Rip Curl Padang Cup back on in 2022

Rip Curl Padang Cup back on in 2022

After a long two-year pandemic-forced hiatus, the World Surf League and Rip Curl have announced that the 16th annual Rip Curl Cup is back ON, and for 2022 it not only provides the perfect forum for 8 of the world’s best international tube riders to challenge themselves against the best barrel on this side of the planet, but welcomes in a new trials format that will decide which 8 locals from a mix of Bali’s legends and past champions to up-and-coming tube riders including the first local female invitee will join those 8 internationals.

“WSL is extremely excited for this year’s Rip Curl Cup at Padang Padang in Indonesia.We are thrilled to be working with Rip Curl on this specialty event again in 2022,” said Ty Sorati, WSL Tour Manager-Asia Pacific. “This event is so unique because it will only run on the biggest and best swell during the window meaning it is guaranteed to see perfect barrels for the competition day. We can’t wait to see some of the world’s best tube riders and Indonesia’s finest do battle at one of the world’s most mystical waves.”

The 16 invited tube-riding specialists will be standing by during the month of August in anticipation of paddling out during the most perfect swell and tide conditions and showing the global surfing audience how to master the hallowed Padang-Padang pits. Rip Curl Indonesia’s Event Manager Ribut Wahyudi alongside Rip Curl Indonesia’s Contest Director James Hendy will be eying the charts each day, reading the tea leaves and analyzing all the probabilities, ready to call the Rip Curl Cup ON when the conditions for the perfect Padang Padang swell materialize.

“Seeing the best Tube Riders in the world face off against Indonesia’s best talent once again at the Balinese Pipeline after a two year hiatus is something we have all been dreaming of,” said Contest Director James Hendy. “We are grateful to the local surfing community and regional Government for allowing the tradition to continue and look forward to seeing everyone at the Opening Ceremony at Padang Beach on Sunday July 31st “.

The Rip Curl Cup Trials this year will see a significant change in format for the selection process of the 8 locals that will be in the Main event’s field of 16. In previous years the top 4 finalists from the Trials and the top 4 from the last year’s Main event that joined the 8 hand-picked internationals to make up the final field, but this year brings an evolutionary departure to the Trials event format.

Among the world’s best barrel riders confirmed to represent Indonesia are Taina Angel Izquierdo, the only woman in the trials’ heat draw this year. “Growing up, every single year since a very young age, I’ve always been around the Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang event watching it and feeling how special and magical of an event it is,” said Taina Angel. “When I got the invitation to surf in the trials this year, I just felt so in awe. So honored and grateful. To be an Indonesian female surfer competing against some of my favorite surfers in not just any surf spot but, Padang Padang? Wow, truly it’s a dream come true,” she added.

32 Indonesian locals have been invited to the Trials, same as in years past, but in the water, it will be anything but the usual… Here is how it will happen:

Round Robin, Non-Elimination 8 Man Heats
8 One Hour Heats
No Priority
Each surfer will surf twice, with his/her best two waves counting towards their overall total (20 out of 20 is the maximum score possible)
The top 8 Surfers with the Highest Total Heat Scores will advance into the Main event
Surfer with the Highest Overall Heat Total from their combined two wave scores will be the Rip Curl Cup Padang-Padang Trials Champion 2022.

Ensuring that the 2022 Rip Curl Cup is exposed to the frothing global surfing audience is a renewed partnership with the World Surf League, who for the 5th time are sanctioning the Rip Curl Cup as a Specialty Event.

The Rip Curl Cup Trials waiting period is already underway, and as of this writing it may be called ON in the window of July 26-29 if the current swell prediction become a reality.

