.png){kind=logo}
When you visit our website, we store cookies on your browser to collect information. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to and to provide a more personalized web experience. However, you can choose not to allow certain types of cookies, which may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings according to your preference.
These cookies are essential to enable user movement across our website and for providing access to features such as your profile. These cookies cannot be disabled. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information and cannot be used for marketing purposes.
These cookies allow us to analyze visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site and enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers, such as Google Analytics, whose services we have added to our pages. Information collected through these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly and/or we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts or content. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
These cookies are set by a range of social media services that we have added to the site to enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They are capable of tracking your browser across other sites and building up a profile of your interests. This may impact the content and messages you see on other websites you visit. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to use or see these sharing tools.
Paige Alms Claims Second-Straight Pe'ahi Challenge Win
Chris Mauro
Paige Alms couldn't have been more thrilled about today's conditions at Pe'ahi. "We had our doubts about the forecast but Pe'ahi definitely delivered," she said after clinching her second-straight victory in the elite women's Big Wave Tour event. "I feel so grateful to be able to sit out in an empty lineup at firing, perfect Jaws. 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."
Unlike last year, when few challenged Alms' local dominance in the very tough conditions, this year's women's event was much more of a battle. All six women stroked into at least one of the big beasts during the 60-minute Final. Even Felicity Palmateer, suffering from a previous injury, pushed herself over the ledge on a bomb. Brazil's Andrea Moller and California's Bianca Valenti nabbed good rides as well, but it was Keala Kennelly and Justine Dupont who posed the biggest threats.
Kennelly jumped out to an early lead with a beautiful drop in the early going, but she ended up breaking her board in the maelstrom that followed, and had a bit of a tougher time on her replacement equipment. Dupont looked comfortable and confident during all three of her ridden waves. Her practice at Nazaré is clearly paying off, and will make her a much more potent threat in the years to come.
Alms stayed selective throughout the Final, utilizing her local knowledge to take off on two gorgeous looking -- her first two waves of the entire season -- to rack up the winning score. She opened with a nice finished ride that earned her 5.83, then took the lead with a 7.70, which saw her drop into a huge wall then kick out through the roof. Her two rides netted a total of 21.23 out of 30 points for the win, and it's worth noting that those were her first two waves of the entire season at Jaws.
"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!"
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
Justine Dupont
Relive some of Big Wave heavy Justin Dupont's craziest rides from recent history as we await the TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge.
2022 BWA Women's Biggest Tow In Nominee: Justine Dupont at Nazare Video by Thomas Slavik
2022 BWA Women's Biggest Tow In Nominee: Justine Dupont at Nazare Video by Benjamin Arena
2022 BWA Women's Biggest Paddle In Nominee: Justine Dupont at Nazare Video by Antoine Chicoye
2022 Women's Ride Of The Year Justine Dupont At Teahupoo on August 13, 2021. Video from Manea Fabish.
Women's Pe'ahi Challenge
It's been a massive year for the progression of the sport.
There's no shortcut to winning the Women's Pe'ahi Challenge -- twice. But there is a lot of sweating, surfing and discipline.
What's the only thing better than surfing a big-wave spot for an hour, with just five other women? Even more of it.
The French surfer is something of a Renaissance woman when it comes to contests. But heavy water has won her heart.
Showstopping images from an epic day at the Pe'ahi Challenge.