Most Radical Maneuver: Nate Cintas, Point Loma High
^ indicates game won with time remaining.

San Diego Game #2
Torrey Pines High: 44
Carlsbad High: 48.5
Most Valuable Player: Duran Barr, Carlsbad High
Most Radical Maneuver: Gabe Garcia, Carlsbad High

Final
San Dieguito Academy: 82.5
Carlsbad High: 84
Most Valuable Player: Brent Reilly, Carlsbad High
Most Radical Maneuver: Nik Suhadolnik, San Dieguito Academy

Regional Champions:

Soquel High: Santa Cruz Regional Champions
Jupiter High: South Florida Regional Champions
Satellite High: Central Florida Regional Champions
Carpinteria High: Ventura Regional Champions
Ocean City High: New Jersey Regional Champions
Mira Costa High: South Bay Regional Champions
San Clemente High: Orange County Regional Champions
Carlsbad High: San Diego Regional Champions

National Championship Game Schedule:

Saturday June 14, 2008
8:00am-10:00am       Round 1     (Qtr-Finals) Game 1
10:30am-12:30pm       Round 1     (Qtr-Finals) Game 2
2:00pm-3:45pm       Round 1     (Qtr-Finals) Game 3
4:15pm-6:00pm       Round 1     (Qtr-Finals) Game 4

Sunday June 15, 2008
8:00am-10:00am       Round 2     (Semi-Finals) Game 1
10:45am-12:30pm       Round 2     (Semi-Finals) Game 1
2:00pm-3:45pm       FINAL
4:00pm- 4:30pm       AWARDS]]> Graduation Day: Red Bull Night School Concludes With Resounding Success tag:www.redbullsurfing.com,2008:/news//2.221 2008-05-29T20:50:12Z 2008-05-29T22:06:28Z

Check out some Postcards From Nantucket...and don't forget to take a peek at the Ultra-Super-Fantastic-Mega Red Bull Night School gallery while you're at it.Story By EXPN.com's Jon Coen Several of the best aerialists from North Carolina to Massachusetts stepped off...

Red Bull Surfing

Check out some Postcards From Nantucket...and don't forget to take a peek at the Ultra-Super-Fantastic-Mega Red Bull Night School gallery while you're at it.

Story By EXPN.com's Jon Coen

Several of the best aerialists from North Carolina to Massachusetts stepped off the gangway leading to a cobblestone street, lined with charming storefronts and blossoming cherry trees. The surfers may have looked out of place among Nantucket's old-money crowd with pink collars and tiny dogs (some in strollers), but this was actually the perfect destination. They were met in the parking lot, and shuttled off to a remote beach on the south side of the Island. There they found a tow-at surfer’s paradise—a pair of isolated cedar-shaked houses, a beach with four Red Bull jet-skis just waiting to be launched, and the kind of solitude to master the art of towing without disrupting another surfer for miles. ]]>

For most of the month of May, director of such landmark events as Red Bull’s Icebreak, Project Swell, and Red Bull Night Riders (the stellar tow-at happening under the lights last August, in Atlantic City, NJ) Jack Fleming, was posted up for a complete tow-at training camp. Surfers came for days at a time to hone their skills driving the ski or whipping at chunks of moving water.
   In addition, several Northeast key surf shops’ team riders were invited to learn the art of the tow from the masters.
   “It was such a nice, secluded location,” said Mark Driscoll, owner of Brickhouse Surf Skate Snow, in Marblehead, Massachusetts, who learned how to add amplitude to his fans with help from the jet-ski, “to just have an empty stretch of beach to learn on.”
   For most of the late spring and summer, the Atlantic Coast endures a steady trade wind from the south that blows out conditions, without building new swell. While most of the mainland suffers through it, the flow results in consistent swell to this particular island. Most were accompanied with onshore winds. But after last year’s harrowing Night Riders event in choppy seas, the pros were looking to exact their timing in any conditions.

