The Striped Horse Challenge presented by Zigzag in association with RVCA and Hurricane has officially begun for 2016. We’re looking to reward the most courageous and committed big wave surfer once again and it could be you. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a pro, a working class hero or the most average Joe – as long as you’re South African and charge, you’re in the running.
WHEN
The contest runs from 1 June to 31 October 2016, but any ride documented during May 2016 is also eligible. An overall winner will be announced in November 2016.

Neels Havenga negotiates a steep drop while the wind toughens up in the Western Cape. Image © Grier Fisher / Striped Horse 2015
HOW IT WORKS
The Striped Horse Challenge is a big wave video competition that runs for the duration of South Africa’s winter. We’re looking for the surfer who takes off the deepest, makes the heaviest drop, or pulls into the biggest barrel. Preferably all of the above. Size does count, but it’s not everything – if you love nothing more than charging backless ten foot slabs, welcome aboard! We’re looking for the surfer out there putting it all on the line in waves of consequence.
Entries need to be a single documented ride in video format. Photo submissions will also be accepted if they are comprehensive sequences. A counting ride is deemed any wave where the surfer makes the drop to the bottom of the wave and is still in control of their board.
Rides can be from anywhere in the world but the surfer must be South African and it has to fall within the contest window.
All entries must be uploaded to the contest website on www.stripedhorsechallenge.co.za and contestants are allowed to upload as many entries as they like. Entries that are uploaded elsewhere first (i.e. on social media or other surf / media websites) will not be eligible unless through prior consultation with the event organisers. One winner will be chosen at the end of the contest window by an elite panel of judges for the best single ride that goes down during the contest window.

James Lowe drops into a barrel at Dungeons which landed him the cover of Zigzag 39.7. Image © Grier Fisher / Striped Horse 2015
THE LOOT
The winner will receive over R100 000 in prizes and will be packing their bags for Hawaii. The prize includes:
– R30 000 cash from Striped Horse
– Return Flights to Hawaii sponsored by RVCA
– RVCA gear
– 2 x Hurricane Big Wave Surfboards
– Accessories and gear from Hurricane
The videographer or photographer who captures the winning ride won’t go away empty-handed either and will receive R10 000 cash for their efforts. Striped Horse is also sharing the stoke with the public – there’s a case of the finest Striped Horse beer up for grabs every month for the best comment on the event website.

Matt Bromley drops into the pit in Indo. Image © Brent Bielmann / Striped Horse 2015
DON’T BE ACTING STUPID
The Striped Horse Challenge is an event designed to reward and encourage experienced surfers who enjoy pushing themselves on bigger waves. It is not an invitation to do something stupid and try ride waves that are way out of your league. That’s just going to end badly.
All entries have to fall within the contest period. Event organisers reserve the right to examine footage and make sure it’s accurately dated. Any cheaters will be disqualified and sentenced to a lifetime trying to ride Skeleton Bay on an SUP (Hint: that’s going to end badly too).
All entries are accepted in good faith and event organisers will not be held liable for any entries that infringe on copyright or are uploaded without permission or consent.
Visit the event website on www.stripedhorsechallenge.co.za for all the rules, terms and conditions.
(Above) Veteran Kommetjie charger, Andy Marr, won last year’s inaugural Striped Horse Challenge. This was his winning ride at Dungeons – filmed by Dean Engela / Striped Horse 2015
**Lead Image © AVG