Faces for the Future
Thursday 4 February 2021 The best female big wave surfers in the world are revelling in the giant winter going down in Hawaii for the Red Bull Magnitude Video Contest - here's the story and photo gallery.
WINTERY: Floridian Izzi Gomez at Jaws in January. Photo Gabriela Aoun / Red Bull Content Pool
Red Bull Magnitude, a women’s big-wave video contest, will take place across the Hawaiian Islands from December 1 to 28 February 2021. The inaugural event puts the top waterwomen to the test to exemplify what it means to be a big-wave charger.
The three-month contest will take place at iconic breaks across Hawaii such as Jaws on Maui, Waimea Bay, and the outer reefs of Oahu's North Shore. Film crews will be on-hand to capture the action when the surf shows a sustained 15-foot Hawaiian wave height. Competitors will have the option to work with their own film crew at any Hawaiian break so long that the waves captured meet the noted criteria.
There will be $40,000 in prize purse on the line with the “Overall Performance” winner set to receive $25,000. This award will be given to the surfer who showcases the most consistent and progressive big-wave rides over the course of the season. The “Runner Up,” “Best Ride,” and “Biggest Wave” category will each hold a $5,000 award.
KEEPING IT LIGHT: Some of the contestants line up at Waimea Bay. Photo Alana Spencer
The panel of judges are Rochelle Ballard: Three-time Surfer Poll winner; Betty DePolito: One of the first women to surf Pipeline; Kai Lenny: Reigning “Overall Performance” winner of the Red Bull Big Wave Awards; and Mark Healey: Winner of multiple big wave awards.
Judges will convene from March 1-15, 2021 to select category winners, culminating in an awards ceremony on March 15. Additionally, the “People’s Choice” award presented by Yeti, will open to public vote here during this time. Awards will be announced on March 16, 2021.
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The Athletes
Kelta O'Rourke; Keala Kennelly; Izzi Gomez; Emily Erickson; Justine Dupont; Paige Alms; Annie Reickart; Wrenna Delgado; Makani Adric; Raquel Heckert; Michaela Fregonese; Brittany Gomulka; Shelia Lee; Sklyar Lickle; Siri Masterson; Silvia Nabuco; Remi Nealon; Paulina Ralda; Momo Sakuma; Kimomi Sheppard; Jenny Useldinger; Kaya Waldman; Emilia Perry; Maddie Anzivino
Meet the contestants at https://www.redbull.com/us-en/events/magnitude