Moving Mountains: Punta de Lobos Open for Business

Quiksilver Ceremonial Official Trailer

The 2015/2016 Big Wave Tour season kicks off Thursday, April 30 with the first event of the year.

The 2015/2016 Big Wave Tour (BWT) season officially begins with the opening of the Quiksilver Ceremonial event window. The event, at Punta de Lobos, opens one month prior to the rest of the tour events as the World Surf League (WSL) increases efforts to run as many events as possible with the world's best big wave surfers at some of the premier big wave venues on the planet.

There's been no shortage of excitement surrounding the 2015/2016 schedule. The addition of Puerto Escondido and Nelscott Reef as sanctioned BWT events has injected a new dynamism into one of the most alluring frontiers on the planet. Due to the short-notice nature of big wave events and the remote locations they're held in, the WSL has made these additions and adjustments to maximize the opportunity to complete the greatest number of events.

Hobgood's Punta de Lobos Paddle

Damien Hobgood's Big Wave Awards paddle nominations from Punta de Lobos, Chile, site of the first event in the BWT window.

Puerto Escondido and Pe'ahi will be broadcast live at worldsurfleague.com and the new WSL app. Punta de Lobos, Pico Alto, Nelscott Reef, Todos Santos and Punta Galea will provide daily updates through heats on demand, video features and live scoring, a decision made with the goal of running as many events as possible in mind.

"The last time we were able to run the Ceremonial was 2012 and the battle between the eventual event winner, Marcos Monteiro, and local standout Ramon Navarro was intense," said BWT VP Gary Linden. "Probably the best performance of the day was Ramon in his Semifinal heat, but Marcos saved something for the Final and came away with the win."

"With the new extended waiting period comes a better opportunity to call the right day," Linden continued, "maximizing chances for the running of another great event. Punta de Lobos being the long left-handed point unique to the Tour allows our goofyfooted competitors a chance to face the wave and shine."

Should the elements align, a Green Alert call will be made by BWT commissioner Peter Mel 72 hours prior to the event start. The WSL will closely monitor swell events off the coast of Chile. Until then don't miss the Big Wave Awards webcast LIVE on the World Surf League homepage and WSL App Friday, May 1 2015.