Stab High Japan 2024 – What Really Happened In Shizunami?

Stab High Japan, presented by Monster Energy, is a surf contest that celebrates the many different arts of flight. Rather than having competitors connect relatively similar directional changes for a score, the emphasis was on single, explosive aerial maneuvers. Our 2024 edition took place at PerfectSwell Shizunami in Shizunami, Japan, on Saturday, June 22nd, and Sunday, June 23rd, with a live broadcast beaming to the earth’s every corner. With support from YETI, there were three divisions this year: Mens, Ladybirds (15-and-under girls), and Bottle Rockets (15-and-under boys). Additionally, the Monster Air Award was won by the surfer who performed the most impactful air of the event, regardless of division. All of our competitors had several chances to land their best airs on PerfectSwell Shizunami’s ‘High Ball’ air section, which past Stab High winner Chippa Wilson has called, “probably the best section yet.” Surfers’ creativity will be expressed in the form of different grabs, rotations, altitudes and styles, so we brought a wide range of judges with aerial expertise to sort through it all, including Nathan Fletcher, Kolohe Andino, Dion Agius, Wade Goodall, and Lee Wilson. Additionally, the commentary team was filled with some of our favorite voices in surfing, including Dane Reynolds, Shane Dorian, Vaughan Blakey, and fStace Gilbraith, with Damien Fahrenfort, Victoria Vergara, and Hughie Vaughan on the sidelines. There were 36 surfers in the Pro division, 10 Ladybirds, and 10 Bottle Rockets. Pro Division: Chippa Wilson Ian Crane Harry Bryant Noah Beschen Julian Wilson Matt Meola Mikey Wright Noa Deane Robbie McCormick Luke Swanson Mason Ho Ivan Florence Shun Murakami Eli Beukes Levi Slawson Dakoda Walters Shaun Manners Albee Layer Joel Vaughan Parker Coffin …and more Ladybirds presented by YETI: Patti Zhou Zoey Kaina Kiara Goold Tya Zebrowski Maddie Stanton …and more Bottle Rockets presented by YETI: Cruz Dinofa Arthur Vilar Ryji Masuda Loci Cullen Zacky Taylor Caden Francis …and more Stab High Japan, presented by Monster Energy, was supported by YETI, Skullcandy, Sun Bum, Sambazon, and GoPro.