Let’s pray the incoming swell looks a little like this…let’s also pray you’re never stuck inside with a skyscraper of water headed your way like Greg Long was here in 2013. Photo: @acl_cinema
As 17-year-old Jack Robinson dominated his Round 4 heat at Sunset Beach, the announcers took a break from the usual broadcast to break some BIG news. The World Surf League big wave commissioner and Mavericks legend Peter Mel stood on the beach and announced that the Pe’ahi Challenge will run this Sunday. It will be the first time a WSL Big Wave event has been held at Maui’s infamous Jaws.
“Not only will this be a historic event at one of the most renowned waves on the planet, but we’re excited to be broadcasting it live for surf fans around the world,” Pete Mel said in a statement. The buoy readings are really strong and look to be well above the minimum requirement for a Big Wave event in the 35-to-45 foot range.”
Makua Rothman, the reigning champ of the 2014 Big Wave Tour, heads into the event as the number one seed. He’ll be joined at Jaws by some of the world’s best XXL chargers including Nathan Fletcher, Mark Healey, Alex Gray, and many more. They entire Big Wave Tour is undoubtedly frothing through gritted teeth to tackle Jaws in the first WSL contest to be held there ever.
“The first-ever big wave paddle-in event at Pe’ahi is about to become quite possibly the most impactful contest ever to be held in the short history of our sport,” Gary Linden, Big Wave Tour VP, said. “It has been a very long road with a lot of curves along the way but patience is golden and I am sure we will be rewarded for the wait.”
Live broadcast from Maui will begin on Sunday, December 6th at 7 am local time.
