The Red Bull Storm Chase

Windsurfing in the most unpredictable element of nature: the storm Wanted: radical windsurfers to take part in the chase for the biggest Northern European storm. The application runs from June until the middle of July. Who will get to compete in this mind blowing competition, will be decided in an internet voting; applicants can register at www.redbullstormchase.com. One thing is for sure though: only the most experienced and tough guys should register.
According to meteorological predictions, the time window for the Red Bull Storm Chase project lies between the middle of September and the middle of November. At each spot, the biggest windsurf action will be filmed by local camera teams; the surf community will be able to relive the Red Bull Storm Chase on DVD from December.

Dark clouds gather on the horizon. A mighty storm travels over the Atlantic and approaches the Northern European coasts with raging force. The storm indicator starts ringing. The ocean is boiling. In the middle of all that, ten fearless windsurfers, who on their local spots face the ultimate challenge: a battle with the elements. This is in a nutshell what the Red Bull Storm Chase is all about: the most extreme windsurf show ever! An event never tempted before, and in nature just as radical as the most unpredictable element of nature itself: the storm.

This autumn, windsurfers from the participating countries such as Ireland, Germany and Denmark will open the chase for hurricane winds at their home spots. The Red Bull Storm Chase will push the limits of an already radical sport, by challenging the boundaries of the conditions itself. Forget about the sunny boy image of windsurfing, this autumn European local boys will show who really rips!

The cool thing is: you can decide who gets to compete in this competition. From the beginning of June each windsurfer, whether pro or amateur, can apply online for a ticket to the competition in their own country. You then decide who will represent your country in the Red Bull Storm Chase, and who will feature on the Storm Chase DVD, produced by legendary production company Big Sexy Pictures. The vote is open from the 17th of July and everyone can vote for their hero. One month later the ten protagonists for the storm competition will be announced, after which the waiting period will start: waiting for the biggest low pressure of the season. On www.redbullstormchase.coma storm indicator will keep you posted on the weather patterns. Thanks to the large time window the kick-off can be given exactly when the conditions are perfect.

At wind speeds of ten Beaufort or more each mistake can be your last. Each sailor competing in the Red Bull Storm Chase must know exactly what he is getting himself into. When it’s show time, the sailor will be accompanied by a camera team. Features such as mast mount or boom camera’s and Sunnto GPS-watches with pulse sensors will register all the action and will make you feel like you are part of the action. Apart from the hardcore action from the storm sessions, background information about the spots, riders and their diaries will be featured of the DVD.

The Red Bull Storm Chase stands for the most radical conditions, for extreme wavesailing on the edge of what’s possible and for a unique and dangerous adventure. May the chase begin…

Rider comment:
“The RedBull Storm-Chase is exactly what we need in windsurfing. It will show the full potential of our sport and the extreme conditions mother nature can offer. Hopefully I get the most votes on my side! I really want to start at this event.”
Klaas Voget

Important dates:
” Beginning of June – 17 July 2006: registration phase
” 17 – 31 July: open voting round (preliminary round)
” 1 – 13 August: final voting round
” 1 September – 15 November: waiting period (attention: the storm can arrive any second!)
” December 2006: DVD release

The event website www.redbullstormchase.comwill be online from June 2006.