“When you tow with good drivers, it makes a difference,” added Hammer, “When you have guys that can surf and drive, you pick stuff up from what they’re doing. Just having all that time to train together is so valuable.”
   Virginians Raven Lundy and Lucas Rogers were the first to test the New England waters, even enjoying a bit of a retrograding Nor’easter. Andrew Gesler and Jamie Moran, of Ocean City, New Jersey, soon joined them. Billy Hume and Jeff Myers made the drive all the way from North Carolina, and later, Hammer, Jason Regan, and Randy Townsend, added some Garden State representation.
   “I was just amazed at the talent of those guys,” marveled Driscoll, “when you see it in person, it’s so much more impressive than on photo or film.”
   By mid-month, the compound was in a full swing, with energized sessions in the water by day, and when the surf subsided or the wind blew it out, the crew would head into town to mingle with New England’s society elite.
   On one such outing, the boys collected some local “leisurewear” from a thrift shop. That afternoon, Andrew Gesler donned a pair of golf pants, pink polo shirt, and sailing jacket, while Billy Hume snazzed himself up in an argyle sweater and nautical hat. They then pushed out through the break for the first ever “tea time tow-at.”

The relentless breeze finally laid down on the morning of May 21st, as head high lumps rolled into the sandbar in front of the compound. While it even made for some good paddling in, it was prime for hucking huge punts and throwing big chunks. Gesler, Hammer, Regan, Hume, Myers, and Townsend took full advantage, really getting the act wired and doing arguably some of the biggest ski-assisted airs north of Florida, ever.
   Though the boys have yet to learn the difference between a shrimp fork and a salad fork, they have seriously tightened their skills and will be well prepared for the second annual Night Riders event coming to Atlantic City on August 15th.

Night School Surf Shop Participants:

Liquid Dreams                            Pioneers Board Shop
Trevor Fitzgerald                        Steve O'Hara
Scott Drake                               Mike Stanek
Natty Graham
Sam Boardman

Cinnamon Rainbows               Brickhouse Surf, Skate and Snow
Sashi Lyford                                  Mark Driscol
Doug Wright                                  Jamie Hosker

7 Ply                                             Zapstix
Greg Levy                                     Mike Paugh
Jamie Risser                                 Adam Coates

Still in search of a higher education? Don't miss Red Bull's Art of the Can exhibit.
]]> 10 Years In The Making, Dungeons Welcomes Red Bull Big Wave Africa Home tag:www.redbullsurfing.com,2008:/news//2.220 2008-05-28T14:35:56Z 2008-05-28T14:52:19Z

Red Bull Surfing

After a nine-year on-off relationship, Red Bull BWA and Dungeons are about to embark on their celebratory ten-year anniversary in true big wave style. Having grown into one of the world's longest running and most respected big wave paddle-in competitions, the event has kept its ardent followers in awe for years, and plans on making year ten the best yet - providing Neptune steps up to the plate as he already has with the recent solid, clean early Winter swells. ]]> Due to the location of Dungeons being so far south and a significant trip for traveling surfers, Red Bull has decided to revisit its original format of inviting all the competitors to come spend five weeks in Cape Town. Opening the window for three months as in the past runs the risk that the international contingency might not be in town when the contest goes green.

This decision has been given the thumbs up by the invitees, as they love the camaraderie that has been created over the years. The world class list of 24 surfers, broken down into twelve locals and twelve internationals, will be announced shortly.

Co-contest directors Gary Linden (USA) and Jonathan Paarman (SA) are keeping in close contact with organizers leading up to the opening of the waiting period on the 24th July. Both are legendary watermen in their own rights and are as excited as the surfers themselves in the run up to one of the local and international surfing calendars' most anticipated events.

"Through the passing time, Red Bull Big Wave Africa has become more of a state of mind to me," said Gary on the upcoming event. "Talented individuals pushing each other towards the common goal of riding Dungeons has produced some of the world1s top big wave surfers. I expect something very special will occur this year, so be ready!"

Johnny was equally upbeat about this year's event. "This year has started off with great swell, and the right swell direction, so hopefully this will hold through for Red Bull BWA," said Johnny. "I feel that big wave surfing in South Africa would not be where it is today without Red Bull being so involved and interested in the growth of the sport. Going back to the old format is definitely the way to go - the extended time spent by these elite surfers in Cape Town has always given this special event its own unique edge."

