Caption: Lucas Chianca (BRA) earned his career-first Big Wave Tour victory at the Nazaré Challenge today. 
Credit: © WSL /  Justes

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NAZARÉ, Portugal (Sunday, February 11, 2018) - Lucas "Chumbo" Chianca (BRA) won the World Surf League (WSL) Big Wave Tour (BWT) Nazaré Challenge today after incredible performances at the Praia do Norte (North Beach) big-wave break in Nazaré, Portugal. 

The second-ever BWT event at Nazaré ran over two days after dangerous conditions threatened the competitors following the opening heats on Saturday. Big Wave Tour Commissioner Mike Parsons, alongside the judging panel, rated conditions a Bronze coefficient with wave faces in the 25-to-35-foot category. 

Competing in his second-ever BWT event, Chianca earned his first Finals appearance and first BWT win today after dominating the competitive 24-man field, made up of the world’s best male big wave surfers. The 22-year-old demonstrated command over Nazaré’s powerful waves and challenging whitewater speeds to climb up to World No. 5 on the Big Wave Tour rankings.  


Caption: En route to his Nazaré Challenge victory today, Lucas Chianca (BRA) swept all three of his heats. 
Credit: © WSL /  Masurel

“I am stoked to win this event,” Chianca said. “Thank you to everyone for all of their support. I am grateful to win this event and all these guys competing are so crazy and inspiring. It was hard because when you get the call for BWT events, it is at the last minute. We flew here as soon as we got the call, were a bit tired, and then just went straight into the competition the next day. The waves yesterday were so gnarly and scary. And then today, we were on again. I am super stoked. Thank you.” 

The six-man Final witnessed reigning BWT Champion Grant “Twiggy” Baker (ZAF), 2017/2018 Puerto Escondido Challenge winner Kai Lenny (HAW), two-time Pe’ahi Challenge winner Billy Kemper (HAW), and up-and-comers Natxo Gonzalez (EUK), Nathan Florence (HAW), and Chianca go all out for the event win. 

Lenny kicked off the hour-long Final with a low-range score, a 3.83 (out of a possible 10). The next wave of the set saw a split peak between Baker and Chianca. Baker was only able to pick up a 3.50, while Chianca gained control of the heat with an authoritative 7.33. Gonzalez challenged Chianca with two mid-range scores, but the Brazilian punctuated his performance with a solid 6.73. Kemper stayed patient and was able to collect a 4.83 and 4.67 at the end of the heat to surpass Gonzalez, Lenny, Baker, and Florence for second place. 


Caption: Clockwise from top left - Nazaré Challenge finalists Nathan Florence (HAW), Grant Baker (ZAF), Billy Kemper (HAW), Lucas Chianca (BRA), Kai Lenny (HAW), and Natxo Gonzalez (EUK) celebrate their success. 
Credit: © WSL /  Justes

Kemper’s runner-up finish now puts him at World No. 1 on the Big Wave Tour rankings, topping Lenny by only 2,311 points. His recent success, both on the WSL Qualifying Series (QS) and Big Wave Tour, is a testament to his training and commitment to surfing. Not only does Kemper lead the BWT ranks, he recently won the Sunset Open Qualifying Series to put him in second place on the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui Regional QS rankings. 

“I am over the moon right now,” said Kemper. “First and foremost, I want to thank the country of Portugal. All of the people here are absolutely amazing and this place is beautiful. The warm welcome that you give all of us surfers is next to none. I am very thankful. I came here with that goal to make the Final and do as best as I could. Obviously, that was in my mind the whole time, but I just took it heat-by-heat, wave-by-wave. I am very thankful and stoked to end up where I am at.”

Jamie Mitchell (AUS), 2016/2017 Nazaré Challenge winner, was eliminated in the first Semifinal heat along with yesterday’s Round One standouts Alex Botelho (PRT) and Peter Mel (USA). Mitchell fought his way through the six-man lineup but fell just 1.20 points short of advancing to the Final. The Australian currently sits in 6th on the BWT rankings with only 17 days remaining in the tour window. 

Tom Lowe (GBR) attracted international attention after his pencil-dive wipeout from a monstrous Nazaré wave in 2016 and came into this event ready to perform. The surfer from Cornwall proved to be a serious threat with his Round 1 Heat 4 win but could not find the same rhythm to advance out of the Semifinals. Lowe has become a household name with his Top 10 ranking on the WSL Big Wave Tour this season and will exit in 11th place. 

Today’s win marked a first for Chianca, but also a last for his mentor, Carlos Burlé (BRA). A fellow Brazilian who pioneered big-wave surfing and rose to become a BWT Champion, Burlé retired last year but competed at this event as an end-of-career victory lap.The fifty-year-old big wave surfer was eliminated yesterday in Round One Heat 2. 

“I am super stoked to be able to work with Lucas (Chianca) -- such a great talent -- and be able to help the sport still after retiring,” said Burlé. “It has been an amazing life pursuing big waves and watching and witnessing all the building of this beautiful sport that I love so much. What I see for big wave surfing is a bright future. I see a lot of young surfers coming with talent and performance in huge waves. It is going to get better and better as the time passes by.” 

The Mavericks Challenge still has the potential to run before the Big Wave Tour season closes on February 28, 2018. BWT officials will continue to monitor swell systems and weather patterns and will only call the event on when surf reaches the 30-foot-plus mark, mobilizing on 72 hours' notice.

Nazaré Challenge Final Results:
1 - Lucas Chianca (BRA) 19.89
2 - Billy Kemper (HAW) 13.93
3 - Natxo Gonzalez (EUK) 13.83
4 - Kai Lenny (HAW) 13.23
5 - Grant Baker (ZAF) 11.04
6 - Nathan Florence (HAW) 10.89

Nazaré Challenge Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Lucas Chianca (BRA) 14.91, Billy Kemper (HAW) 13.17, Nathan Florence (HAW) 13.13, Alex Botelho (PRT) 12.31,  Jamie Mitchell (AUS) 11.93, Peter Mel (USA) 11.63 
SF 2: Kai Lenny (HAW) 18.70, Natxo Gonzalez (EUK) 17.69, Grant Baker (ZAF) 16.99, Nic von Rupp (PRT) 11.43, Ian Walsh (HAW) 11.04, Tom Lowe (GBR) 10.51

