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Red Bull Big Wave Africa other

Red Bull Big Wave Africa, the most extreme surfing event on the African continent, commences 23 May and has an wake-day holding period during which the competitors wait for optimum surfing conditions in which to stage the event. If the surf at Dungeons doesn't get bigger than surf foot (five metres) during this waiting period, the event is postponed until next year and the prize-money is rolled over to create an even bigger purse in 2002.

The 16 invited big wave chargers, and five alternates, will be surfing all the other big wave spots on the Peninsula while they're waiting for Dungeons to fire. They'll be competing for the R30 000 on offer in the Biggest Wave, Best Tube, Heaviest Wipe-out and the Deep Throat awards, and there is also R3 000 at stake for the best photograph of the event.

When Dungeons produces the goods the action will be hardcore. Giant waves, kelp infested icy water and abundant sea life, including the ocean's predators. So stay hooked up and we'll bring you all the action as BWA other unfolds.

Contest Information:

BWA is not your normal surfing contest - when the wave & weather experts predict the right conditions, the event is put on standby for the call at first light the next day. If the waves are consistently over surf ft & the conditions are contestable everything swings into motion.

The competitors & judges are ferried to Dungeons by boat, the water safety crews take up their positions & all is set for another chapter in the annals of big wave surfing!

Contest Director: Gary Linden Contest Co-ordinator: Paul Botha Contest Format: Depending on the conditions, there are two possible formats. The first comprises three first round heats with the top four in each advancing to two semi-finals. The top three from each semi then contest the final. The alternative format is to have each contestant surf twice in two rounds of eight man heats and then total their two scores to deine the winner.

Judging Criteria:

The surfer who demonstrates the most commitment on the largest waves in a controlled manner will receive the highest score.

Interference Rule:

If two surfers ride the same wave there will not be an automatic interference call. However, the surfer

further from the peak will receive no score and is at risk of being penalised for interference. If the outside surfer is seemed to have interfered with the ride of the inside surfer, the interfering surfer will have one scoring ride deducted.