TEAM RVCA WINS RED BULL QIANTANG RIVER SHOOT OUT
Hawaii surfers prove to be well versed at the Red Bull Qiantang River Shoot (RBQSO). This Spetember, Makua Rothman and Kalani David captured a win at the only river-surfing competition in the world. More than 200,000 spectators gathered along the banks of the Qiantang River in China to witness some of the best surfers in the world tear apart the roaring tidal boar, more dramatically know as the “Silver Dragon.”
The Red Bull Qiantang Shootout is the first of its kind surf contest that pits teams of surfers against each other on the most unusual wave in the world. According to RBQSO contest director, Glenn Brumage, “I’m sure this hasn’t been tried in the past because of the numerous challenges to holding a contest on a tidal bore. You have only one wave per day to work with, a limited number of days that it breaks and you have to keep the officials and crews ahead of the wave as it moves upriver at over 40k hr. As well, most of the world’s tidal bores are limited by size, “surfable” faces or accessibility. Luckily for us, the Qiantang wave is unusual in its size (recorded at 9m), its variety of workable faces and its path through the middle of the city of Hangzhou.”
The astonishing tidal boar of the Qiantang River is a world-renowned natural wonder caused by the gravitational pull of the stars and planets. Millions of people from around the world flock to the banks every year to watch the magnificent tidal surge on the eighteenth day of the eighth lunar month.
Results
First place Team RVCA Kalani David, Makua Rothman
2nd place Ocean & Earth (2012 winners) Phil MacDonald, Trent Munro
3rd place Lifeproof Anastasia Ashley, Steve Newton
4th place Fuel TV “The Crew” Mark Mathews, Richie Vaculik
Contest Format
4 Teams of 2 surfers, choice of equipment (long, short, paipo, hand plane, sup, mat).
Teammates alternate drop off either by tow in or step off and move off the wave face to await the end of their mates ride, at which time they will switch positions and be dropped into the next opportunity.
The contest venue presents a number of wave faces. Teams take turns down the river as faces present. 1st priority is given by coin toss. Obvious hopping, interference or wakes on the wave face result in a “no score” for that section and possible deduction for flagrant or dangerous behavior.