Red Bull Heavy Water Forecast Draws Excitement With XL Swell

SAN FRANCISCO, California - Red Bull Heavy Water, arguably the most intense stand up paddling event in the world and part of the 2017 APP World Tour circuit, returns to San Francisco for the second year, the event holding period through October 31st. As favorable conditions are predicted for Friday October 20th, Red Bull Heavy Water is now in the Green Light phase, meaning that the event is likely to be held that day.

The forecast conditions of swell in the 10-15ft range will prove a worthy challenge for the selection of world-class SUP athletes competing, and the tumultuous course stretches 12km (7.5 miles) from Ocean Beach and finishing just past the Golden Gate Bridge. 2016 saw a dramatic first edition completed in epic surf conditions, as the world's leading athletes took on this incredible challenge from the treacherous Ocean Beach, around the infamous Land's End, under the Golden Gate Bridge and into the safety of the San Francisco bay.

Pictured: (L) APP World Tour Trophy / (R) A snapshot from Kai Lenny's movie premiere in San Francisco. | Photos Courtesy: APP World Tour

Joining renowned waterman and Red Bull / Naish athlete Kai Lenny (HI) and returning Red Bull Heavy Water champion and Starboard athlete Connor Baxter (HI) will be Red Bull athletes Casper Steinfath (DEN) and Arthur Arutkin (FR) as well as SUP athletes Mo Freitas (HI), Zane Schweitzer (HI), Lincoln Dews (AUS), Michael Booth (AUS), Ryan Funk (US), Travis Grant (AUS), Slater Trout (US), Kenny Kaneko (JP), Leonard Nika (IT), Martin Vitry (FR), Josh Riccio (US), Jake Jensen (AUS), Chuck Glynn (US), Haakon Hoyer Neilson (US), Bullet Obra (HI), SIC Maui athlete Kody Kerbox (HI), Riggs Napoleon (HI), Itzel Delgado (PERU), Claudio Nika (IT), Mark Alfaro (USA), Christian Anderson (DK), and John Hadley (USA).

A prestigious and fitting Opening Ceremony was held in front of the Golden Gate Bridge on Sunday, (watch the highlights below) followed by an entertaining Opening Night at the Palace of Fine Arts that also featured Kai Lenny's newly released Movie, 'Paradigm Lost'.

2017 Men's World Title to be decided at Red Bull Heavy Water

Connor Baxter on his way to victory at the 2016 Red Bull Heavy Water. | Photo Courtesy: Red Bull

Red Bull Heavy Water takes on even more meaning this year as it will mark the end of the APP World Tour season for this year and a World Champion will be decided in the pumping surf on Friday here in San Francisco. With Connor Baxter (Starboard) and Mo Freitas currently tied for 1st place, it will be a battle for the ages as the two will go blow for blow one last time, with it all to play for here on the APP World Tour.

Behind them, the likes of Casper Steinfath (Naish), Lincoln Dews and Arthur Arutkin are all looking to finish the year on a high, as they will take on the first major swell of the season here at Ocean Beach and all the variables that the San Francisco waters have to offer to come out on top.

The race is projected to kick off at 9am PST on Friday morning the 20th October, so make sure to follow the race live at appworldtour.com with the unique MapBox live tracking experience, together with facebook live blasts from the key moments of the race on the APP World Tour facebook page.

About the APP World Tour and Press Contacts

The APP World Tour (formerly known as the Stand Up World Series) was established at the end of 2011 as the Official World Championship Tour for the sport of Stand Up Paddling. With events across the Americas, Europe and Asia, the APP World Tour crowns both Men & Women’s World Champions each year as the World’s best come together to battle it out for the World Championship Crown.