This year the event has so much more to offer anyone interested in watching and tracking the event, but this will all be revealed when www.redbullbwa.com goes live on the 17 July 2008.

Past Winners

2000 Sean Holmes

2003 Greg Long

2006 John Whittle

And if you're still in search of more adrenaline fueled events, come fly along with Red Bull Flugtag...
]]> For Julian Wilson, One Good Turn Deserves Another tag:www.redbullsurfing.com,2008:/news//2.218 2008-05-28T00:00:39Z 2008-05-28T00:17:13Z

Red Bull Surfing

The young new-school talent of Julian Wilson prevailed in the third edition of The O’Neill Mission. The edited video he put together of his highlights of the week to be judged, featured endless aerials, 360s, and even included a new-school rap soundtrack.

“I’m so blown away right now,” Julian said. “It’s been such a good week. We have made the best out of all the conditions we faced in France. I want to thank O’Neill for putting on such a good event.”

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“I’ve been looking up to these guys since I was young,” Julian said. “I was just so excited to be invited to spend the week surfing with them.”

Julian Wilson was also voted the winner of the Amph Progression Award by his peers, winning 2,000Euros for his relentless energy pushing the boundaries of tricks in the surf.

In a Mission-first, two surfers found themselves in equal second place. O’Neill Highland Open winner, Adam Robertson, as well as former WCT giant Cory Lopez shared the honors.

“It’s been an awesome week,” said Cory. “I was so stoked to come here. And I am so happy for Julian. He has been surfing amazingly all week.”

Adam Robertson, in addition to finishing in joint second place, also won the first ever ‘Spirit of the Mission’ award, for embracing spirit of adventure of The Mission in its entirety.

“To get second here is amazing,” Adam said. “I didn’t even know I was going to come here until two weeks before so I hadn’t set myself any expectations. I am happy for Julian. He is a great guy and a great surfer,” he said.

Always the first to run into the water no matter what the conditions, Adam said: “It’s nice that O’Neill recognized that I was surfing hard and having a lot of fun.”

The award ceremony took place in the campsite in Les Landes in front of all who participated on The Mission, after the surfers had edited their highlights of the week and voted on every one else’s videos.

Behind Julian, Adam and Cory came Tim Boal in fourth, Justin Mujica in fifth and Hugo Savalli – who even attempted Julian’s signature Sushi Roll move - in sixth. Last year’s winner of The Mission, Michel Bourez finished in seventh and was followed by Jarrad Howse in eighth and Ian Walsh in ninth place.

The O’Neill Mission 2008 ended its journey through France in Les Landes – travelling several hundred kilometers down the coast from Brittany after reports indicated that the south west of France was going to be picking up the best of the swell on Sunday.

The reports were right, and the nine surfers scored an uncrowded secret spot of Les Landes in front of the sand dunes and pine trees, giving it their all on the final day.

Cory Lopez was among those who pushed himself in every possible way on the final morning.

“I have seen how well Julian has been surfing all week,” said Cory. “I just wanted to get in there and go for it if I was going to have a chance to win this. It was the best surf conditions we have had on The Mission so far, but I was so glad to also have got the chance to go up north and explore some of the coast I have never seen before.”

Matt Wilson, the O’Neill Mission contest director also reflected the same sentiments saying; “We got the best waves in France this week. Although the conditions were not always perfect we fully embraced the spirit of adventure over the course of the week.”

Travelling thousands of kilometers to explore new waves and coastline throughout France, while witnessing some of the most dynamic surfing from around the planet… this was The O’Neill Mission 2008.

The Surfers:

1   Ian Walsh            USA
2   Michel Bourez       TAH
3   Jarrad Howse         AUS
4   Julian Wilson       AUS
5   Justin Mujica       POR
6   Cory Lopez            USA
7   Tim Boal                FRA
8   Hugo Savalli           REU
9   t.b.c.
10   Winner O’Neill Highland Open by Swatch

Program Schedule

17 May       Arrival & Kick-Off, Anglet
18 May       First surfing day in the Basque Country/Les Landes
19 – 25 May   Travel & surf the French Coast from Biarritz to Brittany
25 May       Judging Session, Prizegiving & Closing Party – wherever we are!

