Red Bull Heli-Surf

RED BULL HELI-SURF TAKES OFF!

Grey skies and light rain did little to dampen the spirits of hundreds of keen surfers taking part in the Red Bull Heli-Surf paddle races at Cronulla and Manly beaches in Sydney on 9 February 2008.

Strong crowds at both locations endured average weather to watch on as the eager entrants fought their way through the breaking waves at Elouera and Manly Beaches to the offshore finish lines situated 700 metres from the shore. The world-first surfboard paddle race attracted a large field of eager surfers aged 13 years and over.

The winner of the Cronulla Red Bull Heli-Surf race was local Mark Simpson, and right on his heels, was Ironman and self-confessed surfing addict, Ky Hurst, followed by the other two top placed competitors, Dean Simpson (Mark’s brother) and Cameron Pyett.

The paddle battle was even fiercer at the Manly Red Bull Heli-Surf, with several surfers fighting hard for a winning place. In the end it was Johnno Stock from Curl Curl who managed to come out on top, followed closely by Simon Flood, young 15 year-old Harry Kindred and Adriaan van der Wallen from Avalon.

These lucky eight winning paddlers were winched from the sea by Red Bull helicopters hovering above the finish lines at both Cronulla and Manly, and flown to a secret location where they spent the weekend with Australian big-wave surfing legend Ross Clarke-Jones before being flown home in helicopters the following afternoon.

“The Red Bull Heli-Surf was a true test of paddling speed and endurance,” said Clarke-Jones. “The difference between this event and other paddleboard races is that competitors could only use standard fiberglass surfboards that were no more than 6’6” (six feet and six inches) in length. These boards are made for riding waves but they're not ideal for paddling so it was always going to be a tough race."

In addition to spending the weekend surfing with and picking the brain of Ross Clarke-Jones, these surfers received clothing packs and new custom-made surfboards. The eight winners will also be flown to Victoria in March during the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach to meet and surf with the current ASP [Association of Surfing Professionals] World Champion, Mick Fanning.

THE WINNERS OF RED BULL HELI-SURF