Nazaré Challenge Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Lucas Chianca (BRA) 17.63, Billy Kemper (HAW) 16.33, Nathan Florence (HAW) 14.31, João de Macedo (PRT) 11.56, Hugo Vau (PRT) 9.43, Pedro Calado (BRA) 7.13
Heat 2: Peter Mel (USA) 15.43, Alex Botelho (PRT) 14.23,  Jamie Mitchell (AUS) 9.66, Tom Butler (GBR) 3.14, Carlos Burlé (BRA) 0.00, Aaron Gold (HAW) 0.00
Heat 3: Nic von Rupp (PRT) 20.23, Kai Lenny (HAW) 20.23, Natxo Gonzalez (EUK) 17.57,  Francisco Porcella (ITA) 14.11, Cristian Merello (CHL) 12.77, Makuakai Rothman (HAW) 11.39 
Heat 4: Tom Lowe (GBR) 15.10, Grant Baker (ZAF) 13.84, Ian Walsh (HAW) 12.90, Nic Lamb (USA) 11.43, Antonio Silva (PRT) 6.06, Kealii Mamala (HAW) 5.00

WSL Men’s BWT Rankings Top 5 (following Nazaré Challenge):
1 - Billy Kemper (HAW) 27,140 pts
2 - Kai Lenny (HAW) 24, 829 pts
3 - Ian Walsh (HAW) 17,757 pts
4 - Makuakai Rothman (HAW) 14,123 pts
5 - Lucas Chianca (BRA) 13,331 pts

Caption: World Surf League (WSL) Big Wave Tour (BWT) is placing the Nazaré Challenge in Nazaré, Portugal on Green Alert to commence on Saturday, February 10, 2018.
Credit: © WSL /  Masurel

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NAZARÉ, Portugal (Wednesday, February 7, 2018) - The World Surf League (WSL) Big Wave Tour (BWT) is placing the Nazaré Challenge in Nazaré, Portugal on Green Alert to commence on Saturday, February 10, 2018. Praia do Norte (North Beach), a break notorious for its powerful waves and dangerous whitewater speeds, has seen monstrous waves this season and now event organizers are tracking conditions favorable enough to run the highly-anticipated competition.  

“We are excited about what we are seeing at Nazaré,” said Mike Parsons, WSL Big Wave Tour Commissioner. “We are calling the WSL Nazaré Challenge ON for this Saturday, February 10. With a solid swell coming from the NW, we are looking at around 9-to-12 feet of deepwater swell that will translate to 25-to-35 foot faces by mid-morning and potentially pushing 40 feet later in the day. There is potential that the winds might come up when we run, so we plan to start early in the morning and finish before it comes up too high.”

The second-ever Nazaré Challenge in Portugal will see the world’s best take on some of the heaviest waves in the world. Defending event winner Jamie Mitchell (AUS) and the men’s big wave field will be put to the ultimate test as they battle the infamous break that has long been considered inaccessible to paddle-in-surfing. Kai Lenny (HAW), current Big Wave Tour rankings leaders, will look to improve his 13th place finish at Nazaré. 

The 2017/2018 WSL Big Wave Tour has completed its first two events of the season with Lenny winning the Puerto Escondido Challenge in Mexico, and Ian Walsh (HAW) and Paige Alms (HAW) taking out the Pe’ahi Challenge in Hawaii.  

Formed in 2009, the Big Wave Tour joined the WSL in 2014 and has produced historic performances at never-before-contested venues such as Nazaré in Portugal and Pe'ahi on Maui's North Shore. Monitoring swell systems and weather patterns throughout the season, the Big Wave Tour only runs events when surf reaches the 30-foot-plus mark, mobilizing on 72 hours' notice with an international field of Big Wave men's and women's athletes.

Surfline, Official Forecasters for the 2017/2018 Nazaré Challenge, are calling for:

XL to possibly XXL NW swell is developing for Nazare on Saturday the 10th thanks to a strong, double-barreled area of low pressure now stretching over Greenland. Model guidance indicates that wind of 40-45 knots will develop in this fetch over the next 12-24 hours, with seas of 35-40 feet also expected to develop just east of Greenland.

At this point, we’ll look for building, longer period NW swell through the morning on Saturday, with 20-35’+ faces. The swell looks to peak from around midday and hold over the afternoon with solid 25-35’+ faces and occasional sets to 40’+ faces. There will also be some short period NW swell running in the morning, which will give the surf at least somewhat of a jumbled feel, but that short period swell will ease through the day. 

Wind, while not ideal, does look manageable. Offshore to side-offshore flow from the NE to NNE is currently expected in the morning in the 10-15 knot range, trending to side shore north at 15 knots+ from late morning through the afternoon.

The 2017/2018 WSL Big Wave Tour is proudly supported by Corona, the Official Beer of the Big Wave Tour (excluding the US), and Quiksilver Airlift, the Official Inflatable Vest of the 2017/2018 Big Wave Tour.

The 2017/2018 Nazaré Challenge competitor list will be released closer to the event start. Please check back at WorldSurfLeague.com for updates. 

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com. 

Caption: The WSL BWT Mavericks Challenge competition window will open on January 3, 2018. 
Credit: Braino

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HALF MOON BAY, California/USA (Thursday, December 14, 2017) - The World Surf League (WSL) is pleased to announce the official competition window of the Mavericks Challenge will run from January 3, 2018 through February 28, 2018. Following coordination with the governmental agencies involved with the production of the event and having now received approval of the Mavericks Challenge event plan by the California Coastal Commission, the WSL is excited to be able to open the window for the event immediately following the holiday blackout dates. 

“We are thrilled to open the competition window for the Mavericks Challenge,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, WSL CEO. “Mavericks is a special location that adds a new level to the Big Wave Tour schedule. Hosting the women’s event at Mavericks was always a priority for us when we acquired the event. We are excited and ready to bring the Mavericks Challenge to the international stage for our fans to enjoy.“

The WSL’s acquisition of the permit for the contest was finalized in October following an agreement with Titans of Mavericks and Cartel Management, in which the world-famous Mavericks in Northern California will join WSL Big Wave Tour through 2021. Surfing competitions have run under various structures at Mavericks since 1999 and the event last ran in 2016, won by Nic Lamb (USA).

“Mavericks is the crown jewel of Big Wave surfing and the tour,” said Lamb. “It’s the only California big wave venue on the tour and perhaps the most feared. I'm excited at the direction we're headed. It was only a matter of time for the women. I couldn't be more excited to watch those heats and I'll definitely be front row glued to the action.”

The Mavericks Challenge will form part of the 2017/18 BWT Northern Hemisphere Season. The men’s division will consist of a 24-man field, comprised of the Top 10 finishers of the 2016/2017 BWT season, 6 event wildcards, 3 BWT wildcards, 1 injury wildcard, and the Top 4 Surfline Overall Performance of the Year Award recipients. The 6 event wildcards for the Mavericks Challenge will be selected by a committee made up of Mavericks legends and experts. 

