Oregon Pro
This year the Oregon Pro at Nelscott Reef in Oregon has become a Qualifying Series event. Defending champion is Alex Gray from Turkey Melt fame, and he has become a big wave surfer of some distinction over the last few years. The naturally talented natural-footer has become a serious charger in the last few years and will no doubt continue to do just that, stand to attention whenever the waves get serious. Out of the upcoming events in the Northern Hemisphere Alex has an invite into Todos and will no doubt be competing in the Nelscott Reef event as defending champion and the second Qualifying Series event …
Punta Galea Challenge
Nic Lamb is the defending champion, and he has been pushing hard to get his big results to continue. He is the defending champion and he also has the Titans Of Mavericks title to his name. Nic didn't have the best result at the opening event the Puerto Escondido Challenge in Mexico, but this does not faze him whatsoever. “I'm doing everything I need to do to show up at the events as the absolute best version of myself to compete,” said Lamb about the upcoming season. His Punta Galea performance for the win included a massive left towards the harbour wall at this right-breaking big wave spot that included a hell take off and a layback recovery in a pile of very big white water. Whether he wins the event for the second time or not, expect big things from Nic lamb in more ways than one.
Pe’ahi Challenge
Whoever won the Pe-ahi Challenge was going to become very, very famous. They were the biggest waves of the season, possibly the biggest waves ever seen for a competition, and every big wave surfer was hungry for a win, for glory, for vindication. In 40 to 50 foot waves it was young Billy Kemper who took the win by riding the biggest waves in the biggest event of the sport. Billy, who calls Pe’ahi his favourite wave in the world, was absolutely charging, as well as showing local knowledge from all the sessions he has had out there since he was 16 years old. Check this barrel …
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Todos Santos Challenge
Josh Kerr is one very versatile young surfer. Currently ranked 17th on the Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour, he also has the knowledge and ability to perform when it gets solid, as his win at the Todos Santos Challenge showed last year. Let’s not forget that Kerrzy also has a pretty outstanding career history, being two times world aerial surfing champion. His win last year at the Todos Santos Challenge was inspiring. While it wasn’t the biggest day at Todos, and some of the heats got fairly slow to be honest, Kerrzy still caught the biggest waves and rode them effectively to get the scores needed and to win the event from Greg Long (USA) and Carlos Burle (BRA).
“I have so much respect for the guys on this tour and those that regularly commit themselves to surfing big waves,” Kerr said in a post-event interview. “I have had the biggest smile on my face all day just getting to surf big waves with them. I’ve felt great all day and had complete confidence in my board. I’m really thankful for the opportunity to surf here today.”
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Josh Kerr wins the Todos Santos Challenge from STAB on Vimeo.
Nazaré Challenge
No winners’ names thus far in this brand-new event, but whoever wins this game-changer is going to make some serious name for themselves.
