Wanted: radical windsurfers to take part in the chase for the biggest Northern European storm. The Red Bull Storm Chase application runs from June until the middle of July. Anyone who is interested in taking part in this mind blowing competition, can register at www.redbullstormchase.com.
One thing is for sure though: only the most experienced and tough guys should sign-up.
According to weather predictions, the time window for the Red Bull Storm Chase project lies between beginning of September and middle of November. Along the way, the biggest windsurf action will be filmed by local camera teams and the windsurfing community will be able to relive the Red Bull Storm Chase on DVD from December.
Think for a moment - dark clouds gather on the horizon. A mighty storm travels over the Atlantic towards the Northern European coasts with raging force. The storm indicator starts bleeping. The ocean is boiling. In the middle of all that, ten radical and fearless windsurfers, who on their local spots face the ultimate challenge: a battle with the elements.
This is what the Red Bull Storm Chase is all about: the most extreme windsurf show ever! The event has never been tempted before - so this is a first.
Come the 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 who is radical enough and will show who really rips!
The cool thing is: you (the viewing public) 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 own local hero. One month later the ten windsurfers for the storm competition will be announced, after which the waiting period will start: waiting for the biggest low pressure of the season.
A storm indicator on www.redbullstormchase.com will keep everyone 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 full-on camera team. Using the latest water based film techology 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 will certainly take place in 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 for your diary:
- 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.com will be online from June 2006.
