Red Bull Riders Cup

MIRA COSTA HIGH 2009 RED BULL RIDERS CUP NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

The top high school surfers in the country gathered this weekend in San Clemente to compete in the Red Bull Riders Cup National Championship, bringing with them ideal weather and near-perfect waves. With a powerful swell pouring through Upper Trestles at San Onofre Beach all weekend long, the teams were given the chance to test their mettle and show their skills in the premiere high school surfing competition. The eight teams - all of whom had earned their National Championship spots by dominating local rivals in Regional Championships - came from Florida, New Jersey and all up and down the Southern California coast. The competition was fierce from the get-go, but in the end it came down to a grudge match between Mira Costa High and San Dieguito Academy that could only be settled in overtime. When all was said and done, Mira Costa High School took the win and with it the bragging rights as 2009 Red Bull Riders Cup National Champions.

"This was simply an amazing Championship, and exactly what the Red bull Riders Cup is all about," said Brad Gerlach, National Surf League Founder. "In the Finals we had two well-matched teams and a format that really allows the kids to show off and highlight their skills. It had it all - drama, suspense, disappointment, exhilaration and a nail-biting finale. This is why we do it." Read More...

Day One of Red Bull Riders Cup National Champs A Resounding Success

Well folks, day one of the Red Bull Riders Cup National Championships is in the books, and with absolutely flawless conditions all day, the action didn't disappoint. The Quarterfinal rounds of the Red Bull Riders Cup took place today at Upper Trestles at San Onofre Beach. The event brought together eight of the best high school surfing teams in the nation to compete for bragging rights and the title of Red Bull Riders Cup National Champion. All eight teams had previously won Regional Championships to earn their spot in the National Championship. The victors will be back tomorrow for the Semi-Finals and Finals.

TOMORROW'S SCHEDULE:
8:00am-10:00am Semi-Final #1 Mira Costa High vs. Newport Harbor High
10:30am-12:30pm Semi-Final #2 Malibu High vs. San Dieguito Academy
2:00pm-3:45pm Final
4:00pm- 4:30pm Awards ceremony

Read More...

Red Bull Riders Cup National Championships Set For The Weekend

The regular season is over, the teams have been decided, and this weekend the Red Bull Riders Cup National Championships descends up Trestles in San Clemente. With a very promising swell forecast on the horizon, it's going to be a war on the shore. But rather than force you to read a long, droning narrative about who's going to dominate and who we think the Red Bull Riders Cup Champion will eventually be, we've put together a "greatest hits" collection of photos for you from the past season. As you'll be able to tell from Ocean City to Ocean Beach, there's definitely no shortage of talent in the water these days. Good luck to everybody this weekend and may the best high school win. See the photos...

San Dieguito Academy Takes Final Riders Cup Qualifier

The San Diego Regional Championships, the eighth and final regional stop of the 2009 Red Bull Riders Cup season, took place this week, with participating high schools including Carlsbad High School, Point Loma High, Torrey Pines High, and San Dieguito Academy. This stop of the Red Bull Riders Cup, the nation's premier high school surfing competition, saw a classic rivalry continue as the 2007 and 2008 national champions battled it out against each other. This year it was San Dieguito Academy earning the bragging rights as they defeated last year's champs Carlsbad High. This win means that the eight team field that will battle it out in the Red Bull Riders Cup National Championship at Trestles on June 6-7 is now set. Read more...

Newport High Claims Red Bull Riders Cup Orange County Regional

The Orange County Regional Championships, the seventh stop of the 2009 Red Bull Riders Cup season, took place this week in sunny, albeit "small" conditions. This stop of the Red Bull Riders Cup, the nation's premier high school surfing competition, saw Orange County's best high school surfers battle it out in a series of close games. Participating high schools included Huntington Beach High School, Newport Harbor High, Edison High, and San Clemente High. In a surprising upset, last year's champion San Clemente High was knocked out in their qualifying game by Huntington Beach High, setting the stage for a new regional champion to be crowned. Read more...

Battle Royale Set For Huntington Beach

The schedule's set for Red Bull Riders Cup Orange County. Will top honors go to Huntington, Newport? Who knows, I guess we'll have to wait and find out. The Red Bull Riders Cup is coming to Huntington Beach next week, don't be a kook, show up and support your school.

Red Bull Riders Cup Orange County Qualifier Schedule:

Tuesday, May 19:
San Clemente High
Vs. Huntington Beach High

Wednesday, May 20:
Newport Harbor High
Vs. Edison High

Thursday, May 21: Final

Ocean City High Makes It Three Straight Northeast Red Bull Riders Cup Titles

The New Jersey Regional Championships, the sixth stop of the 2009 Red Bull Riders Cup season, took place this week in a cold tail end of the East Coast winter in Ocean City, New Jersey. This stop of the Red Bull Riders Cup, the nation's premier high school surfing competition, saw New Jerseys best high school surfers paddle out in mostly cold and difficult conditions. Participating high schools included Ocean City High School, Southern Regional High, Manasquan High, Point Pleasant High and Middle Township High. Read more...

