Photo: Alan van Gysen/@nownowmedia
One could make the case that there is more high-quality surfing today than ever before. At least, between the expansion of forecasting, the fine-tuning of surfboard design, the headcount in lineups and the number of clips uploaded to the internet, it sure feels that way.
In an effort to reward the global talent pool, organizers from South Africa are planning a series of “contests” during key swell events at marquee waves around the world. Presented by Now Now Media, with the backing of Monster Energy and Ocean & Earth, The ShootOut offers a $10,000 USD prize purse for anyone who gets the best rides during a key swell window. No entry fee, no jerseys, no priority. Just show up and do the best you can. Winners will be decided by a peer vote and organizers on the ground. A recap video will showcase the highlights when the sea settles.
In a new release, OG South African photographer, explorer and Now Now Media confounder Alan van Gysen said they’re hoping to run three events in 2024, and all the locations will be well known. No secret spots will be harmed in the making.
“There are so many dedicated locals and underground chargers who have these waves wired and put on a clinic when it’s firing, so it’s a nice way to give them some recognition. But it’s not really about money or prizes,” van Gysen said. “Anybody who gets a good wave out there is a winner at the end of the day. The ShootOut is essentially a celebration of that.”
Photo: Edwin Morales / @nownowmedia
It’s akin to Wave of the Winter, but only during certain swells at various locations, like (potentially) No Kanduis, Puerto Escondido, Cloudbreak, or Jeffreys Bay. Now Now Media ran a version of this in June 2023 at pumping Skeleton Bay. Between the 10 to 30-second tubes and a sandbar stretching hundreds of kilometers, it’s a contest venue unlike any other. After a three-day barrel bender, Jordy Maree from Cape Town, South Africa, was the unanimous winner after “wrangling a seemingly endless drainer that doubled in size as it chewed and spat for close on a kilometre down the point,” according to the event website. If sand and swell align, this comp should return in 2024.
Per the release, here’s how the awards break down: “Monster Energy is putting up $5,000 USD for the Standout of the Swell each session, which will be awarded for a single standout wave, or to the surfer who was the standout of the swell. The standout local surfer will receive $3,000 USD, and a $2,000 USD prize will be awarded for the Monster Moment, which can go to the person who sent it the hardest but came off second best; or any other standout moment from the swell. Ocean & Earth will also be showering the winners with core gear and accessories.”
Organizers will announce the event the day of. Follow them on Instagram and subscribe to the YouTube channel so you don’t miss out. More info is available on the official site.
“No one really knows when it will happen, it’ll just pop up depending on the swell and whoever is there, is there,” said Eli Beukes, another Cape Town standout who put in a solid showing at the inaugural Skeleton Bay ShootOut. “It’s pretty cool because it’s kinda underground and anybody who sends it can win.”