Puffing out vast clouds of smoke, doing vape tricks, and trying out different flavors—vaping has now become a fun hobby for young adults to explore. However, did you know that there are actual vaping competitions to see who can conjure the most creative clouds of vapor?

Commonly known as cloud chasing, this activity can serve as a pastime for casual vapers or a way to compete for more serious ones. If you’re intrigued by the idea, let this article be your quick guide to the sport of competitive vaping.

What is Cloud Chasing?

Cloud chasing, otherwise known as “Sub-Ohm vaping,” “stunt vaping,” or “extreme vaping,” is a vape competition defined as “the art of producing gigantic clouds of vapor.” Vaping culture is innately DIY, and its origins could be traced back to the U.K. and U.S. Vapers modify their vaporizers to better align with their preferred vaping experience, usually changing it for more intense flavors or a more potent hit. For cloud chasers, these vaporizer mods are necessary for them to be able to blow denser clouds of vapor.

Cloud chasing was born out of a $1 billion a year industry. Two professional leagues were established—the International Cloud Championships in California and the World Series of Vape in Las Vegas. Would-be heroes who compete in these two events can win upwards of $2000. A hobby once done for fun and recreation became a full-blown sport in no time.

Does Cloud Chasing Give Vaping a Bad Name?

The sport of cloud chasing has been a contentious subject among professional vapers and veteran e-cigarette users. While cloud chasing is a fun way to compete and pass the time, it may not be aligned with why some people start vaping in the first place.

Vaping is sighted as a safer alternative to smoking, encouraging chain-smokers to kick the habit by using vaporizers instead of cigarettes. However, long-time vapers have alleged that some vaping newcomers would distastefully blow big fog clouds in public, giving the vaping community a somewhat tainted reputation.

While the industry has exerted so much effort to ensure that vaping can provide smokers a safer alternative to cigarettes, some find cloud chasing counterintuitive. If you’re looking to live a healthier lifestyle and be smoke-free, several people will discourage you from cloud chasing.

However, if you have a strong intent to try it out, you must familiarize yourself with higher voltage batteries and the types of vaporizers for safety reasons.

How to Get Started with Cloud Chasing: 6 Factors to Consider

There are several factors you need to consider before beginning in this sport.

1. Battery safety and Ohm’s Law

Vaping veterans always encourage beginners to use the safest batteries possible, the Sony VTC6A, Molicel P26A, and LG 18650, to name a few. Battery safety is a serious issue and should not be taken lightly; proper research is vital as safety always comes first.

Additionally, abide by Ohm’s Law, which states that the amount of steady current through materials must be directly proportional to the potential difference or voltage. Understanding Ohm’s Law is essential before adjusting to the resistance and wattage of a vape device.

2. Airflow technique

Combining airflow and resistance without overheating the mod is critical—lower resistance equates to more airflow. However, too much airflow thins out vapor or dispenses it. The airflow should be at its most open setting to achieve immense vapor clouds for the used atomizer.

3. E-Juice

To anyone who wants to vape, have a healthy blend of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) to avoid a harsh throat and experience a lighter sensation. However, cloud-chasers require a VG-heavy e-juice because it is a thicker liquid, thus resulting in denser clouds.

Read: Vape Juices Explained: What Are They Made Of?

A sub-ohm tank with PG-dominant blends is not recommended due to its potential of causing a “dry hit” or sore throat.

4. Atomizer

A rebuildable drip atomizer (RDA) for competitive cloud chasers is essential for their builds. RDAs with airflow control are recommended for maximum vapor production.

5. Coil build

Cloud chasing boils down to coil builds. Lower coil resistance leads to more significant clouds. Specialist coils like a Juggernaut, Clapton, and Alien Wire are excellent choices for cloud chasing due to their larger surface area than a traditional single-coil.

Specialist coils benefit cloud chasers because when firing a vape device, all the excess e-juice hiding in the corners of a tank evaporates in one hit, producing a lot more vapor than a standard single-core wire.

6. Mods

There are two types to consider when choosing your mods: regulated and mechanical. Most cloud chasers opt for mechanical mods due to their excellent air holes, raw power, and connectivity.

However, mechanical mods are not for beginners because their use requires extensive knowledge of Ohm’s law and battery safety. They do not have a safety feature and can trigger an electrical short.

On Cloud Nine

From being an alternative to smoking cigarettes or a simple hobby to enjoy with friends to being an actual competitive professional sport, vaping has evolved mightily.

While watching professional cloud chasers blow massive amounts of vapor that engulfs the air is fun, there are still risks involved and a lot to consider. Keep these tips in mind if you’re looking to enter the world of professional cloud chasing.

For all the aspiring cloud chasers and vapers out there, be sure to visit RELX Club and check out our wide selection of RELX Vapes and other quality vaping needs.