]]> RIDER CUP UPDATE: SAN CLEMENTE HIGH WINS IN HUNTINGTON tag:www.redbullsurfing.com,2008:/news//2.217 2008-05-27T18:32:41Z 2008-05-27T18:43:02Z

Red Bull Surfing

Heavy storms brought the final day of Red Bull Riders Cup in Huntington Beach, California. Huntington Beach High School was strong again this season and proved the team to beat but San Clemente High came on strong becoming this years regional champions.

In the final game it was San Clemente High taking on last years regional champs, Huntington Beach High School. With coaching help from WQS #1 Pat Gudauskas and brothers Dane and Tanner, San Clemente High opened the first period with unbelievable surfing and team work. Returning champions, Huntington Beach High School were determined to defend their regional title with coaching help from WQS #5 Brett Simpson.
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San Clemente High will head to San Onofre State Beach in San Clemente, California for the national championships on June 14-15. Next up: Red Bull Riders Cup regional games travel to Seaside Reef, San Diego on May 27-29. The schools in the San Diego region include Carlsbad High, San Dieguito Academy, Torrey Pines High, and Point Loma High.

Games Scores:

Game #1
San Clemente High School: 59.5
Newport High: 46
Most Valuable Player – Riley Metcalf, San Clemente High School
Most Radical Maneuver – Chase Brady, San Clemente High School

Game #2
Edison High School: 60
Huntington Beach High: 61^ (2:05)
Most Valuable Player – Matt Mc Mullen, Huntington Beach High School
Most Radical Maneuver - Kyle Kennelly, Huntington Beach High School
^ indicates game won with time remaining.

Final
San Clemente High: 66.5
Huntington Beach High School: 63.5
Most Valuable Player – David Price, San Clemente High School
Most Radical Maneuver – David Price, San Clemente High School

Competition Schedule: (West Coast start time: 4:00pm)

April 7-10        Santa Cruz Regional Champions - Soquel High School
April 15-17    South Florida Regional Champions-Jupiter High School
April 22-24      Central Florida Regional Champions- Satellite High
May 6-8          Ventura Regional Champions- Carpinteria High
May 13-15       New Jersey Regional Champions-Ocean City High School
May 20-22       Orange County Regional Champions- San Clemente High School
May 27-29       California-San Diego-Seaside Reef
June 14-15      Regional Championships-CA, San Clemente-San Onofre Trail 6

]]> O Brother, Where Art Thou? tag:www.redbullsurfing.com,2008:/news//2.211 2008-05-23T01:54:04Z 2008-05-23T02:07:09Z

Red Bull Surfing

After a blistering performance at the 2008 NSSA Western Championships, an event in which he won both the Open Men's and Junior division in classic south swell conditions at the famed Huntington Beach, Kolohe "Brother" Andino is now setting his sights on the international arena. Departing today, along with the rest of the USA Surf Team, for the 2008 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships in Hossegor, France, Brother's already proven to be a key player on the squad, and if his recent results are any indication of things to come, the rest of the world better check themselves. The dynamic 15-year-old already has more national titles than his mantle can hold, but bringing home the gold for America would be especially sweet. "It would cool to win a gold medal," he remarked at the team's send-off luncheon earlier this week. "It's one thing to win for yourself, it's another represent your country and be part of a team. This might be the best team America's had in a long time, and I'm proud just to be part of it." Stay tuned, the contest gets underway on May 24th, we'll keep you updated. ]]> After Hours At Red Bull Night School tag:www.redbullsurfing.com,2008:/news//2.206 2008-05-21T05:23:01Z 2008-05-21T05:29:56Z

Red Bull Surfing

We had a crazy weekend here in Nantucket as Red Bull Night School keeps on keepin' on. The last weekend before all the tourists come starting Memorial day. The boys ripped it up on land and sea. The ocean was the playground during the day and The Chicken Box was the playground at night. There was a bit of business though. The business of getting some air and not letting the relentless winds get the boys down. Funny how you look out at windblown crap and finally motivate to go out to only find you definitely come in with a smile. The crew made the best of it. Mike Paugh and Adam Coates from Zapstix Surf Shop made it out do some Victory at Sea towing and killed it. Raven Lundy and Lucas made the journey back south and Andrew Gesler and Jamie Moran stepped in.

