Surfing “anti-contest’ coming to Margs next month

Adventure sports brand and beverage company Red Bull is bringing a soft-board surf series to Margaret River next month after testing out the format across the United States. The Foam Wreckers event – which starts in Margaret River on December 18 before February dates on the Gold Coast and Manly Beach in NSW – was billed as an “anti-contest” because the judges would decide based on “having the most fun” while catching waves. 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. International talent involved in the contest was likely to be named next week, organisers said. “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.