Middle Township Flexes in New Jersey Red Bull Riders Cup

As reported by Jon Coen on PressOfAtlanticCity.com

When the Red Bull Riders Cup first came to Ocean City in 2007, Middle Township High School had only offered a surf club as an extracurricular activity for a year. Young surfers had campaigned for the club's formation. But in the short time since, the team has grown - so much so that Wednesday, it served the biggest blowout in the three-year history of the Riders Cup in New Jersey. Last year, Manasquan High dashed Middle Township's early hopes. In the first semifinal game of this week's regional qualifier, Middle got retribution in the form of a 57.5-36.2 trouncing in 2- to 3-foot waves, with the occasional bigger set, at the First Street beach. Read More...

Evan Gieselman leads New Smyrna High to North Florida Regional Title

New Smyrna High School, won the 2009 Red Bull Riders Cup North Florida Regional this past week at New Smyrna Inlet in fun waist-high surf. Coached by Local professional surfer Aaron Cormican and Geoff Armstrong, the NSB team was the odds on favorite to win the regional title. Most Radical Maneuver award winner Evan Gielsman put on an impressive display of tail-free surfing in the small surf. "I really just love the format for The Game," he said later. "It's more like the organized comps of the NFL and Soccer. I like the team format - the rivalries - and not the individual focus where you just do your own thing. I think it could be the future of surfing for sure." Read More...

Mira Costa High Wins South Bay Regional

The South Bay Regional Championships, the fourth stop of the 2009 Red Bull Riders Cup season, took place this week during a cold snap in the Los Angeles South Bay beach break at El Porto. This stop of the Red Bull Riders Cup, the nation's premier high school surfing competition, saw L.A.'s best high school surfers battling against both each other and the cold and windy conditions. Participating high schools included Redondo Union High, Mira Costa High, Palos Verdes High and Palisades Charter High School. This regional competition was completely dominated by Mira Costa High, who raised the bar for the surfing series, setting themselves up as the team to beat at this year's Red Bull Riders Cup National Championship. Read More...

Satellite High School Repeats As Central Florida Regional Champs.

Satellite High's depth, experience and use of modern technology contributed to their win over Cocoa Beach High in the final. Head coach George Seguna debuted their new radio helmets that allows the head coach to communicate directly with each player from the beach, similar to the quarter-back in football receiving plays from the coach on the sideline.

A triple-header was held after the NSL extended the waiting period an extra day in anticipation of an incoming, but short-lived swell. The move paid off with fun waist to chest high surf for the duration of the day.

Malibu High Gets It Done at 2nd Stop of 2009 Red Bull Riders Cup

The Golden State Regional Championships, the second event of the 2009 Red Bull Riders Cup season, took place this week in Ventura, California. This stop of the Red Bull Riders Cup, the nations' premier high school surfing competition, saw The Golden State region's best high school surfers battle it out in fun but challenging conditions. Participating high schools included Ventura High, Santa Barbra High, Carpinteria High and Malibu High School. The week's competition varied from major whitewashes to nail biting close finishes but was fierce at all times. In a repeat of last year's regional title, it was Malibu High snatching victory and taking the win over Carpinteria High. Malibu has now booked a spot in the Red Bull Riders Cup National Championship, which will be held on June 6-7 at Upper Trestles in San Clemente. The series now moves east to central Florida's Pelican Beach Park on March 31 - April 2.

Aptos High Captures First Stop of 2009 Red Bull Riders Cup

The first event of the 2009 Red Bull Riders Cup season, the nations' premier high school surfing competition, got off to a dramatic start this week as the best high school surfers in Santa Cruz battled it out under sunny skies and solid conditions. Participating high schools included Santa Cruz High, Aptos High, Scotts Valley High, Harbor High and Soquel High School.

2009 Red Bull Riders Cup Season Announced

The Red Bull Riders Cup is back for another season, so hold on to your graduation caps and get ready. Last year it was Carlsbad High School that took top honors. Who will it be this time around? Amassing over 34 high schools from eight distinct surfing regions around the country, the Red Bull Riders Cup is the premier high school surf function. While 34 teams will enter, only one will hoist the cup. The season is coming on quick, so be ready.

What Is Red Bull Riders Cup?

The Tournament: Using the National Surf League's "Game" format, in a single-elimination "march-madness" style battle royale 34 high schools are entered into 8 regional qualifiers. Four high schools from each region make it to the national championships.

The Format: Start time is at 4pm after school, and the entire Game spans under 2 hours. 3 total periods, 2 heats per period, teams alternate surfing each heat. Each heat is 12 minutes long. Each team is allotted 5 "time outs" per game of 2 minutes each.

The Team: Teams of 12 Athletes max: 4 starters, 2 substitutes and 2 non-active reserves (2.0 GPA min) Head coach with at least 1 assistant coach (water coach). Each team has 2 substitutes in the water ready; subs can sub in only once per heat.