Flying there, they arent rich but Ripcurl sponser them with private jets ,jet skis etc etc.They have houses they buy localy all over the world so they can hang for a few days at these out of the way spots.Red bull sponser some of them too.as do Billabong.
So its a race.They have medics with them oxygen masks the whole kit n caboodle all on stand by.
People do die they've lost two men in about 5 years sometimes they just dont surface .