“Having the addition of the Mavericks event on the Big Wave Tour is a huge thing for the men and women,” said Paige Alms (HAW), 2017 Pe’ahi Challenge winner and 2016 Women’s Big Wave Champion. “It's going to be an amazing opportunity to see another big wave spot, one of the best in the world, and have an empty lineup with the best surfers, best conditions and the best waves. Mavericks is a really perfect wave and one of the most powerful big waves in the world. With the inclusion of Mavericks as a part of the tour, I think fans will be seeing some of the best big waves ridden, hopefully the conditions are just all-time. We will see some of the best waves ridden there and also some of the most heavy wipeouts, people really like to push themselves over the ledge there."

The world's best female big wave surfers will also have the opportunity to compete at Mavericks this upcoming season for the first time ever. The WSL Commissioner's Office has worked with a local committee made up of Mavericks surfing icons to select six of the best female big wave surfers. The committee considered performance results from the 2016 WSL Big Wave Awards, experience surfing at Mavericks, and overall big wave experience at all big wave locations around the world.

“The addition of Mavericks on this year’s Big Wave Tour will ensure that the tour has the three most challenging big waves on the planet with Peahi, Nazaré and now Mavericks,” said Mike Parsons, WSL BWT Commissioner. “Mavericks is the most challenging big wave on the west coast and is unique in how intense and steep the takeoff is. The event will undoubtedly challenge the world's best men and female surfers like no other wave. This will be a fantastic moment for women’s big wave surfing. The best female big wave surfers will get to showcase their skills on the heaviest wave on the west coast.” 

The 2017/2018 WSL Big Wave Tour has completed its first two events of the season with Kai Lenny (HAW) winning the Puerto Escondido Challenge in Mexico and Ian Walsh (HAW) and Paige Alms (HAW) taking out the Pe’ahi Challenge. 

Formed in 2009, the Big Wave Tour joined the WSL in 2014, producing historic performances at never-before-contested venues such as Nazaré in Portugal and Pe'ahi on Maui's North Shore. Monitoring swell systems and weather patterns throughout the season, the Big Wave Tour only runs events when surf reaches the 30-foot-plus mark, mobilizing on 72 hours' notice with an international field of Big Wave men's and women's athletes.

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com. 

2017/18 BWT Men’s Mavericks Challenge Competitors:

WSL Big Wave Tour Top Ten Seeds
Grant Baker
Pedro Calado
Greg Long
Jamie Mitchell
Billy Kemper
Nic Lamb
Will Skudin
João De Macedo
Cristian Merello
Kai Lenny

Injury Wildcard
Makuakai Rothman

BWA Performer of the Year Qualifiers
Lucas Chianca
Francisco Porcella
Tom Lowe
Peter Mel

Mavericks Event Invitees
Travis Payne
Tyler Fox
Anthony Tashnick
Ben Andrews
Jason Stark
Pat Shaughnessy

WSL Big Wave Tour Invitees
Three to be selected on Green Light

BWA Performer of the Year Invitee Alternates
Nathan Florence
Alex Botelho
Jojo Roper

Mavericks Event Invitee Alternates
Ben Wilkinson
Nathan Fletcher 
Ryan Seelbach
Matt Becker
Colin Dwyer
Luca Padua


2017/18 BWT Women’s Mavericks Challenge Competitors:

Invitees: 
Paige Alms
Keala Kennelly
Justine Dupont
Bianca Valenti
Sarah Gerhardt
Emily Erickson

Alternates:
Jamilah Star
Andrea Moller
Wrenna Delgado
 

Caption: Paige Alms (HAW) earned back-to-back victories today at the Women's Pe'ahi Challenge. 
Credit: © WSL / Saguibo

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PE’AHI, Maui, Hawaii/USA (Saturday, October 28, 2017) - Paige Alms (HAW) and Ian Walsh (HAW) have won the World Surf League (WSL) Big Wave Tour (BWT) Pe'ahi Challenge today in towering 30-to-40 foot-plus conditions at the world famous Pe‘ahi in Haiku, Maui, Hawaii. 

The second event of the 2017/2018 BWT season tested the top big wave chargers as a solid swell delivered massive surf over two days at Pe’ahi with wave faces exceeding 45 feet. Event officials have rated this year’s Pe’ahi Challenge a Gold coefficient, the highest possible BWT rating, which will allocate 15,625 points to first place. 

2016 Women’s Big Wave Champion Alms successfully defended her event title today after defeating a stacked field of competitors in the Final. Alms, who became the first ever Women’s Big Wave Champion at Pe’ahi last season, made history once again with her unprecedented big wave victory. 

“I feel so grateful to be able to sit out in an empty lineup at firing, perfect Jaws,” Alms said. “It doesn’t get much better than that. Every single one of the women today sent it on a bomb. There were big waves out there and I was kind of kicking myself for not going on one set, but I just feel super stoked and honored.” 

The Women’s Pe’ahi Challenge saw all six competitors charge monstrous set waves in the 60-minute Final. Alms stayed selective throughout the Final, utilizing her local knowledge to take off on two gigantic waves for the winning score, an excellent 21.23 combined score (out of a possible 30). 

“Anyone that says they're not scared of this place, I think they’re lying,” continued Alms. “I think it’s the most powerful and intimidating big wave anywhere in the world, by far. I definitely look up to Ian (Walsh) and I’m super stoked that he won it. We couldn’t have asked for anything more - it definitely put on a show so thanks Pe’ahi!”

Big wave veteran Keala Kennelly (HAW) earned second place in the women’s event with four fearless attempts. Kennelly turned in a 17.21 heat score, including an impressive completion for a 7.17 single-wave score. Justine Dupont (FRA) looked in great form with three big attempts and took the third place result. Bianca Valenti (USA), Andrea Moller (BRA) and Felicity Palmateer (AUS) also charged the epic conditions to earn fourth, fifth and sixth place, respectively. 


Caption: Ian Walsh (HAW) earned his first Big Wave Tour victory at the Men's Pe'ahi Challenge. 
Credit: © WSL / Hallman

Walsh earned his career-first BWT victory after dominating his Round 1 heat and the Final series. The 34-year-old, who was invited to compete as an event wildcard, capitalized on his opportunity to earn first place at his home break in Haiku and vault up to third place on the BWT rankings. 

“This is a really big honor and I'm stoked that I can follow Billy (Kemper) and keep this thing on Maui,” said Walsh. “It was an incredible couple days of surfing, some challenging lulls but everyone here surfed really, really well and it was a pleasure to be in the water with them. It was fun to watch each heat almost, our sport progress as the waves got bigger and better. It feels just like those big free surf days, so I'm really honored and stoked."