RIP CURL CUP PADANG PADANG 2022 EVENT SCHEDULE:

Event Waiting Period
August 1st – 31st

Rip Curl Planet Beach Cleanup
Friday, July 29th at 8 AM, Padang Padang Beach, Bali

Opening Ceremony
Sunday, July 31st at 3 PM, Padang Padang Beach, Bali
1. Meet the surfers
2. Press conference
3. Traditional Balinese Kecak Dance

English Open Adaptive Surfing

English Open Adaptive Surfing

It was a privilege to spend the day at the Surfing England Adaptive Surf Open Comp hosted by The Wave Bristol. What an event and honour it was to not only spend a few days with these athletes but to share some waves and listen to some incredible stories. – Scott Mitchell

Richard Monk Paddle Out/Tribute

Richard Monk Paddle Out/Tribute

The South West Surf community has lost a legend with the sudden passing of Richard Monk, owner of Saltcity Surf Shop, Fore Street, Exeter. Our thoughts go out to his family at this difficult time.

News of Rich’s passing has hit hard, as the torrent of tributes currently on the Saltcity Facebook page shows, Rich was dearly loved, a friend, fellow surfer and confidant to so many and will be sorely missed. A paddle out to honour his memory at one of his local breaks, Dawlish Warren, has been arranged for 7.30 am this Saturday July the 23rd.

A recent post on the Facebook page read’s as follows
“He was at the heart of life on Fore street Exeter, with his shop Ocean Blue / Saltcity kitting out surfers for over 30 years, but he was more than a shop keeper, a son, brother, father, friend and neighbour. He was always kind and supportive to so many of us. We would love to invite everyone far and wide to take a moment on Saturday 23rd July 2022 to say goodbye to Rich.”

Some of the tributes left on the Facebook page include:
“I am at a total loss to this recent post, about a great man. Deepest heart felt condolences to the family. Rip man. You will be sorely missed for Sure!!!

“In total shock Ritchie Monk, the most chilled out, kindest, thoughtful man I’ve met. So glad we got to spend some time together. I’ll cherish every minute of it and be so sad I won’t get to do it again. You were loved by so many.”

“I am going to miss him so much, his flip flops, his rainy day discounts, his spirit, his friendship. We love you Rich, Monkey, SaltCity dude… xxx.”

And let’s not forget his legendary hugs!

RIP Rich.

Details of the paddle out can be found on the Saltcity Facebook page Saltcity Surf Shop

Paddle out for Rich this Saturday morning
23rd July – Dawlish Warren Beach

A Celebration of Life for Richard Monk.

There will be a community paddle out / traditional surfers send off at Dawlish Warren

Morning of Saturday 23rd July 2022

• 07:30 AM – meet in car park as per map and walk up to beach
• 08:00 AM – paddle out from beach to form circle
• 08:30 AM – let the flowers go into water

On the day:
We will paddle out and make a big circle sitting on our boards /paddleboards etc. This will be our opportunity to share a few memories, thoughts, moments of silence. Then we’ll break rank give big cheers and splash water in a way that he will be would be stoked about.

If you want to bring a flower to lay in the sea these will be collected in a bucket(s) on the beach, and this will be brought out into the circle once in place.

After the paddle out there will be time to share memories on the beach with everyone. Why not have your breakfast on the beach? There’s a cafe nearby if you want it.

Can’t make it to the Warren or have an alternate location where you would like to remember Rich? Such as your local break. Please join us in this celebration of his life at the same time.

Let’s send our kindness and love back to him. Share it with those around us like Rich did in the waves! Feel free to post some pictures afterwards.

 

**Please note!
We will be entering the sea. Only do so if you are comfortable and at your own risk. There are currents and potentially swell. Only enter the water if you are a competent / confident swimmer. We ask you to only paddle out only as far as you feel comfortable. Circles can be linked to the shore if required. You all know your own abilities. Please wear appropriate safety gear, leashes etc.

Click Here For More Info
People Watching

People Watching

Sailing the length of the Mentawai Island chain sits atop every surfer’s bucket list and so, with the world slowly reopening its borders, we figured it was high time we rounded up a crew of our favourite salt water athletes and granted them their ultimate wish.

