RED BULL MAGNITUDE // YEAR II

Groundbreaking Women’s Big-Wave Surfing Contest Red Bull Magnitude Returns For A Second Year

Keala Kennelly surfs, while Siri Masterson paddles to the line-up, during Red Bull Magnitude on Outer Reef, Oahu, HI, USA on 13 February, 2021.

One year after making history, Red Bull Magnitude is once again blazing the frontier of women’s big-wave surfing.

Red Bull has announced the return of its revolutionary women’s big-wave surfing contest, Red Bull Magnitude, for the 2021-2022 Hawaiian winter season. Presented in Collaboration with Surfline, Yeti, and Canon–the three-month, open-invite big-wave event will once again provide the top women big-wave surfers an unmatched level of access to put together their best possible big-wave season, with Red Bull providing film and water safety crews every time swells hit a minimum threshold. And this year, the contest is going even bigger by upping the prize purses: With $50,000 in total prize purses and $35,000 going to the contest’s top performer as voted on by a panel of surf icons.

 

Last year, Red Bull Magnitude broke new ground in the world of big-wave surfing. The first-ever all-women big-wave content contest, Red Bull worked to create the ultimate egalitarian big-wave event that tested the full measure of what it means to be a waterwoman. With a three-month contest period across the entire state of Hawaii, Red Bull Magnitude gives contestants ultimate flexibility in choosing when–and where–they want to paddle out, allowing them to focus on one thing and one thing only: Putting together the best possible winter season. The end result is a contest unlike any other–no individual matchups or tournament brackets, but rather, a complete measure of someone’s ability to string together the most complete and impressive big-wave season on their own.

 

“Last year’s event was incredible,” says Paige Alms. “It was really unique to have the platform to showcase our best surfing, without the time restraints of a traditional surf contest. It allowed everyone to push themselves and build on their performances each swell. I look forward to the upcoming event and hope for some big swells to showcase some amazing surfing!”

 

With event footage living on redbull.com/magnitude and on Red Bull’s social media accounts, Red Bull Magnitude will provide fans across the world with an in-depth insight into what it takes to spend a winter paddling out at some of the most iconic big-wave breaks on Earth. And with its open-invite format, there’s no telling who this year’s breakout star will be.

 

“Last year really helped bring up the new generation of big-wave surfers,” says Keala Kennelly, the Overall Winner from the inaugural Red Bull Magnitude. “I got to surf with some up-and-coming talents that I had never surfed with and it was inspiring to see them push their limits and grow their capabilities. I can’t wait to see what this year has in store.”

 

The contest swell window will be from December 1, 2021 – February 28, 2022, and film crews will be provided at the priority big-wave breaks–Jaws, Waimea Bay, and Oahu Outer Reefs–on days when there is a surf forecast showing a sustained 12-foot Hawaiian / 24-foot regular wave height per Surfline. While competitors can work with their own film crews to catch waves at any break across the state and submit the clip on their own, all waves must be over 12-foot Hawaiian/24-foot regular to be considered in the contest by Red Bull’s expert judging panel.

Emi Erickson surfs during Red Bull Magnitude at Waimea Bay, Oahu, HI, USA on 16 January, 2021.
Remi Nealon surfs during Red Bull Magnitude on Outer Reef, Oahu, HI, USA on 13 February, 2021.

That judging panel will consist of Betty DePolito, Rochelle Ballard, and Kai Lenny.

 

The judges will convene from March 1-5, 2022 to deliberate on four awards: Overall Champion, Best Tow-In, Best Ride, and Biggest Wave presented by Yeti. The Overall Champion Award carries a $35,000 purse and will be given to the surfer who puts together the most consistently fantastic winter season. All other awards carry a $5,000 purse. A fifth award-the People’s Choice Award–will be voted on by fans online at RedBull.com/magnitude and will carry a special non-cash prize.

 

All awards will be announced during a closing ceremony early in March at a date to be later announced.

 

##

 

Big-wave clips, event information, and fan voting is available at redbull.com/magnitude.

 

To share, please tag @redbull_surfing, and #RedBullMagnitude

Polly Ralda paddles back to the line-up during Red Bull Magnitude at Waimea Bay, Oahu, HI, USA on 16 January, 2021.