The men’s Final saw heated battles amongst the top six competitors. 2014/15 BWT ChampionMakuakai Rothman (HAW) gained an early lead with a 5.60, but the field quickly battled back with big attempts. Two-time Pe’ahi Challenge winner Billy Kemper (HAW) opened his campaign with a committed 5.43 and maintained his do-or-die mentality after taking off impossibly deep on an enormous wave for a 6.57 backup score. 

Kai Lenny (HAW), winner of the Puerto Escondido Challenge and BWT rankings frontrunner ahead of Maui, narrowly missed a collision with Ryan Hipwood (AUS) in the Final after committing to an under-the-ledge late drop into a 35-foot wave. Lenny managed to successfully ride out his first wave and stamp out a rail-carve for a 6.93 from the judges, then found a 4.40 backup score to finish fourth in the event. Lenny’s result strengthens his lead on the BWT with Kemper following closely behind and Walsh moving up to third. 

Big wave veteran and Pe‘ahi professional Greg Long (USA) displayed good control throughout the event and maintained deep positioning in the lineup during the Final. En route to a fifth-place finish, Long took a high-line approach on his first wave in a barrel-hunt attempt and completed two rides to the channel for a combined heat score of 14.67. 

The men’s second Semifinal saw event-best performances from both Walsh and Hipwood. Both surfers dropped Perfect 10’s for navigating steep takeoffs and cavernous barrels, with Walsh flying through two tube sections prior to winning the event. 

Ahead of his runner-up result, Kemper narrowly got the edge over Danilo Couto (BRA) andMark Healey (HAW) in Semifinal 1. Knowing Healey’s capabilities at Pe‘ahi, Kemper stayed close to the 35-year-old waterman in order to secure his position in the Final. Couto kept busy on the left-hand breaks, but fell just 0.57 points short of advancing through to the Final and will exit in Equal 7th place. 

Highlights from the Pe’ahi Challenge can be found at WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL app and on the WSL’s Facebook page. 

The 2017/2018 WSL Big Wave Tour season is divided into Southern Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere components. The Southern Hemisphere window saw the completion of the Puerto Escondido Challenge earlier this year. The Northern Hemisphere window opened on October 15 and will run through February 28, 2018, with the potential to run the Nazaré Challenge in Portugal and the Mavericks Challenge in California. 

WSL Big Wave Tour officials will monitor swell producing storms for the next four months and watch for the conditions that will produce waves in the 30-to-60-foot range for the remaining Northern Hemisphere events. Once the call is made, competitors will have 72 hours notice to be ready to compete.

2017/18 BWT Women's Pe'ahi Challenge Final Results:
1 - Paige Alms (HAW) 21.23
2 - Keala Kennelly (HAW) 17.21
3 - Justine Dupont (FRA) 14.36
4 - Bianca Valenti (USA) 10.86
5 - Andrea Moller (BRA) 6.41
6 - Felicity Palmateer (AUS) 4.54

2017/18 BWT Men's Pe'ahi Challenge Final Results:
1 - Ian Walsh (HAW) 21.67
2 - Billy Kemper (HAW) 18.57
3 - Makuakai Rothman (HAW) 18.46
4 - Kai Lenny (HAW) 18.26
5 - Greg Long (USA) 14.67
6 - Ryan Hipwood (AUS) 6.60

2017/18 BWT Men's Pe'ahi Challenge Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Makuakai Rothman (HAW) 16.61, Greg Long (USA) 13.74, Billy Kemper (HAW) 11.83, Danilo Couto (BRA) 11.26, Mark Healey (HAW) 7.77, Cristian Merello (CHL) 4.66 
SF 2: Ryan Hipwood (AUS) 26.50, Kai Lenny (HAW) 26.31, Ian Walsh (HAW) 25.33, Albee Layer (HAW) 24.23, Lucas Chianca (BRA) 22.19, Jamie Mitchell (AUS) 16.44

2017/18 BWT Women's BWT Rankings (after Pe’ahi Challenge):
1 -Paige Alms (HAW) 15,625 pts
2 - Keala Kennelly (HAW) 13,020 pts
3 - Justine Dupont (FRA) 10,850 pts
4 - Bianca Valenti (USA) 9,042 pts
5 - Andrea Moller (BRA) 7,536 pts

2017/18 Men's BWT Rankings (after Pe’ahi Challenge):
1 -Kai Lenny (HAW) 19,042 pts
2 - Billy Kemper (HAW) 18,807 pts
3 - Ian Walsh (HAW) 15,625 pts
4 - Makuakai Rothman (HAW) 13,920 pts
5 - Jamie Mitchell (AUS) 10,647 pts

The 2017/2018 WSL Big Wave Tour is proudly supported by Michelob Ultra, the Official Beer of the Big Wave Tour in North America, and Quiksilver Airlift, the Official Inflation Vest of the 2017/2018 Big Wave Tour. 

Caption: Ian Walsh (HAW) dominated the Pe'ahi lineup to earn the highest score of the day, an excellent 26.13, in Round 1 Heat 3 of the Men's Pe'ahi Challenge. 
Credit: © WSL / Saguibo

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PE’AHI, Maui, Hawaii/USA (Friday, October 27, 2017) - The World Surf League (WSL) Big Wave Tour (BWT) Pe'ahi Challenge completed men’s Round 1 today in epic 35 - 45 foot waves. With only the top three finishers from each six-man heat advancing out of Round 1, the world's best big wave surfers battled the elements to secure a spot in the Semifinals.

Two-time Pe‘ahi Challenge winner Billy Kemper (HAW) is off to a solid start after a big win in Round 1 Heat 1. The 27-year old garnered a 21.51 heat total (out of a possible 30) to advance straight to the Semifinals. Kemper’s win puts him within striking distance of a third-straight event victory when competition resumes tomorrow. Cristian Merello (CHL) and Mark Healey (HAW) will also advance to the next round with second and third place finishes, respectively. Koa Rothman (HAW) fell just 0.99 points short of advancing and will be eliminated along withFrancisco Porcella (ITA) and replacement surfer Jimel Corzo (MEX). 

“If there’s one way to kick off an event, I think that’s it,” said Kemper. “You got to work to play so that was definitely some hard work. I just kept my head in the right place and kept digging until I found the gold, and I found a really good wave. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it out, but I’m very lucky that they [judges] gave me the score that they did. That was probably one of the best barrels I’ve ever got out here, so, almost made it, but I’m just stoked. I’m in a really good head place so I’m here to have fun.”

