Waiting Period Underway For Women’s Only Big Wave Event
Now in its four iteration, Red Bull Magnitude is back this winter. The waiting period for the specialty big-wave event, which features 24 of the best female chargers on the planet, is officially underway and will run through the end of February.
Featuring a unique format based on video submissions, the event will focus on Waimea Bay, Oahu’s Outer Reefs and Peah’i on Maui. Per Red Bull’s description, “film and safety crews will be provided at the three designated big-wave breaks on ‘Green Lit’ days.”
Surfers will then have the opportunity to submit their favorite (or biggest) three rides. Overall there are eight different categories up for grabs, and with an expert panel of judges, including Head Judge Rochelle Ballard, along with Kai Lenny, Ian Walsh, Megan Abubo and Andrea Moller. There’s a total of $50,000 on the table.
Among those invited include Peah’i icon Paige Alms, charger Izzi Gomez and last year’s ‘Breakthrough Performer’ Felicity Palmateer.
“Big wave surfing continues to explore new frontiers that are only possible when resources exist to support the pursuit. Red Bull’s belief and investment in the growth and development of women’s big-wave riding is exemplary,” explains contest director Jodi (Wilmott) Young, who has deep experience running surf events in Hawaii. “I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to play a small part in this history-making event that is dedicated to women.”
As far as categories go, there will be an overall winner, which will receive $20,000, as well as Best Ride (Paddle only), Best Tow, Breakthrough Performer and more. With more swell on the way this winter, it’s going to be amazing to see how far these women push the boundaries of the sport.
Watch: Mason Ho And Company Take On 30-Foot Waimea Bay
With more than 25 years of writing about surfing, the ocean and action sports, Jake Howard continues to share stories, profiles and issues that shape the surfing world. One of the premier subject-matter experts in the field today, he's savvy in the ways of print, digital and social media, his breadth of work is expansive. Getting his start writing Surfline surf reports and recording the phone reports for 976-SURF in the late '90s, Jake served as the managing editor for Surfer Magazine in the early 2000s before moving on to launch RedBullSurfing.com and cover surfing for ESPN and the X Games. Over the years, Jake has also enjoyed time behind the edit desk at The Surfer's Journal, as well as the World Surf League, where he worked as the Senior Editor for a number of years. Beyond producing editorial content, Jake has served as a digital marketer and copywriter for iconic surf brands such as Quiksilver, Roxy and Rip Curl. Writing thousands of pages of copy for Surfline, he has deep SEO experience as well. The surf columnist for the San Clemente Times, Jake continues to dedicate himself to the culture and history of the sport through his involvement with the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center in San Clemente.