Red Bull Foam Wreckers Is Back
Long ago, I was a surfer who did contests. I grew up in a place where competitions were aplenty and getting involved was only natural. I was a pretty good surfer and it only seemed logical to compete with my peers and friends. If I only knew how to do it.
Putting on a jersey has an interesting effect on some. It can erase all your ability instantly. A good surfer will slide into a neon jersey and become useless in the lineup, occasionally unable to even reach their feet. Or at least that was my experience.
The pressure was too much, and I would often put on great displays of freesurfing 10 minutes after being unable to reach my feet. I tell you all this because I believe I might have thrived in the Red Bull Foam Wreckers format. Because the format encourages ridiculousness. It’s actually part of the criteria.
I called Jamie O’Brien, who will be down there judging and getting everyone psyched this weekend. So if you’re in college in San Diego, the party of the weekend starts Saturday morning. Just show up and Red Bull Foam Wreckers will take it from there.
I grabbed Jamie to find out what he’s looking for from the competitors.—Travis Ferré
Register here
Inherent Bummer: Jamie, you’ve got probably the most extensive history with soft-tops of anyone I know, and you legitimized them for a lot of us. What’s your advice for all the kids coming down to have a good time?
Jamie O’Brien: The name of the game is to have fun. We’re not judging three to the beach. We’re all there to entertain and bring the good vibes. We’re excited to see everyone show up, blow up, and have a great day.
What’s your history with soft-tops? I’ve watched what you can do with them in serious surf, but do you remember the early days of toying with them at the scariest wave in the world?
For me, I was so comfortable surfing Pipeline that I wanted to test myself. I started testing the boundaries of what these boards could do, and it was just fun to challenge myself. People thought I was crazy. To me it was more like, ‘How else can I ride Pipeline?’ And sure enough, I could do it on a big pink soft-top.
It was the most surreal thing to see. And that’s kind of what the kids are showing up for: they spin a wheel and ride whatever comes up. What can they expect from all the craft you’re bringing to the beach?
You’re going to want something to shred, but sometimes when you spin that wheel you might get the boogie board, or need to do a board transfer. We’re going to challenge the surfers to have a good time. The best surfer is the one having the most fun, and that’s who wins.
And you’re judging with a crew, I’m assuming?
I’ll be judging with Sage Burke, Uriah the Super Grom, Kai Thompson and our whole Fun Day team’s going to be down there. It’s going to be epic. Poopy’s is going to be there too, and we’ll have epic games on the beach for kids to win prizes. We’re bringing the vibe. Registration is filling up. We’re near max capacity, so sign up ASAP.
If it fills, should they come down?
You can always still show up on the beach and maybe slide in.
Last year was super fun just being there. The kids were psyched.
It’ll be even better this year!
Last question. As a judge, what do you want to see?
I want to see board transfers, going from a regular 9'0 or 8'0 to a bodyboard. Big airs, fins-first takeoffs, shove-its. If you can pull off a lie-down barrel to stand-up, helicopters, 360s, those win the event. A big air could carve its way in there, but like I said, we’re not a traditional surfing contest. We are the future.