2014/15 BWT Champion Makuakai Rothman (HAW) is back in rhythm with his first heat win since last year’s Puerto Escondido Challenge. Rothman’s best wave earned him the highest single wave score of Heat 2, a 6.27, but his ride came with the price of a massive wipeout. The current BWT No. 7 will now focus on the Semifinals to continue his run at Pe‘ahi. Injury replacement Danilo Couto (BRA) went all out in the dangerous lineup to earn the second position.  Two-time BWT Champion Greg Long (USA) battled through multiple wipeouts but eventually found a wave to earn him a spot in the Semifinals with a 13.94 heat total. 

“That was a pretty good couple flips on the water,” Rothman said. “I’m just so happy to make a heat. This is my third year, and I haven’t made a heat until now, so it feels really good to be moving on. The swell is beautiful. There’s definitely some big bombs. We made a good call and stoked to have my feet up and relaxing and get ready for tomorrow.”

Ian Walsh’s (HAW) incredible Heat 3 performance raised the bar as he earned a commanding 26.13 two-wave total out of a possible 30. Walsh also secured the highest single-wave score of the day, an impressive 8.90, for a massive drop into a 45-foot wave that he navigated expertly through to the inside bowl. The Haiku native found the two best waves of the 60-minute heat and advanced into the Semifinals well ahead of his fellow competitors.

“It’s definitely pretty lully and a very intense incoming swell so you can feel the long period and the energy in the ocean,” commented Walsh. “When they do come, there is some opportunity. We just got a little bit of a North wind so kind of picking and choosing the right waves and trying to just make sure you’re in the right place when they come. Those are my first two waves to open up the 2017/2018 winter, and it’s conveniently at home for me here. I’m glad we’re getting a start to the winter this early and hopefully this snowballs into something pretty special.”
 
BWT Rankings leader Kai Lenny (HAW) followed closely behind Walsh with a 19.37 combined total. Heat 3 also saw darkhorse Ryan Hipwood (AUS) secure the third place position over top seeds Pedro Calado (BRA), Trevor Carlson (HAW) and Nic Lamb (USA). 

Lucas Chianca (BRA) won the last heat of the day to close out Round 1. The Brazilian’s 20.50 heat total included outstanding maneuvers to vault him into the Semis. World No. 2 Jamie Mitchell (AUS) will join Chianca in the Semifinals, along with Albee Layer (HAW). 

Grant "Twiggy" Baker (ZAF) was not able to make the call time for his Round 1 heat and was replaced by Corzo in Round 1 Heat 1. Shane Dorian (HAW) withdrew from the event due to a back injury and was replaced by Couto.

Tomorrow's call will be at 7:30 a.m.  for a possible 8:00 a.m. HST start. 

Surfline, Official Forecasters for the 2017/2018 WSL BWT season are calling for:

The long period NW swell that filled in throughout the afternoon should peak during the early morning hours on Saturday based on the data we’ve seen on the Northwest Hawaii buoy (about a half day indicator for Jaws). Saturday will see an easing trend in surf, although the early morning hours should offer strong surf in the 25-35’ range on the face, with the max sets pushing 40’+. Wind should be quite light in the morning, with light to moderate NE trades developing in the later morning and especially for the afternoon.

The Pe'ahi Challenge will be broadcast LIVE tomorrow via WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL app and on Facebook LIVE via the WSL’s Facebook page. Also check local listings for coverage on CBS Sports Network in the U.S., Fox Sports in Australia, ESPN in Brazil, Sky NZ in New Zealand, SFR Sports in France and Portugal, Sport TV in Portugal and the EDGEsport Network.

Due to safety and environmental concerns, there is no location available for on-site spectating for the Pe’ahi Challenge. Big wave surfing fans are invited to watch the event on the live webcast that will feature close-in angles, slow-motion replays, and analysis. For those on Maui, viewing parties will be held at Charley’s Restaurant at 142 Hana Highway, Paia, HI 96779 (808-579-8085) and at Lulu’s Lahaina Surf Club Bar and Grill at 1221 Honoapiilani Hwy #A1 Lahaina, HI 96761. 

2017/18 BWT Men's Pe'ahi Challenge Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Billy Kemper (HAW) 21.51, Cristian Merello (CHL) 19.94, Mark Healey (HAW) 18.83, Koa Rothman (HAW) 17.84, Francisco Porcella (ITA) 11.37, Jimel Corzo (MEX) 0.20
Heat 2: Makuakai Rothman (HAW) 17.27, Danilo Couto (BRA) 14.84, Greg Long (USA) 13.94, Will Skudin (USA) 10.71, Tom Lowe (GBR) 7.54, Aaron Gold (HAW) 3.20 
Heat 3: Ian Walsh (HAW) 26.13,  Kai Lenny (HAW) 19.37, Ryan Hipwood (AUS) 15.03, Pedro Calado (BRA) 14.71, Trevor Carlson (HAW) 13.57, Nic Lamb (USA) 0.20
Heat 4: Lucas Chianca (BRA) 20.50, Jamie Mitchell (AUS) 17.87, Albee Layer (HAW) 12.41, Joao De Macedo (PRT) 11.64, Nathan Florence (HAW) 9.34, Shaun Walsh (HAW) 3.54 

2017/18 BWT Men's Pe'ahi Challenge Semifinal Match-Ups:
SF 1: Billy Kemper (HAW), Cristian Merello (CHL), Mark Healey (HAW), Makuakai Rothman (HAW), Danilo Couto (BRA), Greg Long (USA)
SF 2: Ian Walsh (HAW), Kai Lenny (HAW), Ryan Hipwood (AUS), Lucas Chianca (BRA), Jamie Mitchell (AUS), Albee Layer (HAW)

2017/18 BWT Women's Pe'ahi Challenge Final Match-Up:
Final: Paige Alms (HAW) Justine Dupont (FRA), Andrea Moeller (BRA), Keala Kennelly (HAW), Felicity Palmateer (AUS), Bianca Valenti (USA) 

The 2017/2018 WSL Big Wave Tour is proudly supported by Michelob Ultra, the Official Beer of the Big Wave Tour in North America, and Quiksilver Airlift, the Official Inflation Vest of the 2017/2018 Big Wave Tour. 

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com. 

