RED Bull Cape Fear, the one-of-a-kind invitation-only big wave surfing competition, has been called on - meaning the event will kick-off on Monday at at Shipstern Bluff in Tasmania.
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The best local and international thrill-seeking slab surfers including Aussie legend Mick Fanning and 2016 defending champion Russell Bierke, from Ulladulla, have only a few days to make their way to Tasmania's Shipstern Bluff to compete.
Mark Mathews, event co-owner and one of the world's most committed heavy-water surfers, will also now be competing in the big wave competition.
This will be his first time competing in a big wave surfing event since his injury in October 2016 when he was told his surfing career was over.
Red Bull Cape Fear by numbers
- 20 invited surfers, including both Tasmanian locals who frequent the location, other key Australian surfers and international professional surfers.
- Triple-overhead waves, measuring up to 20-feet in height.
- 27 Olympic pools worth of water breaks over a shallow reef.
- Waves breaking 10 meters from the rocks of Shipstern Bluff.
- Surfers towed in at speeds up to 50km/h .
- One of the most difficult waves in the world, first surfed in the early 2000s.
- 30km boat ride to get to Shipstern Bluff or a multiple hour trek
Three-time world champion and invited surfer, Mick Fanning, has surfed Shipstern Bluff during a large swell in 2015.
"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 and I'm going to relish the challenge."
Joining Bierke and Fanning in the invited surfers pool are Pedro Scooby (Brazil), Daniel Griffiths (Tasmania), Michael Brennan (Tasmania), Laurie Towner (Australia), Shaun Wallbank (Tasmania), Zebulon Critchlow (Tasmania), Mark Mathews (Australia), Ryan Hipwood (Australia), James McKean (Tasmania), Brook Phillips (Tasmania), Justen 'Jughead' Allport (Australia), Nathan Florence (United States), James Hollmer-Cross (Tasmania), Marti Paradisis (Tasmania), Billy Kemper (United States), Tyler Hollmer-Cross (Tasmania) and Alex Zawadzki (Tasmania).
The entire competition will be broadcast live and free at Red Bull TV: www.redbull.tv/capefear
