National Surf League | The Game

NEW NAME BUT SAME OLD RIVALRIES
2008 Red Bull Riders Cup Set to Begin  

(March 17, 2008) - The third annual Red Bull Riders Cup, formally known as Red Bull High School Cup, kicks off its first game at Hermosa Beach, California on April 1st.  The National Surf League presents the Red Bull Riders Cup as the premiere high school surfing tournament, bringing together the best young surfers in each region.  

Thirty two schools from eight regions will battle it out in games sanctioned by the National Surf League until a champion is crowned.  The winner of each region will be invited to attend the national finals from June 13-15 for the chance to become the best high school surf team in the country.

The Red Bull Riders Cup will use “The Game” format for its tournament. The format is modeled after traditional team sports like basketball and football. The Red Bull Riders Cup is the first step to bringing a new outlook to the sport of surfing through the community and a structure people are familiar with. NSL founder Brad Gerlach says, “The Game creates an easier understanding of surfing as a sport. The entire game spans less than two hours, with three periods, coaches and time outs. Family and friends are encouraged to come out and show support.”

The Red Bull Riders Cup will feature professional surfers coaching each high school team during their competition. Some of the professional surfers include Jamie Sterling, Ian Walsh Adam Virs, Brett Simpson, Austin Ware, Jeremy Sherwin, Omar Etcheverry, Nate Yeomans, Ratboy, Peter Mel, Mike Losness and many more.

The National Surf League and Red Bull have partnered to help bring the sport of surfing to a new and exciting level. “The NSL and Red Bull are both companies that are passionate about innovation and bringing out the best performance in surfing. I am very excited to see how we will grow and create a more entertaining and easier way to watch the sport,” says Gerlach.