BEN BOURGEOIS WINS RB5X TOW AT EVENT AT GLOBE SEBASTIAN INLET PRO
January 5, 2005 (Melbourne Beach, Florida) - The iconic Sebastian Inlet came alive this week as Ben Bourgeois (Wrightsville Beach, NC) won the Red Bull 5X Tow At at this year's Globe Sebastian Inlet Pro. With the aid of a personal watercraft the five competing surfers of the RB5X were sling-shot into waves at speeds up to twenty miles-per hour leading to dramatic aerial and carving maneuvers. Each surfer was allotted two, ten minute sessions behind the watercraft. This innovative session was featured at the Globe Sebastian Inlet Pro, an ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) three-star event.

The placement of the surfer on the wave by the ski driver is critical in tow-at surfing. For this purpose, tow-at specialist drivers were east coast tow-at pioneers, Matt Kechele and Jeremy Saukel. Their expertise ensured the towed surfers were perfectly poised for huge maneuvers.

The RB5X Tow-At was an invitation-only contest comprised of five surfers; Ben Bourgeois (Wrightsville Beach, NC), Ian Parnell (Virginia Beach, VA), Adam Wickwire (Satellite Beach, FL), Ola Eleogram (Hana, Maui) and Jeremy Johnston (New Smryna Beach, FL). Judging the event were the surfers themselves as they utilize the RB5X format, a surfing pick-up game designed to integrate creativity and innovation in to the sport.

All the action was filmed from four camera locations and then played back the following day for the surfers to comment on, critique and deem who they thought won. Each surfer threw in $5 to the pot, the winner took all. For his high-flying surfing, Ben Bourgeois left with a whooping $25.

RED BULL 5X - THE NEW PICK UP GAME FOR SURFING
The RB5X asks the question, “What is good surfing?” The answer is – it’s up to you. Here’s how it works: Round up five surfers and head to your favorite break. Throw in $5 each, paddle out, and surf for 90 minutes straight. Then, judge each other on these five criteria: torque, boost, push, mojo and combo. The winner gets the cash. But more importantly, the winner gets the respect.

Red Bull 5X Judging Criteria:
Torque: Best turn. Complete the most impressive maneuver performed on a wave.
Boost: Biggest air. Complete the most impressive maneuver performed in the air.
Push: Most creative. Demonstrate the most innovative or imaginative maneuver performed on a wave or in the air. Attempts count.
Mojo: Most connected. Demonstrate masterful wave judgment and utilization for example, the deepest tube).
Combo: Smooth linkage. Complete the most impressive combination of two or more of the above on a single wave with a clean transition.

The RB5X format can be done by anyone, anywhere. It opens the doors for a full range of surfing styles and wave conditions - from one foot waves at San Onofre on longboards with friends, to the most progressive surfers applying the RB5X in a display of the high-performance antics.

The surfers will be empowered to adapt the Red Bull 5X criteria any way they see fit. The key is the five surfers judge each other and deem the winner themselves with a format that rewards creativity and innovation.