Big Wave Africa number 10
3 June 2008
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 10 the best yet - providing Neptune steps up to the plate as he already has with the recent solid, clean early Winter swells.
Original format
Due to the location of Dungeons, being so far south and a significant trip for travelling 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 contingent 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 12 locals and 12 internationals, will be announced shortly.
Co-contest directors Gary Linden (USA) and Jonathan Paarman (SA) are keeping in close contact with the organisers leading up to the opening of the waiting period on the 24th July.
Both are legendary watermen in their own right and are as excited as the surfers themselves in the run up to one of the local and international surfing calendars' most anticipated events.
'Something very special'
"Through the passing time, Red Bull Big Wave Africa has become more of a state of mind to me," said Linden on the upcoming event.
"Talented individuals pushing each other towards the common goal of riding Dungeons have produced some of the world's top big wave surfers. I expect something very special will occur this year, so be ready!"
Paarman 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," he said.
"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."
The 2008 event will be covered on the Red Bull Big Wave Africa website, which goes live on 17 July.
Past winners
- 2000 Sean Holmes RSA
- 2003 Greg Long USA
- 2006 John Whittle RSA
Source: Red Bull Big Wave Africa