Check out the shots. ]]> OCEAN CITY HIGH SCHOOL CONTINUE TO REIGN AS RED BULL RIDERS CUP REGIONAL CHAMPS tag:www.redbullsurfing.com,2008:/news//2.203 2008-05-19T14:44:40Z 2008-05-19T15:00:10Z

Red Bull Surfing RIDERSCUPNJ5.16.jpg

Ocean City, New Jersey – (May 16, 2008) –The Red Bull Riders Cup literally stormed into Ocean City, New Jersey this week with some of the best swells to hit the games this season. The local favorites, Ocean City High School, were strong again this season and proved the team to beat from the very first game on Tuesday where they thrashed Southern Region High School.

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RIDERSCUP25.16.jpg

n the second period, Ocean City’s supreme teamwork and high-class surfing by the Kelly brothers helped them build on their lead. Manasquan tried desperately to bridge the gap late in the second period by taking a time-out with only 10 seconds remaining but couldn’t close the gap and ended the period trailing by 8.1 points.

Not even a broken tail on Rob Kelly’s board late in the third period could slow the Ocean City team down and they again posted high scores leaving Manasquan a big total to chase in the bottom of the third period. Manasquan put on a good show with Brendon Buckley throwing some huge aerials in an attempt to over take Ocean City, but it wasn’t enough.

Ocean City High Schools wins the Red Bull Riders Cup New Jersey regional title and is heading to San Clemente, California for the national championships on June 14-15.

Next up: Red Bull Riders Cup regional games travel cross-country to Huntington Beach on May 20-22. The schools in the Orange County region include Edison High, Huntington Beach High, Newport Harbor High, and San Clemente High.

New Jersey Game #1
Ocean City High School: 65.3
Southern Regional High: 39.9
Most Valuable Player: Rob Kelly, Ocean City High School
Most Radical Maneuver: Rob Kelly, Ocean City High School

New Jersey Game #2
Middle Township High: 43.6
Manasquan High: 44.7^ (9:10)
Most Valuable Player: Brandon Buckley, Manasquan High
Most Radical Maneuver: Brandon Buckley, Manasquan High
^ indicates game won with time remaining.

New Jersey Game #3
Regional Finals
Ocean City High School:65.7
Manasquan High: 53.9
Most Valuable Player: Rob Kelly, Ocean City High School
Most Radical Maneuver: Brendon Buckley, Manasquan High

Competition Schedule: (West Coast start time: 4:00pm)

April 7-10      Santa Cruz Regional Champions - Soquel High School
April 15-17    South Florida Regional Champions-Jupiter High School
April 22-24    Central Florida Regional Champions- Satellite High
May 6-8        Ventura Regional Champions- Carpinteria High
May 13-15    New Jersey Regional Champions-Ocean City High School
May 20-22    California-Orange County - Huntington Beach Pier
May 27-29    California-San Diego-Seaside Reef
June 14-15        Regional Championships-CA, San Clemente-San Onofre Trail 6

Also, if you think you've got wings sign up for Red Bull Flugtag...coming to Chicago, Portland and Tampa this summer.
]]> Night School: Update From the Man in Nantuckett tag:www.redbullsurfing.com,2008:/news//2.199 2008-05-16T16:11:43Z 2008-05-16T16:33:51Z

Red Bull Surfing

Well, sorry guys. We have been so busy towing from sun up to sunset that we missed a blog. The boys didn't stop and the improvement was great. Sore, tired, banged up but all smiles the Liquid Dreams, Pioneers and Cinnamon Rainbow teams headed back north. Lucas Rogers and Raven Lundy have been non-stop as well. When they aren't coaching they are practicing what they preach. Going Big!

Today the Brickhouse Surf Shop guys come in. Andrew Gesler and Jamie Moran (the Defending Champs of the Red Bull Night Riders 07) have arrived and are looking to train for this years event as well as joining raven and Lucas in working with the shops.

The waves are very small today ( it's amazing how these guys find waves to ramp off even when it looks flat) but it is predicted to come up over the weekend.

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