Surfer Jamie O’Brien is leading a whole new generation of ‘foamies’

Surf legend Jamie O’Brien is bringing the art of foam-top surfing to the masses in his fun surf tour called Red Bull Foam Wreckers. 

It has never been a better time to be a surfing fan, and now regular folks can get in on the competitive action and join their idols in the water. The Red Bull Foam Wreckers events are wild and fun surfing events all around the country that allow anyone to join. It doesn’t matter if you are an experienced water man or woman, or it’s your first time stepping on a board, the Foam Wreckers events are for you. Created by the surfing genius mind of Jamie O’Brien and Red Bull, this outrageous contest is more like a big party than a surfing competition.

O’Brien is known as one of the best surfers to ever ride Pipeline in Hawaii. He is now spending most of his days on a foam board instead of the typical “hard” fiberglass boards that most professionals ride. Foam boards were once thought of as a “beginner” boards but O’Brien is making them fun again and making them so that anyone who wants to can try their hand at riding the waves with himself and his crew on the Red Bull Foam Wrecker tour.

The tour is ongoing now and will finish up in Hawaii sometime in the fall. O’Brien and company traveled along the east coast earlier this summer and were able to answer some questions about the event exclusively to FanSided.

Fansided: What does being a part of the Foam Wreckers events mean to you?

Jamie O’Brien: It’s been so epic to help create this event with Red Bull. It really is the best surf contest in the world because truly anybody could win. It’s not about how good you are, it’s about letting loose in the surf. Surfing completely carefree – and this community of soft toppers has grown so big, that it was just time to make a carefree surf contest.

What can fans expect to see when they come to the Foam Wreckers events?

Expect to see one of the most epic surf competitions of your life. The energy is always insane at Red Bull Foam Wreckers. People are coming up with moves you’ve never even thought of doing on boards. Just sending it with creative and weird tricks. I want to see all the kids, families and local heroes and shredders show up, I promise it’s one you won’t want to miss. You can bet that you’ll see some of the Catch Surf crew – from myself to Ben Gravy, Tyler Stanaland, Kalani Robb, the list goes on. And of course – more local talent and heroes.

Who should sign up to compete in a Foam Wreckers event?

Honestly, anybody. Doesn’t matter if you’ve never surfed before. Other contests are generally seen as so serious and boring at times. But with Red Bull Foam Wreckers we’re just trying to make it the greatest surf event ever – minimal rules. All you got to do is show up, get creative and have fun at the event.

After the success of last year, what changes if any are you making for 2022?

We’re hoping to come back bigger and better than ever in 2022. There was so much hype and turnout at every stop in year one – we cannot wait to see what this year holds at each location.
Where does this event fit in the bigger picture of surfing both on the competition side and for fun?
Red Bull Foam Wreckers really brings the whole soft board movement to light. It’s all about creating a fun space for brand new surfers and experienced vets to come together, push their creativity on a foamie, and just watch the fun unfold. You don’t have to be the best one out there, you just have to be yourself and share the love of surfing with everybody in the water.

The rest of the Red Bull Foam Wreckers events are as follows:

• Wrightsville Beach, NC — Oct 10
• Cocoa Beach, FL — Nov 5
• Galveston, TX — Nov 12
• Honolulu, HI — TBD

Anyone who competes in this event or is just there to watch is sure to have a great time. The atmosphere is great and the waves are always pumping.  Those who get in the water will have the opportunity to compete alongside soft-top surf legend O’Brien and his friends, Ben Gravy, Kalani Robb, Blair Conklin, and the rest of the Catch Surf team.

To get involved with the Red Bull Foam Wreckers events go to redbull.com/foamwreckers.