Two ASP Big Wave World Tour (BWWT) events, the Quiksilver Ceremonial in Punta de Lobos, Chile, and the Billabong Pico Alto, Peru, are on Yellow Alert with a projected 30-foot ocean swell heading toward the region. Event organizers are monitoring the conditions, and either event could be called on with a Green Alert within 48 hours of the start of the contest.
As the world's best big wave surfers prepare to potentially kick off their respective 2014/2015 BWWT Title campaigns, Gary Linden, who founded the Tour, dissected the mechanics of Chile's Punta de Lobos.
“There are so many pieces that need to come together for Punta de Lobos to work," said Linden.
“Punta De Lobos is a really unique wave because it's a big lefthand point. There is an outside ledge barrel and if you make that section it's up to a 500 meter ride. It's not the biggest wave I've ridden, it's not the longest, but combined, it's the biggest, longest wave I've ever surfed.
Punta de Lobos in full effect at the 2011 Quiksilver Ceremonial. - WSL / ESCOBARPHOTO.COM
“Another good thing about Punta de Lobos," he said, "is that it holds as big as it gets. It's unique to the Big Wave World Tour because it's the only real lefthander on Tour and it allows for performance big wave surfing as well. If you look at the other stops on tour, most are rights or a peak, but Punta de Lobos is the only lefthand-only wave on Tour. I'm really excited.â€
In contrast to the ASP World Championship Tour, BWWT contests have just 24 surfers competing in a single-day event. The Quiksilver Ceremonial Chile and the Billabong Pico Alto would each see the ASP BWWT Top 12, led by reigning world champion Grant 'Twiggy' Baker, as well as six ASP wildcards and six local wildcards competing for the best waves.
Baker, who Surfline honored at the 2014 Billabong XXL Awards for Best Overall Performance, was just nominated for an ESPY.
2014/2015 ASP BWWT SCHEDULE:
Southern Hemisphere (April 15, 2014 through August 31, 2014):
- Punta de Lobos, Chile
- Pico Alto, Peru
- Dungeons, South Africa
Northern Hemisphere (October 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015)
- Todos Santos, Mexico
- Punta Galea, Basque Country Spain
- Pe'ahi (Jaws), Maui HI
Dissecting Punta de Lobos
WSL
Two ASP Big Wave World Tour (BWWT) events, the Quiksilver Ceremonial in Punta de Lobos, Chile, and the Billabong Pico Alto, Peru, are on Yellow Alert with a projected 30-foot ocean swell heading toward the region. Event organizers are monitoring the conditions, and either event could be called on with a Green Alert within 48 hours of the start of the contest.
As the world's best big wave surfers prepare to potentially kick off their respective 2014/2015 BWWT Title campaigns, Gary Linden, who founded the Tour, dissected the mechanics of Chile's Punta de Lobos.
“There are so many pieces that need to come together for Punta de Lobos to work," said Linden.
“Punta De Lobos is a really unique wave because it's a big lefthand point. There is an outside ledge barrel and if you make that section it's up to a 500 meter ride. It's not the biggest wave I've ridden, it's not the longest, but combined, it's the biggest, longest wave I've ever surfed.
“Another good thing about Punta de Lobos," he said, "is that it holds as big as it gets. It's unique to the Big Wave World Tour because it's the only real lefthander on Tour and it allows for performance big wave surfing as well. If you look at the other stops on tour, most are rights or a peak, but Punta de Lobos is the only lefthand-only wave on Tour. I'm really excited.â€
In contrast to the ASP World Championship Tour, BWWT contests have just 24 surfers competing in a single-day event. The Quiksilver Ceremonial Chile and the Billabong Pico Alto would each see the ASP BWWT Top 12, led by reigning world champion Grant 'Twiggy' Baker, as well as six ASP wildcards and six local wildcards competing for the best waves.
Baker, who Surfline honored at the 2014 Billabong XXL Awards for Best Overall Performance, was just nominated for an ESPY.
2014/2015 ASP BWWT SCHEDULE:
Southern Hemisphere (April 15, 2014 through August 31, 2014):
Northern Hemisphere (October 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015)
Grant Baker
2021 Men's Performer Of The Year Nominees: Kai Lenny, Peter Mel, Conor Maguire, Grant Baker, Sebastian Steudner, Ian Walsh, Nathan
2021 Men's Biggest Paddle Nominee Grant Baker at Mavericks on December 11, 2020. Video From Richard Hallman.
2021 Men's Ride Of The Year Grant Baker at Mavericks Grant Baker on December 11, 2020. Video from Richard Hallman.
Kai Lenny, Pete Mel, Twiggy and crew led the charge on a day that was pretty much as good as it gets at the NorCal big-wave spot.
Grant Baker, Russell Bierke, Lucas Chianca, Nathan Florence, Billy Kemper, Kai Lenny, Tom Lowe, Eli Olson, Nic Von Rupp, and Ian Walsh.
Quiksilver Ceremonial Chile
With a large swell looming, the BWWT braces for opening events in Chile and Peru
Punta de Lobos, Chile, is home to one of the world's biggest waves -- and Stop No. 1 of the 2014 ASP Big Wave World Championship Tour.
The ASP BWWT travels around the world in 2014, through a potential six events and two hemispheres.
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