Dubbed an “anti-surf contest, surf contest,” it’s not about catching the best waves, but about having the most fun.

Red Bull and Catch Surf are coming back to San Clemente for the second year for the Red Bull Foam Wreckers at T-Street on Saturday, Aug. 13 — an event that puts a spotlight on foam soft-top boards, a type of surfboard once seen as for beginners or novices but now has gained in popularity among the surf masses.

Jamie O’Brien — a Hawaiian surfer who was once a fixture on the competitive scene but is now more popular for his social media surf videos — helped popularize the soft-top boards by taking them to big, bombing surf breaks like Pipeline on the North Shore and the Wedge in Newport Beach.

“The whole soft board movement is so fun, and the relatability of people surfing carefree is so appealing, Red Bull Foam Wreckers channels that energy,” O’Brien said in a press release. “We’re so amped to bring this back to San Clemente this year.”

There are few rules during the heats, which showcase surfers with various skill levels. Last year, there were even big inflatable flamingos surfed on, a crowd favorite.

Catch Surf, a San Clemente company that launched its line of soft-top boards in 2007 and now has stores in Laguna and Malibu, will also have team riders Ben Gravy, Kalani Robb, and Blair Conklin on hand to do autograph signings and hand out free swag.

“Red Bull Foam Wreckers is the best thing to ever happen to surfing. Period,” Gravy said. “It’s not about being the best one out there, it’s about just being yourself and sharing the stoke of surfing with your community.”

The Red Bull Foam Wreckers event series goes to 10 surf breaks across the country through October.

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