FOLIO
Salt Life Food Shack’s Florida Big Wave Challenge is getting some nice swell this week with the help of Tropical Storm Joaquin, currently off the Bahamas coast. The unique grass roots contest to promote the sport of surfing runs from July 15 to November 1 during optimal surfing time on Florida’s coast. The Challenge includes ALL of Florida and offers a combined purse of over $10,000 in cash and prizes.
“We’re excited to get some good traction with Joaquin this week,” said Greg Saig, Managing Partner of Salt Life Restaurant Group. “The season has been slow due to El Nino but the forecast is heating up some for average size surf and it only takes one good wave to win!”
To compete in the Challenge, participants must register as teams of one surfer and one videographer or photographer. Teams will then submit pictures and videos shot during the Challenge dates while a named storm is in the Atlantic Basin or Gulf of Mexico. All team members must register and consent to all regulations to be considered. Currently, Joaquin is off the Bahamas coast with a slow drift to the west, forecasted to slowly turn to the north over the next day or so. All named storms can be found here http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml.
This hurricane season may offer many opportunities for surf. According to meteorologist Tim Deegan, “El Nino does not mean Nada for us. Although during a typical El Nino year there are normally less tropical cyclones, they tend to form in not so normal times of the year, in not so normal places, and take not so normal tracks. History has shown that it’s these ‘odd storms’ that can produce some epic swells.”
There are three categories: Judge’s Pick for Big Wave Photo (a $5,000 cash prize), Judge’s Pick for Airborn Video (a $1,500 cash prize to best HUCK and $1,500 for best HACK), and Fan Favorite for Photo or Video (prize includes a free week stay at Paradise Rentals in Nosara, Costa Rica, and a half day fishing tour). Judges will determine the winners of the Big Wave Photo and Airborn Video. The Fan Favorite winner will be determined by most votes cast online. There will be only one team winner in each category.
The winners will be announced on November 25, 2015 at the Awards Party to be held at Salt Life Food Shack in Jacksonville Beach To register online visit http://saltlifefoodshack.com/big-wave-challenge/. For more information on this swell event, contact greg.saig@saltlifefoodshack.com
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