Red Bull assembled a roster of surfers from all generations and headed to Indonesia in search of tubes and perfection. Headlined by 2015 world champion Adriano de Souza and current Championship Tour star Caroline Marks, we enlisted young guns Jarvis Earle, Leon Glatzer and Dimitri Poulos, teamed them up with heavy water specialists Conor Maguire and Natxo Gonzalez, threw multi-sport weapon Izzi Gomez in the mix then let local superstar Bronson Meydi show them all how it’s done on his turf.

Rather than shooting regular hifi surf porn we had The Marcs take the tiller to let the tape roll on another episode of “People Watching”. Come for the crazy action, stay for the subtle moments in-between. From Adriano’s wild opening Greenbush beast through to classic Macaronis and an all-time Hollow Trees session that will leave you begging for more the surfing doesn’t let up, but neither does the sea sickness, the down day chatter, and the candid reflections on life lived on the ocean.

Welcome aboard your new favourite 19-day surf bender as our team hops, skips and punts their way across everything the Mentawai Islands have on tap. This is “People Watching”, enjoy.

Surf’s Up Scotland

Surf’s Up Scotland

Major construction work at Scotland’s newest leisure and staycation facility, Wavegarden Scotland, got underway today in Ratho, near Edinburgh. The £55m landmark development will include the country’s first inland surfing destination using revolutionary new technology.

The Wavegarden Scotland development is expected to open to the public in Summer 2024 – boosting long term socio-economic, recreational and tourism benefits including creating up to 130 jobs once open, generating up to £11m for the local economy and attracting over 180,000 visitors each year.

The family-friendly park will feature a surf school and overnight accommodation and will for the first time give Scottish surfers the opportunity to train at home all year round and improve their chances of competing at major events, including the Olympics.

The development will use the latest wave generation technology called the Wavegarden Cove, developed by Wavegarden in Spain. The site will host surfers of all abilities who can ride the 1,000 bespoke ocean-like waves created per hour.

Set within a 60-acre country park, the new destination will offer waterside accommodation for all needs, including families, surfers and international visitors, through luxury lodges, glamping pods, accessible wave pods, bothies and canal berths.

Wavegarden Scotland will also be home to The HUB, with facilities including a waterfront restaurant and food market, retail outlets, a surf school, a wellness spa, and a number viewing terraces overlooking the surf. Lothian-based company, Rogue Village will develop a dynamic programme of events and create a unique food destination.

Andy Hadden, Founder of Tartan Leisure Ltd which is developing Wavegarden Scotland said:
“It has taken many years of hard work and collaboration to get to this point and we could not be happier to see work begin on the country’s first surf park. This is a special moment for all the team and marks a major milestone in our journey to creating this extraordinary leisure and staycation attraction for Scotland.”

VisitScotland Regional Director Neil Christison said: “It is fantastic to see innovative investment such as this into the tourism product for Edinburgh and the surrounding area. This unique development will make an impressive addition to the tourism offering in Scotland as a whole, creating jobs and supporting the continued recovery of this vital part of our economy. We look forward to working with the Wavegarden Scotland team as the development continues.

“VisitScotland is committed to championing change to shape the responsible growth of Scotland’s valuable tourism and events industry in a way that respects people and places.”

This new surf destination will include a whole raft of new Wavegarden technology, including improved air and tube riding sections, as well as Waikiki and Malibu waves which break in the reef areas for the beginners.

Wavegarden has witnessed extremely high growth in the surf park sector with more than 60 projects currently in development across the globe, 7 facilities operating successfully and 7 projects currently under construction across 4 continents, proving the growing global appetite for surfing and its many physical and mental health benefits.

Fernando Odriozola, Wavegarden’s Chief Commercial Officer added: “The project in Scotland is progressing and reinforces the confidence our clients and the market has in our leading technology.”

Wedge Goes Code Red

Wedge Goes Code Red

Code red hits The Wedge! A fun couple of days thats for sure. Big waves up and down the coast of California. This is the morning of July 19th, some big sets but the smaller ones were the cleanest, enjoy!

Surfers and Bodyboarders: Sage Burke, Zach Levine, Tanner McDaniel, Craig Whetter, Dylan Graves, Tyler Stanaland, Ty Burgess, Tyler Thornsley and many more!