Jaws Challenge goes on Green Alert!
Updated: The BWT have flicked the switch from yellow to green and the Jaws Challenge is a go. Curiously they seem to have settled on just Monday - the yellow alert applied to both Monday and Tuesday.
As always, we'll be live streaming it on Swellnet. First call is at 7:30 am Monday local time which is 4:30 am Tuesday in Sydney, 4:00 am Tuesday in Adelaide, and a sleepy 1:30 am in Perth.
Previous story: As hinted on Swellnet earlier this week, the Jaws Challenge has gone on Yellow Alert as Big Wave Tour (BWT) organisers track a storm in the North Pacific.
The storm, which is actually the second in a series of storms, will come within 1,000 kms of Hawaii. The swell will build through Monday local time, peaking late afternoon or evening. Due to the timing, and also the forecast of strong easterly trades that may play havoc on Monday afternoon, the BWT organisers have left the option open to run on either Monday, Tuesday, or on both days.
A Green Alert has to be issued 48 hours before the scheduled start time, that leaves just 24 hours to watch the development of the storm.
Ryan Hipwood at last year's Jaws Challenge
Jaws Challenge Competitor List:
Men:
WSL Big Wave Tour Top Ten Seeds: Billy Kemper, Kai Lenny, Ian Walsh, Makuakai Rothman, Lucas Chianca, Jamie Mitchell, Tom Lowe, Alex Botelho, Greg Long, Natxo Gonzalez
Injury Wildcard: Will Skudin
BWA Performer of the Year Qualifiers: Grant Baker, Nathan Florence, Jojo Roper, Russell Bierke
Jaws Event Invitees: Shane Dorian, Albee Layer, Mark Healey, Aaron Gold, Francisco Porcella, Tyler Larronde
WSL Big Wave Tour Invitees: Three to be selected on Green Light
Women:
WSL Women's Big Wave Tour Four Seeds: Paige Alms, Keala Kennelly, Justine Dupont, Bianca Valenti
BWA Women's Performer of the Year Qualifier: Maya Gabeira
Jaws Event Invitees: Andrea Moller, Felicity Palmateer, Emily Erickson, Jamilah Star, WSL Commissioner's Selection TBD
Alternates:
Men:
BWA Performer of the Year Alternate: Ryan Hipwood
Jaws Event Invitee Alternates: Danilo Couto, Yuri Soledade, DK Walsh
Women:
Jaws Event Alternates: Nicole Pacelli, Isabelle Leonhardt, Raquel Heckert
Comments
Big wave surfing seems to be progressing quite rapidly - barrels and turns seem to be the norm now. Public excitement seems to be increasing as well. I wonder whether we'll see a big shift in interest away from traditional competitive surfing towards big wave surfing.
It’s an interesting theory, Denyer, perhaps there’s some research on the topic.
Say, if you interviewed 100 people on the topic ‘surfing’, Gary wonders what the most popular answers would be?
Not one mention of a yellow alert ...aka golden shower. Gary I am disappointed.
Sorry for disappointing you, LD. Clearly Gary has been a bad boy, and bad boys deserve punishment. Or so Gary hears.
The thing with this Yellow Alert business, is that Gary’s a man of sponteneity who likes to issue a wide consent early in advance. As such he prefers the yellow without the alert
No alert but definitely a safety word right Gary?
(Green is for Guppies v Code Red for Tsunamis) Why would WSL/BWT reverse colour code?
[1855] Semaphore Red/Yellow code replaced SLSA blue/white flags [1935] during wartime
Post war colours remained in part due to remembrance of 'clubbies still overboard'.
SLSA bank with us or drown...red/yellow warning > US/UK milk same Big Bro guilt trip.
Euro+S'America + France poo poo Oz threats and hang onto honest Green >Yellow> Red.
Japan helps evacuate the Surf with Large Orange Flags.
Red Bull Cape Fear send emails 2 days out & ban all spectators from site.
BWT is yet another 2 day Race around the World comp.
WSL+ BWT tours seem to defy all surf safety tradition.
* Reverses ocean danger colour code > (Red= Flat/ Yellow=Mid size/Green= Tsunami)
* Forever hosts [BEACH CLOSED] Parties amidst Cyclone/Hurricane warnings
* Overcrowding spectators pinned against cliff faces bashed by mountainous seas
Red Flags! [BEACH CLOSED] Has long been universal Lifeguard practice
Oz lifeguards can face the sack if identified surfing monster swells.
Big surf once pulled crowds now cancels SLSA events!
Ironically Eddie would be busy clearing his own event leaving no time for a big wave surf.
When waves reach Tsunami size WSL override all laws by reversing the Colour Wheel.
Everything flips on it's head! "[GREEN ALERT]" (WTF) In what world is that even a thing?
Extra Buses/Free Shuttles feed more to the Tsunami ! None are evacuating [BEACH CLOSED]
Hawaiian Governor's Green Alert orders Islanders to join hands looping leis over Tsunamis.'
Turning an economic disaster into a money spinner(Get your Lava bomb tour combo ticket)
Each & every Oz Tsunami Alert sees Oz outback swamp the Coastline for a Tsunami selfie.
I can't recall nor envisage a Tsunami evacuation plan ever being put into practice.
A taste of Jaws-Hollywood Style... Choppers surfing over boardriders/Boats/Whales...
Green means go. Cased closed, your honour.
