World's Toughest SUP Race Slated To Impress And Challenge Athletes

SAN FRANCISCO, California – Red Bull Heavy Water, a highlight on the pro standup paddleboard circuit, is headed back to San Francisco after weather condition requirements were not met in 2018. The city by the Bay will host the event as part of the 2019 APP World Tour circuit, with an event window from October 15th – November 7th.

Athletes will compete on a 12km (7.5 miles) course, paddling from Aquatic Park, under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, and finishing at Ocean Beach. 36 of the world’s best male and female athletes will charge the start line looking out towards Alcatraz, battle the seas around iconic Fort Point and Land’s End, and race to the finish through extremely challenging surf at Ocean Beach.

Red Bull Heavy Water to challenge the World's very best Men & Women, demanding endurance, ocean knowledge and courage. | Photo Courtesy: APP World Tour

This event, as in past years, will be a true test of physical strength, race strategy and determination for every athlete involved. The top three male and female finishers in the race will be awarded top honors. The enthusiasm for this year's iteration is amplified with the much-anticipated inclusion of female competitors and given that the 2018 edition didn’t take place, 2019 will be the first Heavy Water that features the top female athletes in the sport, showcasing the immense growth in both talent and participation.

Red Bull’s SUP and water-athlete, and former APP World Tour Surfing Champion, Izzi Gomez said: "Red Bull Heavy Water has such a unique and compelling contest and course structure, I am super excited to be involved and test my skills up against the best paddlers in the world. The location is iconic, the conditions are guaranteed to be challenging and the experience will be one for the history books."

Red Bull Heavy Water is proud to announce a partnership with Sustainable Surf to ensure an #oceanpositive event. | Photo courtesy: APP World Tour

Red Bull Heavy Water is also proud to announce a partnership with San Francisco-based nonprofit Sustainable Surf, advocating for an #oceanpositive event, encouraging participants and spectators to leave locations cleaner than they found them, and promote a clean ocean experience.

Red Bull Heavy Water 2019 weather window is from October 15th – November 7th. A 7-day orange light alert, followed by a 5-day green light alert will signify that optimal conditions are in place for the event to run. Red Bull Heavy Water is held in San Francisco, California and all interested parties can visit redbull.com and appworldtour.com for more information.

Photo courtesy: APP World Tour

About the APP World Tour & Waterman League International

The APP World Tour is the Professional World Championship Tour for the Sport of Paddlesurfing (also known as SUP / Stand Up Paddling / Paddleboarding), officially sanctioned by the IOC recognized Federation for Surfing Sports, the ISA (International Surfing Association). Re-branded in 2017 as the APP World Tour (previously known as the Stand Up World Tour and Series) the APP has been crowning the sport’s World Champions for both Men & Women across Racing and Surfing since 2010.