Caption: Current BWT Rankings leader Kai Lenny (HAW) will compete in Round 1 Heat 3 of the Men's Pe'ahi Challenge. 
Credit: © WSL / Heff

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PE’AHI, Maui, Hawaii/USA (Friday, October 27, 2017) - The World Surf League (WSL) Big Wave Tour (BWT) Pe'ahi Challenge has been called ON for a 12:05 p.m. HST start. The competition will see men’s Round 1 get underway with 1-hour long heats in waves ranging from 25 - 35 feet at the world famous break of Pe’ahi, located in Haiku, Maui, Hawaii. 

"We are seeing the ocean come alive," said Mike Parsons, WSL BWT Commissioner. "We’ve been on hold for most of the morning to wait for the swell to build, and we are now seeing solid sets come through. We will run men's Round 1 today starting at 12:05 p.m. HST. We will try to get through all four heats of Round 1 and will keep watching the conditions throughout the afternoon. Best of luck to all of our competitors today." 

Grant "Twiggy" Baker (ZAF) was not able to make the call time for his Round 1 heat and will be replaced by Jimel Corzo (MEX) in Round 1 Heat 1. 

Surfline, Official Forecasters for the 2017/2018 WSL BWT season are calling for:

Very long period swell has been building on the Northwest Hawaii buoy- around half day from Jaws- since Thursday night and is a good indication that our swell is on track. We expect things to be slow through most of the morning, but gradually building. We should see a more pronounced building trend around midday with the surf continuing to build through the afternoon and evening. Look for building face heights in the 25-35’ range over the afternoon, with max sets of 40-50’ faces late today. Light NNE/NE wind is expected this afternoon as the swell builds.
 
Surf size should hold into early Saturday morning, with a gradual trend down during the morning hours. A more pronounced fade is expected from midday on. Light ENE trades Saturday morning will build to light to moderate levels in the afternoon.

The Pe'ahi Challenge will be broadcast LIVE via WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL app and on Facebook LIVE via the WSL’s Facebook page. Also check local listings for coverage on CBS Sports Network in the U.S., Fox Sports in Australia, ESPN in Brazil, Sky NZ in New Zealand, SFR Sports in France and Portugal, Sport TV in Portugal and the EDGEsport Network.

Due to safety and environmental concerns, there is no location available for on-site spectating for the Pe’ahi Challenge. Big wave surfing fans are invited to watch the event on the live webcast that will feature close-in angles, slow-motion replays, and analysis.  For those on Maui, there are viewing parties being held at Charley’s Restaurant at 142 Hana Highway, Paia, HI 96779 (808-579-8085) and at Lulu’s Lahaina Surf Club Bar and Grill at 1221 Honoapiilani Hwy #A1 Lahaina, HI 96761. 

2017/18 BWT Men's Pe'ahi Challenge Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1:  Jimel Corzo (MEX), Billy Kemper (HAW), Cristian Merello (CHL), Francisco Porcella (ITA), Koa Rothman (HAW), Mark Healey (HAW)
Heat 2: Greg Long (USA), Will Skudin (USA), Makuakai Rothman (HAW), Tom Lowe (GBR), Aaron Gold (HAW), Shane Dorian (HAW)
Heat 3: Pedro Calado (BRA), Nic Lamb (USA), Kai Lenny (HAW), Trevor Carlson (HAW), Ryan Hipwood (AUS), Ian Walsh (HAW)
Heat 4: Jamie Mitchell (AUS), Joao De Macedo (PRT), Nathan Florence (HAW), Shaun Walsh (HAW), Albee Layer (HAW)

2017/18 BWT Women's Pe'ahi Challenge Final Match-Up:
Final: Paige Alms (HAW) Justine Dupont (FRA), Andrea Moeller (BRA), Keala Kennelly (HAW), Felicity Palmateer (AUS), Bianca Valenti (USA) 

The 2017/2018 WSL Big Wave Tour is proudly supported by Michelob Ultra, the Official Beer of the Big Wave Tour in North America, and Quiksilver Airlift, the Official Inflation Vest of the 2017/2018 Big Wave Tour. 

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com. 

Caption: 2016 Men's Pe'ahi Challenge runner-up Greg Long (USA) will battle in Round 2 of the Pe'ahi Challenge when competition gets underway. 
Credit: © WSL / Cestari

PE’AHI, Maui, Hawaii/USA (Friday, October 27, 2017) - The World Surf League (WSL) Big Wave Tour (BWT) Pe'ahi Challenge is on standby today with a possible 10:30 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time start. 

"The Northern Hawaiian buoys are showing a building long period swell expected to arrive midday," said Mike Parsons, WSL BWT Commissioner. "Competitors will be in position at the iconic Maui break at 10:30 a.m. Hawaii Time and will be on standby to start as conditions warrant. We hope to hold all four men's Round 1 heats in an hour-long format today, should conditions maintain quality.
 
"All remaining men's and women's heats will take place on Saturday, October 28 at 7:00 a.m. HST. Our goal is to take advantage of the swell that is expected to be full power through the first half of the day. Based on this schedule, another four hours of competition should complete the Pe’ahi Challenge by the middle of the day."
 
Surfline, Official Forecasters for the 2017/2018 WSL BWT season are calling for:

Very long period swell has been building on the Northwest Hawaii buoy- around half day from Jaws- since Thursday night and is a good indication that our swell is on track. We expect things to be slow through most of the morning, but gradually building. We should see a more pronounced building trend around midday with the surf continuing to build through the afternoon and evening. Look for building face heights in the 25-35’ range over the afternoon, with max sets of 40-50’ faces late today. Light NNE/NE wind is expected this afternoon as the swell builds.
 
Surf size should hold into early Saturday morning, with a gradual trend down during the morning hours. A more pronounced fade is expected from midday on. Light ENE trades Saturday morning will build to light to moderate levels in the afternoon.

The Pe'ahi Challenge will be broadcast LIVE via WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL app and on Facebook LIVE via the WSL’s Facebook page. Also check local listings for coverage on CBS Sports Network in the U.S., Fox Sports in Australia, ESPN in Brazil, Sky NZ in New Zealand, SFR Sports in France and Portugal, Sport TV in Portugal and the EDGEsport Network.

Due to safety and environmental concerns, there is no location available for on-site spectating for the Pe’ahi Challenge. Big wave surfing fans are invited to watch the event on the live webcast that will feature close-in angles, slow-motion replays, and analysis.  For those on Maui, there are viewing parties being held at Charley’s Restaurant at 142 Hana Highway, Paia, HI 96779 (808-579-8085) and at Lulu’s Lahaina Surf Club Bar and Grill at 1221 Honoapiilani Hwy #A1 Lahaina, HI 96761. 

