<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Surf fans around the world are counting down the days as the WSL prepares to bring Rip Curl’s one-of-a-kind invitational tube-riding event to a global audience for a third straight year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sixteen of the world’s top tube masters – eight of Indonesia’s finest and eight of the world’s best barrel riders – are ready to take over the show from the CT’s Top 34. And there is no greater show on surf than when the Indian Ocean delivers at Padang Padang.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“WSL are extremely excited for this year’s Rip Curl Cup at Padang Padang,” said Will Hayden-Smith, WSL Australia/Oceania Regional Manager. “There’s something really special about events like the Rip Curl Cup that only run when mother nature produces that one special day of waves, and we see who is at their best when the ocean is at its best. We will get to see a crop of the best tube riders from around the globe take on Indonesia’s finest at one of the world’s most mystical waves.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With less than two weeks before the start of the event holding period, Rip Curl has officially announced the 16 surfers invited to compete in the Rip Curl Cup 2018, set to run on the best day of waves at Padang Padang between July 1st – 31st.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Among the world’s best barrel riders preparing to push the limits of tube-riding in pursuit of the prestigious title are former WCT performers turned barrel hunters <strong>Jack Freestone (AUS)</strong> and <strong>Damien Hobgood (USA)</strong>, as well as Tube Tour kamikazes like <strong>Mason Ho (HAW)</strong>, <strong>Jay Davies (AUS)</strong> and <strong>Jack Robinson (AUS)</strong>. Among the national surfing heroes representing Indonesia are defending Rip Curl Cup Champion <strong>Mega Semadhi</strong>, Indonesian surfing ambassador and 2014 Rip Curl Cup Champion <strong>Garut Widiarta</strong>, and two-time Indonesian Champion <strong>Lee Wilson</strong>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to Rip Curl SEA Marketing Manager James Hendy, an invite to compete in the Rip Curl Cup isn’t about tour points, big-name sponsorships, or number of followers on social media. The sole criteria to get a shot at the Cup is performing at the highest level on the heaviest swells of the year at the planet’s most hollow waves.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“You have to have a proven track record in world-class tubes and waves of consequence, whether it be in boots and a 6mm wetsuit or in boardshorts at a mysto Indo reef,” Hendy said. “That means fans get to see renegade tube masters like Mason Ho, Jack Robinson, Jay Davies and Damo Hobgood face off against the underground legends that own their local slab on the best day of the year.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Following are the 16 surfers invited to compete for the 2018 Rip Curl Cup</strong>:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>International Surfers</strong>:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jay Davies (AUS)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jack Freestone (AUS)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mason Ho (HAW)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Damien Hobgood (USA)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Gearoid McDaid (IRL)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bruno Santos (BRA)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jack Robinson (AUS)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jacob Willcox (AUS)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Indonesian Surfers</strong>:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bol Adi Putra</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mega Artana</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mustofa Jeksen</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Alik Rudiarta</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mega Semadhi</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Agus “Blacky” Setiawan</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Garut Widiarta</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lee Wilson</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 2018 Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang will be webcast live to the world at <strong><a href="https://www.ripcurl.asia/en/" target="_blank">ripcurl.asia</a></strong>. Fans can also visit the site to check the latest Padang swell forecast from official event forecaster Surfline, real-time contest status, and video updates from Bali.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>RIP CURL CUP PADANG PADANG 2018 EVENT SCHEDULE</strong>: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Event Waiting Period</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">July 1st – 31st</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Rip Curl Planet Beach Cleanup</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Friday, June 29th at 8 AM, Padang Padang Beach, Bali</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Opening Ceremony</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sunday, July 1st at 3 PM, Padang Padang Beach, Bali</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. Meet the surfers</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. Press conference</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. Traditional Balinese Kecak Dance</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Official Rip Curl Cup Party</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Friday, July 27th </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Live performance by special guest at Ulu Cliff House</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang 2018 is sponsored by: GoPro, BINTANG, ALBENS CIDER, S RESORT HIDDEN VALLEY, ULUWATU CLIFF HOUSE and official internet provider by BIZNET.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Media partners: SurfTime and <strong><a href="http://balibelly.com/" target="_blank">BaliBelly.com</a></strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Official Surf Forecast Partner: <strong><a href="https://www.surfline.com/" target="_blank">www.surfline.com</a></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rip Curl is proud to support Project Clean Uluwatu, the non-profit organization working to keep Bali’s beaches clean and safe.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>About The Rip Curl Cup</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Rip Curl Cup Invitational at Padang Padang is Indonesia’s longest-running and most prestigious surfing competition, and the only World Surf League invitational contest featuring the world’s greatest tuberiders alongside Indonesia’s best. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 2018 Rip Curl Cup features one of the most exclusive fields in professional surfing: just 16 invited surfers – eight of Indonesia’s finest and eight of the world’s elite. The official invite list will be announced to the world on June 18th. The limited number of surfer invitations ensures this will be a “one-day, one-swell” event, increasing the likelihood of spectacular conditions and incredible performances. When official forecast partner Surfline alerts contest directors of an ideal Padang swell lining up in the Indian Ocean, the green light will be given and competitors will have 24-hours to make it to Bali’s Bukit Peninsula. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The waiting period for the 2018 Rip Curl Cup spans an entire month, from July 1-31st, during the peak of Indonesia’s prime swell season, providing the event with the highest chance of scoring the spitting green barrels the Balinese Pipeline is world-famous for.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With an exciting lineup of invitees including Mason Ho (HAW), Jay Davies (AUS), Damien Hobgood (USA) and Jack Robinson (AUS) lining up to take on reigning two-time champion and local kingpin Mega Semadhi (IND) and the rest of the Indonesian contingent, surf fans will be excited to get online and view all the action when Padang Padang turns on. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 2018 Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang will be webcast live to the world at <strong><a href="https://www.ripcurl.asia/en/" target="_blank">ripcurl.asia</a></strong>. Fans can also visit the site to check real-time contest status and video updates from </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>