Fingers are crossed tighter than shoelaces. The 2024 Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang waiting period opens tomorrow and runs the entire month of August. Swellnet, the official event forecaster, is eyeing a strong storm forming off South Africa that’s due to send southwest groundswell to Indonesia next week. Should that materialize serious tube-riding talent awaits on Bali.
Traditionally, just 24 surfers, (12 locals and 12 international stars) get a taste of that oh-so-fine left on the Bukit Peninsula for this event. But for the first time in the event’s 21-year history, Rip Curl has opened a women’s division, and eight women will have a shot at one of the most coveted lineups in Indo.
And that women’s division is stacked: Pipeline Master Moana Jones-Wong, Sierra Kerr, Erin Brooks and Laura Enever are the headline invitees. Local wildcards Kailani Johnson and Jasmine Stude will be joined by two finalists from the trials. Given the quantum leap in women’s tube-riding we’ve seen across the board on the Championship Tour and the Vans Pipeline Masters in recent years, it only makes sense to have a platform for the world’s best at another premier barrel.
Both the men and women will surf on one day when conditions align between August 1-31. The men’s invitees include defending champion Clay Marzo, Hawaiians Mason Ho and Nathan Florence, and Australians Harry Bryant, Noa Deane and Soli Bailey. Nic von Rupp and Rob Machado are also slated to compete. Local legends Mega Semadhi (a two-time champ) and Mega Artana are in. Four more locals from the trials (set for August 1) will also get the call-up. And don’t sleep on wildcards Dylan Wilcoxen from the Mentawai and Padang Padang hotshot Manik Radita.
Photo: Nathan Lawrence/Rip Curl
“Our vision is to showcase the world’s gnarliest tube riders at one of the best waves in the world,” Harrison Mann, Rip Curl’s Marketing Manager, said in a news release. “Quite simply we don’t see enough of these free surfers, so we are so proud to run an event outside of the norm and give the audience something fresh.”
You can watch the whole thing live here. If you want a refresher on what the wave can offer, enjoy the video below.