Jaws gets the green light
If you read Swellnet's updated Pipeline forecast yesterday you would've noted the suggestion that the Jaws contest could run. The swell will easily reach the size threshold with the only consideration being wind direction and strength.
Overnight, the WSL has switched on the green light for Thursday (local time) saying, "E to ENE trades appears to be the likeliest scenario and current model guidance would suggest speed in the 15-18 knot range."
Expected wave heights should be 18'-20' with larger sets to 25' - or 35'-45' face height. The swell will strike late Wednesday, peaking overnight, meaning the largest waves will be early Thursday with the size tapering throughout the day.
The contest, full name the cbdMD Jaws Big Wave Championships, is one of only two contests on the abridged Big Wave Tour.
In the men's division, 24 competitors are divided into four heats of six surfers for the first round. Heats are generally 45 minutes and surfers may catch as many waves as they wish with a panel of five judges scoring each ride on a scale of 1 to 10.
Each competitor's two best waves are counted, with their best wave score doubled. The three highest-scoring surfers advance to the semifinals, which run in the same format, and the top three from the Semifinals advance to the Final.
The women's division runs in a similar format with 10 competitors participating in two five-surfer Semifinals with the top three surfers in each heat advancing to the Final.
Women’s Division
Paige Alms (HAW)
Justine Dupont (FRA)
Emily Erickson (HAW)
Raquel Heckert (BRA)
Keala Kennelly (HAW)
Andrea Moller (BRA)
Felicity Palmateer (AUS)
Bianca Valenti (USA)
Wildcard 1 TBD
Wildcard 2 TBD
Men’s Division
Grant Baker (ZAF)
Alex Botelho (PRT)
Russell Bierke (AUS)
Lucas Chianca (BRA)
Trevor Carlson (HAW)
Nathan Florence (HAW)
Natxo Gonzalez (EUK)
Greg Long (USA)
Mark Healey (HAW)
Billy Kemper (HAW)
Kai Lenny (HAW)
Albee Layer (HAW)
Tyler Larronde (HAW)
Nic Lamb (USA)
Tom Lowe (GBR)
Torrey Meister (HAW)
Jamie Mitchell (AUS)
Jojo Roper (USA)
Koa Rothman (HAW)
Makuakai Rothman (HAW)
Nic von Rupp (PRT)
Ian Walsh (HAW)
Wildcard 1 TBD
Wildcard 2 TBD
Comments
That photo of KK has to be amongst the most amazing photos of all time.
Hari Kari
That shit is inspiring. Not that I want to replicate it , just the grim faced determination involved. Hardcore.
True
It's just so next level. So much faith in his equipment. I can't believe boards can hold through turns under so much pressure not to mention the maniacs who steer them.
*her
So i'm guessing it's too small for Ross Clarke Jones?
Shane Dorian ?
Dorian said no on the webcast, sore back etc etc, and said doesn't want to ruin his year from one wipeout. Shows what they're dealing with!
Dorian has had a crook back for ages. He wasn't surfing much because of his back when I crossed paths with him in Sumbawa a few months ago.
Camel? Where's camel?
No Camel .....no HX bros........
Russell the love mussel for the win
Do it to me one more time...
And another one of Twig, from ten years ago this month and without an inflatable vest.
Go full screen for the complete bug-on-the-windscreen experience.
Oh my, the force of that slam down when in the lip going back over, would obliterate most!!
Full screen scream... gulp. He was doing so well....
That’s sickening.
Billy Kemper has made it into the Pipe main event. I suppose he will have to bail on pipe?
Doubt it. Less than hour's flight between islands, and they won't run the same day.
They aren't running Pipe in a big Jaws swell. He will do both.
Not that damned maui glass wind again
its hard to watch, lucky to make it out alive
Bierke for the win I reckon!
10pm in Hawaii, the 51101 buoy is still heading north:
Do you know roughly how far ahead those buoy readings are from hitting jaws stunet? Is it around 8 hours? The Waimea wave buoy hasn't seen a steep kick in swell yet.
It's approximately 10 hours ahead.
i watched it \ big and beautiful.