Vans Stab High, presented by Monster Energy, is back, and this time we’re moving from the pool to the sea.
The first episode of the four-part series takes flight on Stabmag.com, starting on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 at 7:00 pm PST and will then air on ESPN 2’s World Of X Games Sunday, December 6th, 2020 at 8:00 pm PST. Following episodes will then air every Wednesday on Stabmag.com and every Sunday on World of X Games on ESPN2 for the month of December.
Episodes 1 and 2 of our four-part Stab High series will premiere for free on stabmag.com (first ep: 7pm Dec 2) courtesy of Vans. Episodes 3 and 4 will be pay-per-view.
As we find ourselves in increasingly unchartered waters, the ocean is one of the few places we feel safe, let alone sane. “Stab High, Non-Chlorine” takes that to an extreme, assembling a crew of the world’s most progressive (and covid-negative) surfers and setting sail for Indonesia.
“Taking Stab High out of wave pools and to the ocean was a concept originated by Stab Founder and Publisher, Sam McIntosh, back in 2018,” said Stab’s North America General Manager, Aaron Carrera. “We never envisioned this concept to be under the world’s current climate, however, it also created a unique opportunity for us to invite new names and visit surfing’s most progressive playground.”
Over the course of a 10-day boat trip through the Mentawai Islands—surfing’s original wavepark—Stab High seeks to shatter all previous performance barriers. Bigger, faster, higher, and more technical is what we’re about.
Devoted to above-the-lip aerial surfing, judges Nathan Fletcher and Mikey February signed on to score every air of the trip. Basing their scores on amplitude, style, and progression, from launch to landing, every aspect of the maneuver will be scrutinized on a scale of 1 to 10.
“Being a part of Stab High is a huge honor,” said progressive surfing’s North Star and Stab High Head Judge, Nathan Fletcher. “Stab High is at the forefront of mixing competition and the future of surfing, whether that’s in pools or in the ocean, by creating unique formats to where each surfer can perform at their highest level, so surfing as a whole can take steps forward.”
Each surfer’s highest-scoring right and left air will count toward their total score. Whoever finishes the trip with the highest two-wave total will become the Vans Stab High, presented by Monster Energy, winner and $12,000 richer.
There’s another $3,000 up for grabs in the Ladybirds division, presented by Vans, which features four of the most talented up-and-coming young women.
On top of all this, every surfer will also have an opportunity to win Stab High’s Monster Air Award presented by Monster Energy. The prize goes to the highest, most generally outrageous air of the trip.
World-class talent from around the world has got onboard for Stab High, Non-Chlorine. In the men’s division, the list of competitors includes: Al Cleland, Tanner Gudauskas, Eric Gieselman, Matt Meola, Ian Crane, Crosby Colapinto, Brendon Gibbens, Sebastian Williams, Kevin Schulz, Bronson Myedi, and Rio Waida.
The Ladybirds lineup includes Caitlin Simmers, Bella Kenworthy, Erin Brooks, and Sierra Kerr.
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.
About Stab
Surfing doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and since 2004 Stab has been its premiere subcultural stimulant. A ravenous and irreverent international player, feet firmly in warm sand, Stab draws influence from popular culture as much as it influences. Stab is at its best when uncomfortable, reporting stories that need to be told and creating imagery and motion that bring big ideas with big names to life. www.StabMag.com
About Monster Energy
Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer and distributor of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, it’s the way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at http://www.monsterenergy.com.
About Vans
Vans®, a VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC) brand, is the original action sports footwear, apparel and accessories brand. Vans®authentic collections are sold in 97 countries through a network of subsidiaries, distributors and international offices. Vans® has over 2,000 retail locations globally including owned, concession and partnership doors. The Vans® brand promotes creative self-expression in youth culture across action sports, art, music and street culture and delivers progressive platforms such as Vans Checkerboard Day, Vans Park Series, Vans Triple Crown of Surfing®, Vans Custom Culture, and Vans’ cultural hub and international music venue, House of Vans.
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