How good is hippo? 2 of the best bazs 1 at Cloudbreak and 1 at jaws, legend!
Judge! I won't argue Dingodude 'Green means Go' ...
My appeal is based on 'Green Alert!' Do we really need a flashing 'Green Alert' to get going?
"Sounds a bit too lazy... even for Millennials your Honour!"
So inert I had to find if something was that slow it needed a 'Green Alert'... Bingo! Old Folks!
Exhibit A ...google
'Green Alert' (Begin the search for a missing Veteran) Tip! Lame colour for Big Wave Comp!
'Amber Alert' ('Pause' the search for a missing child) Yellow - weak alert for Big Surf Comp!
'Red Alert' [EMERGENCY] Tsunami / Invasion! Code: Red [DANGER] # Big Wave surf Event!
I argue preservation of universal [Code: RED] Big Wave Surf Comp
Your Honour!
WSL/ BWT argue the change to "Green Alert" Big Wave Surfing Event.
Case 1. WSL/BWT 'Green Alert' mistakingly gathered surfers for a Veteran's surf Comp.
Case 2. WSL veteran accidentally got shacked at Jaws triggering a 'Green Alert'.
Case 3. WSL/BWT event caused a Veterans Log Jam triggering another 'Green Alert'.
Case 4. Up next is WSL/ BWT vs Veteran Surfers (Trial) over misuse of 'Green Alert!'
Judge agrees with WSL that 'Green Alert' can relate to Surfing Jaws...
Green Alert is the new Black Alert...never saw that coming! My apology to all & vets!
It’s been called on
Don't tell me you're flying over there Shoredump?
If there was an underwhelming swell following it, I’d be all over it
Ha ha ha....
Very funny TBB I love colour therapy. But I am upset that the rainbow has been hijacked by the same sex community. "Nothing wrong with same sex marriages," said the Irish man, "my wife and I have been having the same sex for years."
Green/Yellow/Red panic buttons = 3 or more WSL events run simultaneously
(WSL psychedelic neon Alert)
Your free WSL Alert/Swellnet colour decoder.
1) Green Alert (Nov 25th Sunday) World Cup Triple Crown II (Mens) @ Sunset Beach
2) Yellow Alert (Nov 26th Monday) BWT II (Big wave)Jaws Challenge
3) Amber Alert (Nov 26th Monday) WLC (Longboard) Men+Women's Crowns Taiwan
4) Orange Alert (Nov 26th Monday-27th Tuesday ) Maui Pro WWT (Chix) Crown
5) Red Alert (Dec 1 Saturday) WJC (Groms) Crown
Sophie says the biggest WSL week ever!
Note: All 5 WSL events will be webcast live...stay tuned to Swellnet for more.
Big wave riding the most exciting viewing there is. Denyer is right it is progressing rapidly. Expect to see floaters, airs and maybe some spinny things!
Gone are the boring old days of just going straight and holding on for dear life! The masses must be entertained!!
Ill be setting the alarm, I'm pumped!
You guys will probably have an article about the Eddie up shortly but I was just reading Joel Parko is in this years Eddie.
Ahead of Jamie Sterling, Kalani Chapman etc who are alternates. Has anyone ever seen a photo of Parko out at Waimea?
I've seen photos of him doing step offs at snapper when it got above 6 foot.
Great to see! Hippo and Russ en route.
goofyfoot I assume you're talking about his heavy wipeout.
I recall he dropped -in on Kelly! Who did well to make the wave! (What of Parko?)
I 'm remembering it clearly now! He near took Kelly's head clean off.
Yeah! & Kelly knew nothing of it...Such a lucky escape... (In each others pocket those two?)
Footage was on Oz NEWS (Package)...No! I've not seen it since either!
Recommend chasing Kelly @ Waimea results & check for Joel in the same heat...It's a start!
Reminiscent of Jamie Mitchell Semi final Drop-in wipeout at Nazare!
Eddie Aikau was remembered for saving 500 lives during a decade on North Shore
His legacy:(The Eddie) Lifeguard now prevents 500 deaths a day standard at Waimea.
Green Alert on/off no matter! Hawaiian pilgrimage has little to do with Eddie or Big Waves.
Imagine Hawaiian Governor's job is to shuttle 30-40,000 spectators freely to North Shore.
Lifeguard's job is to prevent 30-40,000 spectators from reaching Waimea Bay contest Site.
The Waves chase 1,000's of spectators up beach onto rocks then into traffic lanes...
On their return to the ocean the shorebreak waves deposit as many people back out to sea.
Meanwhile Sophie's tea party swans acres of prime headland...[NO TRESPASSING]
We see each Big Wave site being less accessible in violent weather for comp Size waves.
Only the wealthy can book into isolated venues. Big wave surfing is cornered by the rich.
Captain Cook Surfboard monuments already litter every Big Wave headland.
Chix/Bodyboarderz/Bodybasherz/Cameramen suck it up...No toilet seat for them.
Rich Kidz lifelined to space stations spitting out Captain America stickers...History Repeats!
Yes! Of course I'll watch...if Blokes ride inflatable shark & Chix surf the Rainbow Unicorn!
Sorry Crew! Here's the behind the scenes look at 'The Eddie'
https://thesilversword.com/features/2016/02/12/conditions-stop-the-eddi…
Checked the pipe cam on Sunset and it was huge. Looked to be 3rd reefing and stacked to the horizon and clean.