During the Globe Sebastian Inlet Pro, five surfers started their New Year right. Thanks to Red Bull 5X, these pros went head to head flying through the air and carving waves off Florida’s famous coastline. The Red Bull 5X is the ultimate surfing pick-up game. Five surfers throw $5 each into a hat, and judge themselves on progression-inspired criteria. They evaluate each surfer’s torque-the most impressive maneuver; boost-biggest air; push-the most creative approach; combo-the ability to link together moves; and mojo-overall domination in the water. Winner walks with the $25 pot. Nonetheless, the best surfers on the planet can only do so much with average surf, and Florida’s contestable surf, waist to chest-high, was hardly opening doors for earth-shattering performance. So, we decided to blow those doors off with the first ever Red Bull 5X Tow-At on Tuesday, January 4th. The assembled juggernauts each flicked an Andrew Jackson into the hat and were each allotted two ten minute sessions, towed by pilots Jeremy Saukel and Matt Kechle. This was the first ever tow-at competition, and the RB5X format lent itself seamlessly to the event. The Tow-At bought a new element to the format. Surfers first used the assistance of personal watercraft fifteen years ago, towing-in to giant waves. In the past several years, surfers have begun towing at waves, using the enhanced speed to perform acrobatics that had been previously impossible. Slung into waves at 20 to 25 miles per hour by the RB5X Sea Doos, the surfers would be bringing torque, boost, and push to new levels, while testing their combo and mojo abilities. Several surfers, having never towed before, were eager to loose their virginity to the Sea Doo. As Saukel whipped them into their first waves, the assembled crowd stood to watch the monumental event. Creative surfers at chest-high Sebastian Inlet is exciting, inject 300 horses of power …and it’s electrifying. Minutes into Adam Wickwire’s session, Saukel flung him at a frontside section. As Wickwire vaulted off the lip, his board spontaneously combusted, leaving the young pro floating though the air with the shrapnel. Florida hasn’t seen that kind of drama since the 2000 Election. Rider Ian Parnell had trouble finding rhythm, but would eventually punt a frontside air that took him nearly fifteen linear feet. Ola Eleogram managed some linkage, even popping a clean shuvit on the inside. Jeremy Johnston came out guns blazing, landing a graceful frontside air and displacing massive amounts of water. The second round reached new levels of mind-bending action, as Matt Kechle, Florida tow-at pioneer, was able to read waves and effectively communicate with the surfers. Ben Bourgeois, chaffed at missing the ASP’s World Championship Tour by one slot, left a thick layer of mojo down on the water with every tow. Bourgeios began with a conservative approach, but soon he was leaning into filthy gouges and comboing stylish rides. His experience with tow-at surfing was clear. He restrained from hitting the first section, instead using it to control his speed and then launching mind-bending spins. Bourgeois made a concerted effort to keep his composure in the air, landing his monster boosts. When the final horn had sounded, it was clear that the crowd was impressed. On Wednesday night, the five surfers convened at a local barbeque. After enjoying the warm Florida twilight, they took to the couch to watch an edited version of their RB5X session, which had been shot by five different cameras, and you know how that goes. Rewind …slow-mo …rewind …hoots and jests, just five surfers watching their session. After it was all said and done, all agreed that Ben Bourgeois, for his high-flying surfing, should walk with the whooping $25.