Sean Holmes : photo courtesy Redbullbwa.com

Late News Flash: Red Bull Big Wave Africa officially goes on Amber Alert

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 25 July, 2006 : - - Red Bull Big Wave Africa has been put on 48-hour Amber Alert for the possible running of the contest on Thursday, 27 July 2006. As surfers from around the world are jetting in to join the local contingent, the storm which has organizers and surf forecasters alert continues to hold steady, as giant waves are predicted.

The predicted swell is a solid 15- 18 foot West South West groundswell running at first light on Thursday, with pounding sets frequently rising towards the 20-foot mark during the day. This swell, combined with a few other positive factors, could cause the waves to really show what Dungeons is truly capable of producing as the swell builds in the hopes of running the contest.

Other positive factors are that there are two swells combining on the Thursday, forming an extra push of energy. There is a spring tide mergeing with a growing swell, meaning that the waves are going to get bigger and bigger. The winds are predicted to be out of the north, and fairly light all day, ideal conditions for the waves at Dungeons.

A visual check of Dungeons will be made from the Sentinel and from the water at first light. Officials will make a call before 8am. Either way, Dungeons will be surfed on Thursday. If the event is not run, it is likely that it will remain on standby for Friday morning when conditions still look good enough for a possible start.

Surfers from around the world who are making their way to Hout Bay in Cape Town right now are Grant Washburn and Evan Slater from the USA. Former event winner Greg Long from America is already in Cape Town and has been practicing in the chilly waters the last couple of weeks. Australian big wave surfers Ross Clarke-Jones and Paul Paterson are also on their way with their big boards in tow. Jamie Sterling, the young hell-kid from Hawaii and Carlos Burle from Brazil are on their way as well. We are standing by for confirmations from Anthony Tashnick (Northern California) and Darryl ‘Flea’ Virostko, (Northern California.)

Local surfers Mickey Duffus, Sean Holmes, Jason Ribbink, Twiggy Baker and John Whittle are either already present or are on their way to Cape Town right now. Chris Bertish is winging his way right now from the UK, and the rest of the local crew are present and accounted for. Alternate surfers are also on stand-by, and some are in Hout Bay already, awaiting a chance to compete against the best big wave surfers in the world.

This is the eighth edition of the Red Bull Big Wave Africa, the second longest running big wave surfing event in the world.

For updates and info on the Red Bull Big Wave Africa, as well as constantly updated info on the approaching storm and swell log onto www.redbullbwa.com

AM Report: Big Wave Africa banks on 'nicest storm'

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 25 July, 2006 : - - An elite group of international and local big wave surfers are hoping this year's Red Bull Big Wave Africa surfing competition will kick off at Dungeons near Hout Bay on Wednesday or Thursday. The competition starts once all the right "weather factors" are in place for large waves.

"We haven't seen many storms this year, so the waves weren't big enough, but this is definitely one of the nicest storms we have seen in a while," said competition organiser Jonathan Paarman yesterday. Paarman said that with the window period ending on August 13, there was a "strong possibility" the competition would start this week.

This is the first year organisers have had a four-month window period in which to kickstart the competition. It had been extended from a 21-day period. Paarman said the extension had been to "find the right day". Organisers and surfers are expecting nothing less than five-metre waves.

Eighteen of the best local and international surfers will be competing for the R150 000 first prize and the prestigious champion title. Paarman said 20 alternate surfers had also been invited in case some of the invitees do not make it.
Surfers are told the competition is on only 48 hours before the actual start.

Read the full report at IOL.co.za


Previous reports:
# 1 : Red Bull Big Wave Africa waiting period starts Monday
# 2 : Red Bull Big Wave Africa announces Specialty Awards
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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Taryn Cheadle
Red Bull Communications
Email: tcheadle@jmc.co.za

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