BWWT Southern Hemisphere Season Comes to a Close

- WSL / Rommel Gonzales

Caption: Makua Rothman (HAW) claimed victory at the first BWWT event of the 2014/2015 season, the Billabong Pico Alto.
Credit: ASP/Kirstin

LOS ANGELES, CA/USA (Tuesday, September 2, 2014): The ASP Big Wave World Tour (BWWT) Southern Hemisphere season has come to a close and, following a short break, the Northern Hemisphere season will get underway on October 15, 2014. The world's best big wave chargers are preparing for the second half of the season and the chance to compete at the three remaining world-class big wave venues.

The 2014/2015 BWWT season is divided into two parts, the Southern Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere components, each hosting three potential events in line with optimum swell windows at some of the most renowned big wave sites. The Southern Hemisphere window, which is now complete, ran from April 15 to August 31, 2014 with event options in Chile, Peru and South Africa. The Northern Hemisphere window begins on October 15, 2014 and runs through February 28, 2015 with event options in Mexico, the Basque Region of Spain, and Maui, Hawaii.

The Southern Hemisphere season saw the BWWT team track several exciting swells with the possibility of running all three events. One swell went on to produce waves that met the required size for a Big Wave event and 2014/2015 season got off to a thrilling start, with the first event complete and the World Title race underway.

Most recently, a system that was traveling toward South Africa in mid-August prompted event organizers put the Dungeons Challenge on Yellow Alert. The storm system moving toward Cape Town appeared to be promising, however, it didn't produce the necessary conditions and the event was returned to standby.

In late June a significant swell headed for South America, and the events in Chile and Peru were both placed on Yellow Alert. With the positive developments closer to Pico Alto, the BWWT team put the Quiksilver Ceremonial Chile back on standby, and gave the go-ahead for the event in Peru.

The Billabong Pico Alto became the first event of the 2014/2015 ASP BWWT season, running on Thursday, July 3, 2014 and saw the best big wave surfers from around the world travel to Peru to showcase their skills on the 40 foot waves. Hawaiian Makua Rothman (HAW) claimed his first ASP BWWT victory after winning the final heat with a breathtaking late drop over a terrifying ledge. The ASP wildcard defeated reigning World Champion, Grant 'Twiggy' Baker (ZAF) on route to victory, announcing himself as a major threat on the BWWT. With one event complete Rothman sits atop the BWWT rankings with 12,500 points, closely followed by Americans Anthony Tashnick and Shawn Dollar.

The Northern Hemisphere season begins on October 15, 2014 and is comprised of three events: Todos Santos Pro, Mexico; Punta Galea Challenge, Basque Country Spain; and Pe'ahi Pro, Maui, Hawaii. A team of experts will track swell systems all over the world waiting for those that will produce waves of 30 feet or bigger at one of the remaining three world-class big wave venues.

“We are anxiously awaiting the first ever paddle in event to be held at one of the most challenging Big Wave on the planet, Pe'Ahi,” said ASP BWWT Vice President, Gary Linden. “It's known for the extremely heavy offshore winds that require a late drop and a barrel section that is unparalleled.”

Although the Dungeons Challenge in South Africa and the Quiksilver Ceremonial in Chile did not experience sufficiently large enough surf to complete the events, the BWWT is committed to supporting the world's best big wave surfers and will be rolling over the $100,000 in prize money for those events to the upcoming contests. Both the Punta Galea Challenge and the Todos Santos Pro will be upgraded to $75,000 prize purses and the Pea'hi Pro will see its prize money pushed up to $100,000. Should any of the three remaining BWWT not be held the prize money will be distributed among the Top Ten finishers at the end of the 2014/2015 season and awarded when the 2014/2015 ASP Big Wave World Champion is crowned at the XXL BWWT Awards next spring.

“We're really pleased to be able to roll the Southern Hemisphere prize money over into the upcoming contest,” said ASP BWWT Commissioner, Peter Mel. “With the prospect of three world-class events, some really positive swell predictions and increased prize money the Northern Hemisphere window looks set to be one of the most exciting yet.”