Red Bull Heavy Water 2018 is ON!

The APP World Tour has announced the event Red Bull Heavy Water will take place from the 15th October to the 2nd November held in San Francisco, California. The event is quite possibly the most intense stand up paddling event in the world, will showcase top performing athletes in the ~12km (7.5 mile) course, and has prize money totalling $75,000 on offer!

As part of the 2018 APP World Tour circuit 36 athletes, both male and female, will start from inside San Francisco Bay, paddle under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, against notoriously challenging weather and water conditions, ending with a three-pronged surf battle and finish at Ocean Beach.

2017 World Champion Hawaiian Connor Baxter will be taking on the likes of Mo Freitas 2017, Red Bull Heavy Water winner Casper Steinfath, Lincoln Dews, Arthur Arutkin, current World #1 Michael Booth; Travis Grant, Ryan Funk, James Casey, Slater Trout, Kody Kerbox, Martin Vitry, Kenny Kaneko, Leonard Nika, Kai Lenny, Danny Ching, Zane Schweitzer, Riggs Napoleon, Jake Jensen, Bullet Obra, Christian Anderson, Itzel Delgado and Enzo Bennett.

“Red Bull Heavy Water was hands down the most extreme and challenging SUP event I have ever competed in,” said 2017 Red Bull Heavy Water champion Casper Steinfath. “The conditions last year pushed me to new limits both mentally and physically. The level of competition has never been higher and I am excited to see the world’s top women joining us this year to battle Mother Nature. I will do everything I can to defend my title from last year!”

Red Bull Heavy Water Stand Up Paddleboard Race in San Francisco, CA, USA on 20 October, 2017

Red Bull SUP and Starboard Rider Izzi Gomez will be pulling out all stops against athletes such as 2017 Overall APP World Champion Fiona Wylde, 2017 APP World Racing Champion Terrene Black, 2015 World Champion Candice Appleby, Annie Reickert, Chloe Walkerdene, Andrea Moller, Manca Notar, Shae Foudy, and Nicole Pacelli.

“I’m nervous and excited to be taking on this years Red Bull Heavy Water event,” said Australia’s Terrene Black, 2017 APP Racing World Champion. “Last year’s conditions looked real heavy. It’ll be important to prepare wisely for the big surf and the cold water.”

Ryan Funk of the United States competes at Red Bull Heavy Water Stand Up Paddleboard Race in San Francisco, California, United States on October 20, 2017.

Podium placements will be given to the top three male and top three female finishers. Along with bragging rights, and coveted APP World Tour points, prize money is as follows for both men and women; First Place – $15,000, Second Place – $7,500, Third Place – $5,000, with a grand total of $75,000 in prize money.

Red Bull Heavy Water 2018 weather window is from the 15 th October until the 2nd November with a  7-day orange light alert, followed by a 5-day green light alert will signify that optimal conditions are in place for the event to run. For more information visit redbull.com/heavywater!