2017/18 BWT Men's Pe'ahi Challenge Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Grant Baker (ZAF), Billy Kemper (HAW), Cristian Merello (CHL), Francisco Porcella (ITA), Koa Rothman (HAW), Mark Healey (HAW)
Heat 2: Greg Long (USA), Will Skudin (USA), Makuakai Rothman (HAW), Tom Lowe (GBR), Aaron Gold (HAW), Shane Dorian (HAW)
Heat 3: Pedro Calado (BRA), Nic Lamb (USA), Kai Lenny (HAW), Trevor Carlson (HAW), Ryan Hipwood (AUS), Ian Walsh (HAW)
Heat 4: Jamie Mitchell (AUS), Joao De Macedo (PRT), Nathan Florence (HAW), Shaun Walsh (HAW), Albee Layer (HAW)

2017/18 BWT Women's Pe'ahi Challenge Final Match-Up:
Final: Paige Alms (HAW) Justine Dupont (FRA), Andrea Moeller (BRA), Keala Kennelly (HAW), Felicity Palmateer (AUS), Bianca Valenti (USA) 

The 2017/2018 WSL Big Wave Tour is proudly supported by Michelob Ultra, the Official Beer of the Big Wave Tour in North America, and Quiksilver Airlift, the Official Inflation Vest of the 2017/2018 Big Wave Tour. 

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com. 

Caption: Peter Mel dropping in on a massive wave at the famed Mavericks big wave break in Northern California. 
Credit: © WSL / Fred Pompermayer

HALF MOON BAY, California/USA (Monday, October 9, 2017) - The World Surf League (WSL) is pleased to announce an agreement with Titans of Mavericks and Cartel Management in which the world-famous Mavericks in Northern California will join WSL Big Wave Tour through 2021.
 
“We’re very pleased with this opportunity to work with the big wave community in bringing the Mavericks event to life on the international stage,” Sophie Goldschmidt, WSL CEO, said. “The League has always held a high amount of respect for the both venue and its community as one of the pillars of big wave surfing. The WSL intends to continue to run the Mavericks event and celebrate the stories of those who steward and surf it through the Big Wave Tour. This is a huge moment for both the organization and the sport of surfing.” 
 
Surfing competitions have run under various structures at Mavericks since 1999, with Cartel overseeing the event starting in 2014 with the formation of Titans of Mavericks. The Titans of Mavericks event ran successfully in 2016, won by Nic Lamb (USA), and the company will continue to produce premium lifestyle goods and services as well as media content under the “Titans of Mavericks” brand.
 
“My primary vision in founding Titans of Mavericks was to allow these special athletes the platform and ability to have a successful career,” Griffin Guess, Titans of Mavericks Founder, said. “The event and brand I created generated a global audience for the event unlike anything before and I look forward to the WSL and their leadership continuing the success of the athletes, the event and the Maverick’s community at large.”
 
Formed in 2009, the Big Wave Tour joined the WSL in 2014, producing historic performances at never-before-contested venues such as Nazaré in Portugal and Pe’ahi on Maui’s North Shore. Monitoring swell systems and weather patterns throughout the season, the Big Wave Tour only runs events when surf reaches the 30-foot-plus mark, mobilizing on 72 hours’ notice with an international field of Big Wave men’s and women’s athletes.

“Every big wave surfer and fan on the planet knows that Mavericks holds a special place within this community,” Mike Parsons, WSL Big Wave Commissioner, said. “It’s one of the best big wave locations in the world and the opportunity to put it alongside Puerto Escondido, Nazaré and Pe’ahi is massive for the Big Wave Tour. After discussion with the athletes and the Senior Management team, including it in this year’s season was a no brainer. We’re all thrilled at the opportunity to run an event there.” 

The world’s best female big surfers will also have the opportunity to compete this upcoming season at Mavericks. A relatively new dimension to big wave competition, Paige Alms (HAW) took home the inaugural women’s title last season following her impressive win at the Pe’ahi Challenge.
 
The 2017/2018 WSL Big Wave Tour has completed its first event of the season with Kai Lenny (HAW) winning the Puerto Escondido Challenge in Mexico. After discussion between Senior Management, the WSL Commissioner’s Office and BWT athletes, the WSL has decided to include Mavericks in the 2017/2018 season.
 
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Caption: Kai Lenny (HAW) claimed victory today at the 2017 WSL BWT Puerto Escondido Challenge. 
Credit: © WSL / Heff

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PUERTO ESCONDIDO, Oaxaca/Mexico (Monday, July 31, 2017) - Kai Lenny (HAW) claimed victory today at the 2017 Puerto Escondido Challenge after besting a competitive field of 24 of the world’s best big wave surfers in epic 20-to-25 foot surf at Mainland Mexico’s Puerto Escondido.

The first event of the 2017 World Surf League (WSL) Big Wave Tour (BWT), the Puerto Escondido Challenge, saw no shortage of excitement as Lenny took on the towering conditions to collect his first BWT victory. Big Wave Tour Commissioner, Mike Parsons, alongside the judging panel, gave today’s event a Bronze rating, as faces were deemed in the 20-to-25 foot category. Based on the Bronze rating, Lenny will lead the rankings with 10,000 points. 

“I remember coming here last year and being super terrified because I had never been here,” said Lenny.  “My goal last year was to make the Final because I missed out last time. There are so many good big wave surfers in the world that when you get called up you really feel like you have to perform and charge. My goal today was to not hold back and -- when a good one came -- go no matter what. It was a pleasure competing with these guys. Any one of them could have won if they got the waves and I was just grateful to get that last one in the end. It was so special. Thank you to my friends, family, and sponsors. I am super grateful right now!”

The hour-long Final witnessed multiple lead changes as Lenny, Jamie Mitchell (AUS), Tom Lowe (GBR), Billy Kemper (HAW), Trevor Carlson (HAW) and Alex Botelho (PRT) navigated the heavy beachbreak conditions. Mitchell charged out the gates to lock in two massive waves, but his incomplete rides only garnered low scores. Lenny took advantage of a solid set to earn a 6.33 (out of a possible 10) and gained the lead heading into the halfway mark. Under pressure in the second position, Mitchell flew down a steep barrel for a 7.22 to surpass Lenny’s score. With fifteen minutes left on the clock, Lowe and Kemper had also posted solid attempts, but still trailed behind Lenny and Mitchell. The dramatic Final continued all the way to the dying minutes of the heat. Lenny, still in second place, miraculously found the exit on a massive barrel for an excellent 8.60 and the win.

