Tucker Wooding has a lot to work with when it comes to highlight reels. Photo: Tucker Wooding//YouTube
When it comes to putting together a highlight reel, surf videographer Tucker Wooding has an embarrassment of riches to work with. He’s been pretty much everywhere, from the crushing jaws of Pe’ahi, to the yawing tubes at Teahupo’o, to the towering monstrosities at Nazaré. In a recent post to YouTube, Wooding decided to put together a supercut of what he considers the best clips from his entire career (so far).
The big names are all there, from North Shore phenom John John Florence, to multi-hyphenate waterman Kai Lenny, to Teahupo’o wunderkind Eimeo Czermak. However, of all the surfers who made the cut, Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca appears more than anyone else. That’s hardly a surprise, though, as Chumbo has a strong claim to being the undisputed king of Nazaré, the most spectacular big wave in the world.
The list also reinforces Wooding’s long-stated love of, Pe’ahi, aka Jaws. The break makes many appearances on the list, backing up previous statements from Wooding that the spot is not only a personal favorite, but the best in the world. “I’d say it’s the best big wave in the world,” Wooding told The Inertia in an interview. “Nazare is fun, but it’s kind of chaotic and a weird monster. Maverick’s is special too, but I’d say Jaws is my favorite wave to shoot.”
Here’s the full list:
15. John John Florence – Pipeline (January 21st, 2022)
14. Luke Shepardson – Waimea Bay (The Eddie)
13. Jojo Roper – Maverick’s (December 28th, 2023)
12. Lucas Chianca – Cortes bank (January 12th, 2023)
11. Albee Layer – Jaws (January 25th, 2023)
10. Matahi Drollet – Teahupo’o (April 30th, 2023)
9. Torrey Meister – Jaws (January 11th, 2023)
8. Lucas Chianca – Nazare (November, 7th, 2022)
7. Kai Lenny – Jaws (January 16th, 2021)
6. Lucas Chianca – Teahupo’o (April 30th, 2023)
5. Albee Layer – Jaws (October 18th, 2023)
4. Jai Glindeman – Cloudbreak (March 7th, 2024)
3. Billy Kemper – Jaws (January 11th, 2023)
2. Eimeo Czermak – Teahupo’o (April 29th, 2023)
1. Soli Bailey – Cloudbreak (March 7th, 2024)
