Stab Highway presented by Monster Energy drops this Thursday the 7th (US).

Inspired by Thrasher’s ‘King of the Road’, Stab Highway presented by Monster Energy features 16 of Australia’s best surfers on a 10-day road trip through NSW. Four teams comprised of four surfers each led by Holly Wawn, Pacha Light, Macy Callaghan and Jaleesa Vincent will compete in 30 challenges for the chance of starring in an exclusive Kai Neville surf film.

Featured surfers include Harry Bryant, Chippa Wilson, Dion Agius, Holly Wawn, Noa Deane, Shaun Manners, Jaleesa Vincent, Reef Heazlewood, Wade Goodall, Coby Perkovich, Macy Callaghan, Mckenzie Bowden, Pacha Light, Sheldon Simkus, Dakoda Walters, and Benny Howard.

How the scoring works

All teams were given a Stab Highway booklet outlining the rules and challenges on Day One. Every team will have to complete each individual challenge, and their performances will be judged relative to one another with a maximum of 4 points, minimum of one point, per challenge.

There are a set number of challenges that all need to be completed. Scores are distributed as follows:

1st place = 4 points

2nd place = 3 points

3rd place= 2 points

4th place = 1 point

Not attempting a challenge = 0 points

For instance, if a challenge is to do the most chop hops on a wave (and it is), a team that lands eight chop hops will get four points, a team that lands six chop hops will get three points, a team that lands four chop hops will get two points, and a team that lands two chop hops will get one point.

Some challenges, like the chop hop one referenced above, are fairly objective. Others, like the best kneelo tube, are fully subjective. Regardless, every challenge will be scored by a panel of three esteemed judges: Ozzie Wright, Kai Neville, and Stab’s own Danny Johnson (more on them below).

The three judges have their own particular tastes and kinks and they’ll each rank every challenge from first to fourth. Those positions will then be collated to derive the top four of each challenge. The most important message we must share is this: if it’s not captured on film, it didn’t happen.

The Surf Challenges

The first 10 challenges, also known as the Surf Challenges, are as follows:

Best wave ridden with no wax or traction of any kind – This challenge must take place at Duranbah. Only one surfer can attempt this task.

Air on a board over 6’6” – The requirement for this challenge is that surfers first source, and then complete, an air on a 6’6 or larger surfboard. The most impressive air, as deemed by our judges, wins. Does a smaller air on an 8’0 beat a technically better air on a 6’6? That’s open to interpretation.

Best naked surf performance – No clothes, no inhibitions. The average water temperature at Duranbah in June is 22 degrees Celsius or 71 degrees Fahrenheit. The average water temperature in Bega is 16 degrees Celsius or 61 degrees Fahrenheit.

Most chop hops on a wave – Self-explanatory. A hop 180-reverse as many times as possible on a single wave.

Best kneelo tube – Regular surfboard. Irregular tube approach. 

Best surfboard to boog transfer – Created by Harry Bryant and then popularised by Jamie O’Brien, the transfer is about maximising height and magnitude.

Best standup wave on a boog – Courtesy of SurfStitch all teams have been supplied with a boog. 

Best tandem surfing wave – This isn’t about two surfers on one surfboard on one wave. This is about one surfer lifting another above their head.

Best air/chop hop over a pipe or a rock – Again, self-explanatory. Like Freddy P at Snapper but you need to ride out.

Best team party wave – Four surfers, one wave. Simple. Who can show the most collective form as a group? It could be the length of ride, it could be every single person being given the opportunity to do a turn.

The judges

Kai Neville – If you were ever to feature in a Nevsy film, your stock was on the rise. An iconic Australian cinematographer and tastemaker, Kai is both a judge and prize and we’re thrilled to have him.

Ozzy Wright – From Seven Days to Seven Slaves to Doped Youth, Ozzy is one of those indefatigable pro surfers whose career thrives with hard work and relentless evolution.

Danny Johnson – The familiar and soothing baritone of our Stab podcasts and narrator of Stab Highway presented by Monster Energy itself, Mr. Danny Johnson’s warmth and personality make anyone he meets feel like an old friend.