Caption: Kai Lenny (HAW) escaped out of a heavy tube at Puerto Escondido to earn his first Big Wave Tour victory. 
Credit: © WSL / Villela

“I can't believe it,” continued Lenny. “I am so stoked. That was awesome. I knew I needed a good score because Jamie (Mitchell) got one. It was hard to get waves out there because they were just so shifty, but then the one that I had been waiting for finally came. Everyone was a little too far in or too deep.  I knew that that was it. I did a slow bottom turn and then I knew I had it.”

In his fifth Big Wave event, today’s win marks Lenny’s career-best result. Lenny will now lead the rankings heading into the Northern Hemisphere season, which opens October 15, 2017. Lenny will look to maintain his frontrunner position by besting his previous 9th place result in Pe’ahi and 13th in Nazaré.

Caption: Despite a fractured sternum, Jamie Mitchell (AUS) battled his way through a second place finish at the 2017 Puerto Escondido Challenge. 
Credit: © WSL / Morales

Jamie Mitchell (AUS) secured the runner-up position and will look forward to defending his Nazaré Challenge title going into the Northern Hemisphere window. Mitchell charged through the three critical rounds with a fractured sternum, which he suffered at Puerto Escondido a few weeks prior to this event. The Australian will now take time to recover and return even stronger to the second-half of the year.

“There are so many guys wanting to be where we are right now -- they are animals,” Mitchell said. “You just go into beast mode and try to numb out the pain. All these guys are so talented. I am really stoked for Kai (Lenny). To see him win today is great. It was an amazing Final and I am stoked to be here.”

In his second time competing on the BWT, Tom Lowe (GBR) proved himself with a third place result in Puerto Escondido. Lowe, who hails from St. Ives, Cornwall in the UK, earned first in Semifinal 2 and first in his Round 1 matchup en route to his third place finish, the highest ever by an English surfer.

Caption: Tom Lowe's (GBR) great performances today awarded him a 3rd place result at the Puerto Escondido Challenge. 
Credit: © WSL / Hinkle

Event standout Billy Kemper (HAW) will claim fourth place in this event. Earlier today, Kemper swept both his Round 1 and Semifinal heats with the highest scores in each round. Kemper’s dominating rides also collected the highest single-wave score of the event, a near-perfect 9.00. Kemper, 2016 and 2015 Pe’ahi Challenge winner, will prepare for an historic third straight event win with the 2017 Pe’ahi Challenge as an option to run this season.

Alex Botelho (PRT) received the last minute call-up to replace two-time BWT Champion Greg Long (USA) after Long withdrew due to injury. Botelho made the most of this opportunity to earn his Finals berth and best result, fifth place, in a Big Wave Tour event.

The first Semifinal saw 2014/15 BWT Champion Makuakai Rothman (HAW) barely miss his opportunity to advance to the Final as he fell just .13 points short of advancing over Botelho. Rothman will exit in Equal 7th place. The youngest competitor in the event, 20-year-old Jimel Corzo (MEX), also faced elimination in the Semifinals despite his Round 1 Heat 2 win. He will finish with Equal 9th. Nathan Florence (HAW) put up a strong fight in the first two rounds and will receive an Equal 11th result.

Grant “Twiggy” Baker (ZAF), two-time BWT Champion and defending event winner, was eliminated in the opening heat of Round 1 today after Kemper, Carlson and Florence took the Top 3 spots in the heat. The South African will now look to the Northern Hemisphere season to regain critical points to jumpstart his 2017 BWT Title campaign.

“I was actually super relaxed coming here,” said Baker. “We had a couple of warm-up days before the contest. The waves are pumping and I thought that things felt good. I just got into the heat this morning and it was just such a good heat. Billy (Kemper) was on fire, Trevor (Carlson) got that bomb and Nathan (Florence) had a couple of good waves, too. It just wasn’t my day, but the most important thing is the contest. The contest has been amazing. The waves have been pumping, the swell has been bigger than I expected. Everyone is super stoked.”

2016 event finalists Pedro Calado (BRA) and Will Skudin (USA) were not able to advance out of Round 1 and exited in 17th and 21st  place, respectively.

The 2017 BWT season is divided into Southern Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere components. The Southern Hemisphere window, which runs from May 1 - August 31, 2017, is now complete after today’s Puerto Escondido Challenge. The Northern Hemisphere window will open on October 15 and run through January 31, 2018 with event options in Portugal, Hawaii and Mexico.

2017 BWT Puerto Escondido Challenge Final Results:
1 - Kai Lenny (HAW) 23.53
2 - Jamie Mitchell (AUS) 18.64
3 - Tom Lowe (GBR) 12.23
4 - Billy Kemper (HAW) 8.50
5 - Alex Botelho (PRT)
6 - Trevor Carlson (HAW) 2.46

2017 BWT Puerto Escondido Challenge Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Billy Kemper (HAW) 16.89, Trevor Carlson (HAW) 12.27, Alex Botelho (PRT) 8.07, Makuakai Rothman (HAW) 7.94, Jimel Corzo (MEX) 7.13, Nathan Florence (HAW) 6.73
SF 2: Tom Lowe (GBR) 15.34, Jamie Mitchell (AUS) 12.54, Kai Lenny (HAW) 11.27, Nic Lamb (USA) 10.77, Oscar Moncada (MEX) 6.00, Rogercin Ramirez (MEX) 1.64

2017 BWT Puerto Escondido Challenge Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Billy Kemper (HAW) 24.17, Trevor Carlson (HAW) 17.60, Nathan Florence (HAW) 16.34, Grant Baker (ZAF) 11.53, Angelo Lozano (MEX) 8.64, Cristian Merello (CHL) 2.16
Heat 2: Jimel Corzo (MEX) 12.77, Alex Botelho (PRT) 11.74, Makuakai Rothman (HAW) 10.37, Coco Nogales (MEX)  8.07, Peter Mel (USA) 6.83, Will Skudin (USA) 3.13
Heat 3: Tom Lowe (GBR) 18.06, Kai Lenny (HAW) 16.54, Nic Lamb (USA) 13.97, Rusty Long (USA) 13.51, Pedro Calado (BRA) 10.86, Jose Ramirez (MEX) 7.77
Heat 4: Oscar Moncado (MEX) 12.66, Jamie Mitchell (AUS) 10.31, Rogercin Ramirez (MEX) 8.10, Francisco Porcella (ITA) 7.66,  Damien Hobgood (USA) 6.53, João de Macedo (PRT) 5.63

2017 WSL Big Wave Tour Schedule:
Southern Hemisphere: May 1 - August 31, 2017
Puerto Escondido Challenge: Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Northern Hemisphere: October 15, 2017 - January 31, 2018
Nazaré Challenge: Nazaré, Portugal
Pe'ahi Challenge: Haiku, Hawaii

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com.