Palmateer and Burrow star in Red Bull Rivermouth soft-board surfing showdown

South West surfing icons Taj Burrow and Felicity Palmateer will headline Red Bull’s fun “anti-contest” which kicks off tomorrow at the Rivermouth. The adventure sports brand and beverage company is bringing a soft-board surf series to Australia after testing out the format across the United States in recent months. The Foam Wreckers event will continue on the Gold Coast and at Manly Beach in NSW in February. Billed as an “anti-contest,” surfers and amateurs alike were endorsed to enter, with judges awarding points and prizes based on who was “having the most fun” while catching waves. Fresh from a stint on TV series Survivor and making waves with her own artistic exhibition — as well as competing at Rottnest earlier this year — Palmateer said she was on board for the event and looking forward to it. “The thought of hitting the Rivermouth and getting competitive with a bunch of friends is too good to say no to,” she said. “I can’t wait.” Contestants would be required to spin a “Wheel of Shred” to determine what equipment they’ll take into the water, and then six-to-10 surfers would paddle out on different soft boards. “The whole soft board movement is so fun, and the relatability of people surfing carefree is so appealing,” event creator Jamie O’Brien said. “I feel like Red Bull Foam Wreckers is the coolest contest in the world, because anybody could win. “It’s not about how good you are, it’s about how much fun you can have and how creative you can be. “I want to see all the kids, all the families and all the local heroes show up, and I want to put on the best event possible for them,” O’Brien said. Categories would be held for male and female surfers ranging from beginner level to professional, Red Bull said. Contestants would be aged 16 and up, with “mad prizes” on offer, with spectators encouraged. Jamie O’Brien and Mick Fanning were slated for the east coast events.