How Has Ian Crane Made 4/5 Stab High Finals?
And who he’s most afraid of competing against in Japan.
Ian Crane has been in all five Stab Highs, has made the Finals of four of them, and has won one (in the Mentawais).
Given this prolific aerial output, we sat him down last month whilst on a recon trip to Japan to get his perspective on what Stab High Japan, presented by Monster Energy will feel like on the ground, who he thinks has the best chance of winning, overcoming his foot injury both physically and mentally, and more. This video features some unseen clips from the pool sessions that Chippa and Ian shared during that quick trip.
Crane also admitted that the money matters. While Stab High is full of some of the biggest names in surf culture (Harry Bryant, Mikey Wright, Julian Wilson, Matt Meola, Chippa Wilson, Noa Deane, etc.) it’s also full of up-and-comers and fringe characters that could definitely use the exposure and added digits in their bank account. Stab High is meant as an incubator for better aerial surfing and an introduction to the world for some new and overlooked personalities.
Prize Money for Stab High Japan Presented by Monster Energy:
Pros: $15,000 USD
Monster Air: $10,000 USD
Ladybirds: $5,000 USD
Bottle Rockets: $5,000 USD
This year we’ll be meeting heaps of new Ladybirds and Bottle Rockets — our male and female 15U divisions, presented by Yeti. If this profile on young Ryji Masuda is any indication, the game could very well be changed in Japan (swipe to third slide for evidence).
As a reminder, this year’s Stab High Japan, presented by Monster Energy will be taking place at PerfectSwell Shizunami in Shizunami, Japan on June 22nd and June 23rd — it can be viewed in-person (buy tickets here) or on our live broadcast with a Stab Premium membership. Keep in mind that due to time zone differences, it will air on the evenings of Friday, June 21st and Saturday, June 22nd in the Americas.
Past winners:
Waco, 2018: Noa Deane
Waco, 2019: Chippa Wilson and Sierra Kerr
Mentawais, 2020: Ian Crane and Caity Simmers
Central America, 2021: Matt Meola and Erin Brooks
Lakey Peak, 2022: Robbie McCormick and Sierra Kerr
For a deeper look in Crane’s 2023 injury and rehab process, check out this series with the physio team at B Project.
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