Red Bull Cape Fear, the invitation-only big wave surfing competition, is returning to Shipstern Bluff in Tasmania for 2021, with the competition window now underway.

This year’s event features an all Australian lineup with Mick Fanning leading the field alongside a strong group like Laura Enever, Lizzie Stokely, and many more.

Of the chance to be part of the lineup, Enever said: “I’m honoured to be one of the first female surfers to take part in Red Bull Cape Fear, and I’m excited and nervous to push myself and compete against some of the best female slab surfers in Australia. It’s going to be one crazy event. When I left the World Tour to venture into big wave surfing, my eyes were opened to what it takes physically and mentally to surf the heaviest waves around. Shipstern Bluff truly embodies that challenge.”

The Red Bull Cape Fear competition window opened on March 3 and went through until August 15, so once conditions are right, Surfers will have 28 hours to make it to the lineup for one hell of a competition.

Red Bull Cape Fear last took place in 2019, and a returning Fanning said he was relishing the chance to tackle one of the world’s heaviest waves. He added: “My expertise lies in high-performance surfing, so taking on these crazy waves is definitely out of my comfort zone, but it’s an epic challenge post-retirement all the same.”

The event will be closed to spectators, but you can catch the action live on Red Bull TV.