Pe’ahi Challenge gets the green light
PE'AHI, Maui/Hawaii (Tuesday, November 8, 2016) – Today, the World Surf League (WSL) Big Wave Tour (BWT) is placing the Pe’ahi Challenge in Haiku, Hawaii on Green Alert to potentially commence at 2pm (local time) on Thursday, November 10, 2016 with a projected 30-foot-plus swell heading towards the region.
“We have been tracking a storm from the Pacific Northwest and anticipate a promising swell to deliver for our first BWT event of the Northern Hemisphere season,” said Peter Mel, WSL BWT Commissioner. “We are calling the Pe’ahi Challenge ON for a possible start on Thursday afternoon, 2pm call, with swell expected to hold through Friday. We expect 30-foot-plus waves with favorable winds and tides.”
The Pe’ahi Challenge will be contested by 24 men, led by current rankings’ leader Grant Baker (ZAF), reigning BWT Champion Greg Long (USA), and defending event winner Billy Kemper (HAW).
For the first time in WSL Big Wave Tour history, the world’s best female big wave surfers will compete at Pe’ahi with 12 individuals vying for the maiden women’s title.
“We’re incredibly proud to be introducing a women’s event this season,” Mel continued. “These ladies as some of the most dedicated, passionate and talented big wave surfers on the planet. It will be phenomenal to witness them tackle Pe’ahi.”
Pe’ahi, known as “Jaws,” breaks off the northern coastline of Maui with the ability to produce waves in excess of 60 feet. The event premiered on the BWT last winter with exceptional performances in epic conditions. All eyes will be on this venue this year to see the top ranked BWT surfers take on the monstrous conditions.
The 2016/17 BWT season is divided into Southern Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere components hosting three possible events within each. The Southern Hemisphere window ran from April 27 to August 31, 2016 with event options in Mexico, Chile and Peru. The Puerto Escondido Challenge was the only event to run and saw Baker claim victory. The Northern Hemisphere window runs from October 15, 2016 to February 28, 2017 with event options in Portugal, Hawaii and Mexico.
Pe’ahi Challenge Men’s Field:
- Greg Long (USA)
- Makuakai Rothman (HAW)
- Billy Kemper (HAW)
- Nic Lamb (USA)
- Josh Kerr (AUS)
- Albee Layer (HAW)
- Carlos Burle (BRA)
- Damien Hobgood (USA)
- Cristian Merello (CHL)
- Mark Healey (HAW)
- Grant Baker (ZAF)
Performer of the year BWA Invites:
- Shane Dorian (HAW)
- Jamie Mitchell (AUS)
- Aaron Gold (HAW)
- Kai Lenny (HAW)
WSL Wildcards:
- TBA
- TBA
- TBA
Pe’ahi Event Wildcards:
- Ian Walsh (HAW)
- Shaun Walsh (HAW)
- Tyler Larronde (HAW)
- Yuri Soledade (HAW)
- Dege O’Connell (HAW)
- Francisco Porcella (ITA)
Pe’ahi Challenge Women’s Field:
- Keala Kennelly (HAW)
- Paige Alms (HAW)
- Andrea Moller (HAW)
- Bianca Valenti (USA)
- Emily Erickson (USA)
- Savannah Shaugnessy (USA)
- Justine Dupont (FRA)
- Jamilah Starr (USA)
- Maya Gabeira (BRA)
- Sylvia Nabuco (BRA)
- Laura Enever (AUS)
- Wrenna Delgado (HAW)
Comments
First thoughts? It was the morning of the 2015 Peahi event that Mark Mathews busted his shoulder putting him out of action for the best part of a year.
Mathews got back in the water recently but then busted his leg last week, putting him out for another so many months.
Reckon he'll be watching it with the bitter taste of regret in his mouth.
Busted leg on a 6ft wave and now out for another 6 mths.
WSL wildcards TBA....any guesses who ?
First thought is Flores but he might not want to risk injury whilst on the WQS bubble. Conner?
Josh Kerr? He's already one won BWT event.
It's not good timing for any lower CT surfers or QS surfers as the Peahi comp will run Thursday amd Friday, while Haleiwa starts on Saturday. Would anyone who needs the points allow themself the digression?
Josh is already listed in the main field ;-)
Heh...well there you go. Kerr is offically an all rounder.
Hmm, I'm worried about the timing of this swell.
As mentioned in the Hawaii notes yesterday, the swell is only due to really kick mid-late Thursday afternoon and reach that XL range by dark.
Also I think they are being mislead by mixing swell trains for most of the day.
There's a mid-period N/NW swell for the morning that looks to be in the moderate to large range, with midday only showing 0.6m @19.9s at Peahi (mid-period swell is 2.9m @12.6s).
Our North Shore forecast has more size at midday 1.4m @18.7s but also 2.5m of mid-period N/NW swell.
Come 6pm it combines the mid-period and long-period energy incorrectly showing 3.6m @ 17.6s on the Peahi forecast, but this has at least 2m of mid-period swell in there. This wouldn't equal 30ft faces IMO.
North Shore has more size on dark (4.2m @17.3s) and I expect sets to reach 15ft by dark there.
It just seems a little too late arrival for the contest to run Thursday.
Peahi Forecast midday:
Peahi Forecast 6pm:
North Shore Forecast midday:
North Shore Forecast 6pm:
Well spotted Craig. WSL has just issued a press release, cancelling the Thursday afternoon and putting the start of event back to Friday morning.
Just saw that the contest can be run over Thursday and Friday, in this case Friday will be excellent.
Kerzy oh yeah he's the man , is pumped after Mavs the other day.
This forecast still on track ?
Windy TV weather site is good .
Craig's got an article coming Udo. Been a slight deviation, but too late for the WSL to hit the brakes now.