To include everything we've always wanted!
We have now had days to digest Red Bull’s Cape Fear (aka Savages of the East) event and what do you think, removed from its adrenalized rush? Did you hang on every meaty wipeout? Did you thrill at the finish? Would you go and surf Cape Solander if you could?
But let’s talk about the quality of the production, very quickly. It was good, no? The cameras, angles, etc. were very much better than a typical World Surf League event no matter how you felt about the surfing (Matt Warshaw brilliantly says he doesn’t like surfers turned into cannon fodder). The highlights packages that have come out very much better too.
Of course it is really not fair to compare the two. The WSL has many events in many countries with many more moving parts. Red Bull had all year to prepare for one day which accidentally turned into two.
Still. Almost everything about Cape Fear was better, production-wise.
So what if Red Bull launched the rebel tour we’ve all been waiting for?
Let me be clear, the source of this rumor is me! I am starting it with the hopes that it actually becomes true because just think…
It could start small, six stops maybe and would include only enough surfers to finish in one swell. A two day event! It would be based upon actual swells too, not arbitrary windows, and would not include Rio!
Every part of it could be voted on, from the stops to the surfers. Or not! Red Bull could choose. Or maybe BeachGrit! Not The Inertia. They wouldn’t even be allowed to cover it upon threat of massive lawsuit/death.
Wouldn’t you like to see Dane Reynolds vs. Craig Anderson? Neco Padaratz vs. Occy? Zoltan Torkos vs. Rob Machado? Laird Hamilton vs. Nick Carroll?
Oh, it’d be a gambler’s dream and very fun.
Albee Layer pointed out the exclusivity contract the WSL makes surfers sign. They are not allowed to surf in unsanctioned contests but all it takes for that to break is a few crossover stars. Or a bigger prize purse.
In any case, the energy drink company needs lots and lots of content to fill new channels. What could be better than a whole year’s worth of surf competition? American Idol meets Death in the Afternoon!
So what do you think?
Yes?
Red Bull Cape Fear 2016 – Action Clip Event Highlights from World of Freesports on Vimeo.
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It still sucked because they had that idiot Chris Cote commentating. You want to make it better than the WSL put credible surfers in the booth… not whiney little fat faced fringe dwellers like Cote. Also you can leave out Dave Weasel the over exaggerating blowhard, he needs to be back on his lifeguard tower and no where near a microphone.
as long as we can bet on it. sick of throwing coin at these two flys goin up the wall.
You guys are sellouts but I still dig it. Why not Rio? Maybe replace it with a ride up the Amazon with live crocs fed into the line-up ?
I’d love it. Wonder if the return on investment would make sense to Red Bull?
you guys seen this yet –
https://www.facebook.com/An…
2.2 million views for Danes kid and his dog!
Too bad Slater’s pool got bought by the WSL. I figured Red Bull would throw an American Gladiator style surf event to rival that show Wipe Out.
Just wait until Kelly unveils his “slab” wavepool. Do you think he wasn’t watching the Cape Fear event and making calculations? He intends to corner the market on ripable waves. Remember: you heard it here first.
I think there are very few surfers I’d sit and watch on my computer.
Coed tour, skip the separate but less than equal bullshit. Girls want to charge and earn a paycheck? paddle out with the boys like any other non comp day. Leave the “models” for their photoshoots on the beach… run a comp at skeleton bay, go back to mundaka, nazare shorebreak even. (Why am i so left focused today?) If they want one in brazil go to itacoatiara , redbull is already running comps at boogie waves and i dont think any brazzos that stand up actually charge that place when its on either
WSL = boxing
Rebel death slab tour = ufc?
let’s give the people what they want. death defying waves (ours, the box, shipsterns, cyclops, apocalypse, the right, etc) ridden by the world’s craziest hellmen, and train some models in g-strings to drive the jetskis. occy, wardo, davo, sterling spencer on the commentary. tell me you wouldnt tune in for that.
Presented by FTW
Found a picture of Bierke celebrating post-comp (see 3:12 above):
Like this. Do this red bull.
Maybe,
Laird vs Jesus.
15 minute expression session with a minimum of 7 kick flips per wave judged by Zoltan sitting in the channel like smug Charlie.
We’d be buried in exclamations points!!!! (ironically)
As long as there’s no separate women’s rebel tour, that would be lame.
Unrelated, but would the children of Russel Bierke and Tatiana Weston-Webb look really weird?
He’s not Tatiana Weston-Webb?
If he is, I’ve been lusting on his ass for a season and a half.
Russel Bierke + Alana Blanchard. They look very similar to me, in a weird way, and would produce a strange offspring. It may be bc i have a buddy that looks like male version of alana, or since monday, a dark-haired version of Russel Bierke. Weird.
Does Russel have tits like a spaniel’s ears as well?
They’d look like those deadlock blonde twins from the Matrix that drive cadillac SUVs
there ya go…
they would be invisible
Although I’m critical of some of your articles, I’d like to think I’m fair enough to give credit where it is due. Brilliant idea, Chas. Let’s hope that Red Bull gives it consideration. WSL is lame. An alternative is WAY overdue!
I deserve for more abuse than you dish….but this would be so good! It would dance!
Apparently, I need to up my game!
“The Red Bull Surf Tour supported, not at all financially, by ¡Beach Grit!” Every contest will include one wild card plucked from the Beach Grit commentariat (an action intended to introduce the very real and very exciting possibility of death).
With Commissioner Bobby Martinez
Done!
surfer’s rep would have to beat Bobby’s ass in the ring if they don’t want to paddle, otherwise commish has absolute authority on when they run
I heard that he was busy with some kind of Tennis Tour.