On High Alert: The Padang Barrel Shootout Event

The siren never sounded last year for the Rip Curl Cup, Padang Padang. 

It was a disappointing time. The hype was real, from press releases featuring ten point rides from years gone by, an anticipated all-star non-CT lineup on hand, and a rumoured cameo from fresh retiree, Taj Burrow.

However the days rolled by and nobody slipped a jersey on.

Much like the Eddie Aikau, Rip Curl doesn’t want to tarnish the reputation of the event by running in subpar conditions. Each year, they give the Indian Ocean a whole month to pulse from the right direction. Rip Curl wants only the best left hand tube handlers to stand on their podium, and we’re backing their elevated standards. It amplifies the thrill so much more.

Thankfully this year something’s showed up. 

A solid west-southwest swell (ideal direction) is on track to build this weekend, peaking through the afternoon on Sunday the 15th. The trials were held in big green barrels and according to the charts, we’ve been told to expect the same deal this time around.

Stab suggests keeping in range of a Wi-fi connection this weekend, as Sunday is looking good for a morning start for the one day event.

Here’s how it looked for the trials, expect more of the same this Sunday.

Here’s the draw:

ROUND 1

Heat 1
Garut Widiarta (IND)
Mason Ho (HAW) – TBC
Agus “Blacky” Setiawan (IND)
Jay Davies (AUS)

Heat 2
Lee Wilson (IND)
Josh Kerr (AUS)
Mustofa Jeksen (IND)
Bruno Santos (BRA)

Heat 3
Mega Semadhi (IND)
Jack Robinson (AUS)
Alik Rudiarta (IND)
Gearoid McDaid (IRL)

Heat 4
Bol Adi Putra (IND)
Nic Von Rupp (PRT)
Mega Artana (IND)
Jacob Willcox (AUS)ROUND 2

ROUND2

Heat 1
Garut Widiarta (IND)
Bruno Santos (BRA)
Mustofa Jeksen (IND)
Jacob Willcox (AUS)

Heat 2
Lee Wilson (IND)
Jack Robinson (AUS)
Agus “Blacky” Setiawan (IND)
Gearoid McDaid (IRL)

Heat 3
Mega Semadhi (IND)
Josh Kerr (AUS)
Mega Artana (IND)
Nic Von Rupp (PRT)

Heat 4
Made Adi Putra (IND)
Mason Ho (HAW) TBC
Alik Rudiarta (IND)
Jay Davies (AUS)

Mr Semadhi is the reigning champ, let’s see if he’ll hold onto the title for the locals, or fall at the sword of an international invitee.

More on the event here.