Red Bull Queen of the Bay returns with a holding period of October 1 through November 21, 2019. The first-ever all-women big-wave surf competition looks to crown the Women’s Waimea Bay Champion — which honors powerful women who have worked to break down barriers in surfing. Unfortunately, the contest was postponed in 2017 and 2018 due to a lack of appropriate swell in the bay.
“I’m very excited that Red Bull Queen of the Bay is coming back,” said North Shore native big-wave rider Emily Erickson. “Fingers crossed we get the weather and waves we need to bring this to life at Waimea.”
The North Shore is the mecca for not only big-wave surfing, but for the entire surf world and Waimea Bay serves as its grandstand. “It’s really important to me and the other girls to show what we can do. I have a lot of respect for Waimea Bay and the history of women’s surfing,” says Hawaiian surfer Makani Adric. “You get an adrenaline rush and it’s a dream to be surfing there.”
The contest will feature many of the top, most recognizable names in professional women’s surfing from around the world. More athletes will be announced in the coming weeks.
INVITED ATHLETES
- Keala Kennelly, Hawaii
- Makani Adric, Hawaii
- Paige Alms, Hawaii
- Justine Dupont, France
- Emily Erickson, Hawaii
- Michaela Fregonese, Brazil
- Brittany Gomulka, USA
- Wrenna Delgado, USA
- Kelta O’Rourke, Hawaii
- Raquel Heckert, Brazil
- Bianca Valenti, USA
- Jamilah Star, Hawaii
- Momo Sakuma, Japan
- Nicole Pacelli, Brazil
- Andrea Moller, Hawaii
- Paulina Ralda, Guatemala
- Silvia Nambuco, Brazil
- Felicity Palmateer, Australia
- Laura Enever, Australia
- Izzi Gomez, USA
“We are honored to be bringing this big wave event to our community,” said contest director Betty Depolito. “We are remembering women who changed the perspective of what women should be. Through their memory we celebrate the current women big-wave surfers at Red Bull Queen of the Bay.”
For more information on this historic event, please visit redbull.com/queenofthebay.
