PHASE 1 - OPENING OF APPLICATIONS ON AUGUST
1 August 1 - August 29, 2019
The Young Guns Surf is open to all surfers under 18 years of age (and over 13 on August, 1st). To take part, simply post your best clip on Instagram and tag @quiksilver along with the hashtag #YGSurfContest. All applications will be analyzed and dissected by an international jury made up of Mikey Wright, Zekke Lau and Kanoa Igarashi. Their selection will be based on three criteria: technique, creativity and flow.
At the end of this first step, eight young surfers will be picked. The names of the lucky eight will be posted on September 5 on Quiksilver's website and social platforms. https://quiksilver.com/surf/events/young-guns-surf/?geopopup=false Each video posted may contain a single wave or an edit of several tricks. The only rule is that the total duration must not exceed 60 seconds! The author of the most creative video will receive $1,000.
PHASE 2 - THE PUBLIC VOTE!
September 5 to 10
From September 5 to 10, the eight finalists will be featured on @quiksilver's Insta stories. The public will vote for its favorite surfer via a poll built into Instagram. The Grom with the most votes will qualify for the final. The other three candidates will be selected by Mikey Wright, Zekke Lau and Kanoa Igarashi.
PHASE 3 - THE FINAL
The four young Guns selected will fly to Portugal. The final will take place from November 1 to 8, 2019 at Ericeira, Portugal. Quiksilver will broadcast the final on social and post a recap video so that you can enjoy the experience as if you were right there in Portugal with us.
THE JUDGES
Tiago Pires
The first Portuguese man to join the world elite, Tiago Pires is a legend. The 39-year-old Lisbon-born surfer ended his professional career in 2015 after spending eight years on the CT. Despite of that, "Saca", as he is nicknamed, tirelessly continues to surf, with a special affection for the waves of Ericeira, a place that he loves more than any other.
Kanoa Igarashi
Kanoa Igarashi is a phenomenon. Thrust onto the CT at 18 years old, he made an impression when he caused problems for the highly experienced Michel Bourez at the Billabong Pipe Masters 2016 where he finished in second place. When he won the Corona Bali Protected last May aged 21, Kanoa became the first Japanese man to win an event on the Tour.
Mikey Wright
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree! The brother of Owen and Tyler - world champion in 2016 and 2017 - it's now the turn of Australian Mikey Wright to make his mark on the pro circuit. On the podium last year both in Bali and at Margaret River, he is confidently following in the footsteps of his illustrious older brothers. Currently out with a back injury after a spectacular fall at Pipeline, he is hoping to be able to get back to competiting very soon and once again get people talking about his explosive style.
Zekke Lau
Although his route to the top has been full of pitfalls, Zekke Lau has always confronted these head on. On the podium at Bells Beach in 2017 and Rio in 2018, he tirelessly continues to demonstrate his powerful surfing style on some of the most beautiful waves in the world with one and only goal in mind: to become world champion!