NOT QUITE BIG ENOUGH – POSTPONEMENT OF RED BULL HEAVY WATER GIVES CREDENCE TO SHOWCASE EVENT

In a dramatic and much anticipated decision, Tristan Boxford – CEO of the APP World Tour – announced yesterday the postponement of the Red Bull Heavy Water extreme SUP racing event for 2018.

Starboard team rider Connor Baxter works his way back to the beach in San Francisco, California where he and teammates have been practicing for this year’s Red Bull Heavy Water event. Photo by: Sean Greeley / APP World Tour

RED BULL HEAVY WATER WILL WAIT FOR 2019 SWELL

What the announcement means is that this showcase, much anticipated event on the APP World Tour will be put on hold in order to maintain the integrity of the event until 2019.

APP World Tour coordinators and Red Bull are in agreement that if the conditions are not conducive to the Heavy Water’s 10 ft plus swell criteria, then postponement is both effective and necessary.

Athletes who have been ‘on call’ for these past 2 weeks of the waiting period, where everyone was watching for a sizeable Pacific swell, are able to return home and prepare for Paris.

Team riders Zane Schweitzer, Ryan Funk and Connor Baxter take on legendary Ocean Beach’s shore break in multiple practice runs over the past few weeks. Photo by: Sean Greeley / APP World Tour

APP WORLD TOUR LOOKS TO PARIS AND GRAN CANARIA FOR FINALE

The APP World Tour turns its focus now to Paris on December 8-9th, 2018 where the final showdown will occur to crown this year’s World Champions.

The Paris race, held in conjunction with the Salon Nautique, a revered boat show in Paris, is the culmination of this year’s incredible World Title championship tour.  Athletes will be on the start line on the Seine River to celebrate the beauty and culture of this iconic city.

Read THIS to see who’s out in front for World Title

What also makes Paris a spectacular showdown is that this race is the LARGEST SUP RACE IN THE WORLD, with a lottery for registrants that will cap the crowds at 800 participants.

The world’s best stand up paddle racers, including France’s native son Arthur Arutkin, formidable waterman Kai Lenny, up and coming Mo Freitas and the legends of Connor Baxter, Michael Booth and Casper Steinfath will all be on the start line for the men.

The women’s title race includes young, brilliant Shae Foudy, the reigning Queen of SUP Candice Appleby, fiery Terrene Black and the formidable Manca Notar in a close sprint to the finish to claim a World Title championship.

Racers slide past the looming features of Notre Dame in last year’s Paris SUP Open.

PARIS CROWNS WORLD CHAMPIONS ON DECEMBER 9TH

Don’t forget to TUNE IN to the LIVE BROADCAST from Paris as we watch with baited breath to see who crosses that finish line first to become the APP World Tour’s 2018 World Champ.

It is a race to the wire between top contenders. YOU don’t want to miss THIS.

Written by:  Evelyn O’Doherty Online Editor / APP World Tour