Padang Padang © Rip Curl/Mick Curley

After a false start last week, the trials event to this year’s 11th Rip Curl Padang Padang Invitational once again readies to run as the whole of the Indian Ocean turns a deep purple and red.

In a departure from previous years, this year’s Rip Curl Cup will see a 24-man format rather than 32 competitors: 12 international icons and 12 of Indonesia’s finest barrel masters in man-on man heats, with the event still running in just one day.

Invitees include Jamie O’Brian, Chris Ward, Kekoa Bacalso, Bruno Santos, Rizal Tanjung, Garut Widiarta, and last year’s winner Mega Semadhi.

However, tomorrow’s trials event should see 24 local Padang specialists battle it out for just two spots in the main event (one goes to the Trials winner and the other wildcard spot to the highest placing Bukit local)

With a massive swell approaching for Friday 27th and good tides, 8 – 10 feet barrels have been predicted at Padang-Padang. Official forecaster Surfline said ” It’s time to dust off that step-up. Long period swell is expected to fill in across Indonesia over the second half of the week and continue into the weekend”.

Indo’s longest running surf comp will once again be broadcast live at www.live.ripcurl.com, with the main event’s waiting period running July 5th through August 17th.