Watch: Episode 1 Of Vans Stab High, Non-Chlorine, Presented By Monster Energy

Episode 1 can be found here.

Episode 2 can be found here.

Episode 3 can be found here.

Episode 4 can be found here.

We tried to do Stab High in the pool this year. 

In March, we got rona’d right out of Melbourne. Flights canceled, pool closed, Zoom calls, you know the deal. 

So we needed a new plan. A less…artificial plan. Something that was out in the middle of nowhere, where the virus was dormant and world-class ramps were wildly abundant. 

Oh, duh. Remote Indonesia. 

The Mentawai islands were surfing’s original wavepark. Spots like Macaronis, Pitstops, and Lance’s Right provided an unparalleled training ground for generations of aerial pacesetters—the Irons bros, Jordy Smith, Noa Deane etc.—before wavepools put man (and girl) in flight.  

With Australians (including past Vans Stab High winners Noa Deane and Chippa Wilson) unable to cross international borders, we saw this as an opportunity to accelerate the ascension of surfing’s future stars. 

Here’s who we had on-board:

Al Cleland (Mex), Tanner Gudauskas (USA), Bronson Meydi (IDN), Eric Geiselman (USA), Matt Meola (HAW), Ian Crane (USA), Crosby Colapinto (USA), Brendon Gibbens (ZAF), Sebastian Williams (Mex/ZAF), Kevin Schulz (USA), and Rio Waida (IDN).

The Vans Ladybirds lineup includes: 

Caitlin Simmers (USA), Bella Kenworthy (USA), Erin Brooks (USA), and Sierra Kerr (USA). 

The event is judged by an esteemed panel including Nate Fletcher (progression judge) and Mikey February (style judge). 

To win, a surfer must stomp two stellar aerials (right + left) over our 10-day trip. Best total score for the men wins $12,000 USD. 

There’s another $12k up for grabs with the Monster Air Award (presented by Monster Energy), which will be awarded to the surfer who stomps the single highest/most impressive launch. 

And lest we forget the Ladybirds—four of surfing’s most progressive and talented starlets, who ended up charging way harder than the men this trip. They’ll be playing for a cool $3k. 

Episode one (of four) can be found above. Episode 2 drops in a week. Enjoy!

This content was produced safely under strict health and safety protocols supervised by medical experts. Please wear a mask, practice social distancing, and follow all public health guidelines issued in your country.