Launch of Virtual Competitions: APP Fast Track and APP Ride of the Season

July 1st marks the launch of APP’s virtual world tour for both racers and surfers with the all-new, Instagram-based #APPRideoftheSeason and #APPFastTrack. Until the 31st August amateurs and pros alike have the opportunity to show us what they have got to make it on a trip of a lifetime for a final showdown. Full details about both competitions and the prizes can be found below:

APP Ride of the Season: The Road to Cascais

Entries are now open for both APP athletes and weekend warriors alike to submit action clips of single waves from anywhere across the world to be considered for APP's Ride of the Season. The entry process is simple and free: 

1. Upload the action clip (of a single wave) to the surfer's own Instagram account, with entry secured by including #apprideoftheseason

2. For weekend warriors, entry to this division is the same, except that in addition to the hashtag above, entrants should also include #unsponsored to be entered into the correct category

3. There is no maximum number of entries surfers can submit

4. Performance surfing will determine the winners over the calibre of the wave (it is clear that waves will vary greatly across the world and athletes will be restricted to what they have accessible to them, so the criteria focuses on performance and progression rather than quality of wave)

Shortlist to be determined by Instagram likes:

A shortlist of submissions will be created by assessing number of likes, so all entrants are incentivized to promote their submission in every way that they can in order to be considered for the shortlist. Guidelines from the APP's elite panel of Judges and advice from Top Pros will follow @appworldtour and appworldtour.com over the coming days and weeks, as the public will become the judges of this global showdown.

Highlights from standout entries and performances will be showcased each week through the two month contest period, as athletes will not be restricted to 25 minute heats and traditional contest parameters, but instead, they will be free to push their limits and strive for the best possible performance to earn their spot in the prestigious Cascais All Stars.

The Road to Cascias:

The final shortlist of athletes will be determined at the close of the contest period (August 31st) and submitted to the APP World Tour's global judges for consideration and final selection.

The Top 3 Men and Women in the Pro division and the Top Man and Women in the #Unsponsored Division will then earn their place on the prestigious Cascais All Stars, to be held in October in Cascais, Portugal. This will be a trip of a lifetime, and an adventure in progression and performance, as the assembled Contenders will explore Portugal's wave rich coastline during its golden season in a unique athlete judged showdown to remember (more details to be released over the coming weeks).

APP Fast Track

The contest period for #APPFastTrack also opens today giving all entrants a two month window to submit their fastest speed over a 50m distance, with all counting runs to be verified by GPS reading and video capture.

This competition is open to both Pros and weekend warriors (#unsponsored) alike, with all entrants to be placed into a dynamic leaderboard that will be continuously updated with the fastest times and names to determine who is in the lead at the end of each week.

Like #APPrideoftheseason, the entry process is simple and free:

1. Upload a screenshot of your GPS reading together with the clip of your run to your own instagram account, securing your entry by including #appfasttrack

2. For local heroes and weekend warriors, entry to this division is the same, except that in addition to the above hashtag, entrants should also include #unsponsored to be entered into the correct category

3. There is no maximum number of entries participants can submit so all participants can keep recording runs until the close of the contest period to ensure that their fastest time possible is included.

Highlights and dynamic leaderboard to tell the story:

Regular highlights of the fastest runs together with color commentary from the APP's very own Sports Director, Anthony Vela will be aired on appworldtour.com and @appworldtour and the dynamic leaderboard at appworldtour.com will provide a continually updated picture of who is on top and who is the man or woman to beat!

All Stars Showdown to be announced for the fastest entrants:

At the close of competition, the 3 fastest Pro Men and Women and Fastest #Unsponsored Man and Woman will be selected for a prestigous final speed showdown at a venue to be announced. This All Stars event will be a showcase of the fastest racing in the sport as the APP World Tour remains committed to the sport's progression and creating unique and inclusive experiences for all.

Stay tuned to appworldtour.com and @appworldtour as entries start to pour in and highlights are published, as we prepare to witness a new generation of talent and a new wave of entertainment here on the APP World Tour.