I made the trip over to Maui to catch the first Pe'ahi Challenge. The spot, also known as Jaws, is home to the largest surf on the planet. I have always wanted to witness the ocean's power and majesty at this mythical break and on this day, I was not disappointed. As dawn broke, a rainbow formed framing the wave as the sun made it's way up and through the early morning clouds. A small group of witnesses gathered on the cliff. Warm offshore breeze funneled down from the hills fanning the salt spray off the waves giving them an even more impressive presence. Enjoy my photographic documentation of this special day in surfing history.
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| Flying in to beautiful Maui |
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| The Duke would have loved this masterful display of surfing |
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| A Pe'ahi inspired gate leading to a cliff side compound |
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| Gary Linden, the man behind the Big Wave World Tour concept looking stoked |
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| As dawn broke, Pe'ahi showed her majestic beauty |
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| The first wave ridden was by an unlikely teenager from the U.K. who attempted to paddle from the boat launch a couple miles away and was given a sympathetic jet ski ride by no other than Greg Long. He choose an inside closeout and was quickly rescued by WSL water safety. His foolish tale can be read here. |
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| After this kid was hauled out and taken to the channel, shit got serious. Shane Dorian muscled his way into an absolute beast of a wave using every bit of skill he could muster to pull off this windswept 4 story drop. |
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| Next up was 23 year old Maul local Kai Lenny showing a casual and comfortable style in the heavy conditions. |
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| Aussie Mark Matthews made this heroic drop only to be detonated in the whitewater. He suffered a broken collarbone for his effort. |
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| One wave with two Ryans. Josh Ryan & Ryan Hipwood share one before the contest started and get mowed. |
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| Dorian |
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| Francisco Porcella |
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| Damian Hobgood |
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| The left across the bay looking quite towable |
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| Maui local Billy Kemper basically put on a clinic in how to paddle surf Jaws. |
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| Brazillian veteran Carlos Burle took a terrifying wipeout |
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| As did North Shore charger Dave Wassel |
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| Billy Kemper finding his groove |
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| ...again |
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| Peruvian Gabriel Villaran |
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| Carlos Burle, take 2 |
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| Gabriel Villaran |
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| Carlos on top of a bomb |
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| in a bad situation |
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| Nic Vaughan charging into a solid one |
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| Nathan Fletcher |
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| Dave Wassel on top of a mountain. He chose to kick out. |
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| Kemper... |
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| didn't make 'em all |
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| Wassel in a foamy sea |
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| Maui local Shaun Walsh |
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| Pat Gudauskas |
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| Greg Long on a big wave |
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| Shaun Walsh |
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| Trevor Carlson |
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| Greg Long on a beast |
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| Aaron Gold |
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| Makua Rothman on top but could not get down this enormous wave. |
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| Shaun Walsh |
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| Tyler Larronde |
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| Nic Lamb |
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| Yuri Soledade |
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| Maui local Albee Layer |
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| Mark Healey having a look at the left. |
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| Tyler Larronde |
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| Sketchy board saving attempt |
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| Tyler again |
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| Healey would go! |
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| Albee waves to the cameras |
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| Dorian |
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| Ian Walsh |
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| Kai |
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| Dorian |
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| Koa Rothman had a dramatic wipeout to bodysurf |
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| Ian Walsh |
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| Naxto Gonzalez |
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| Carlos Burle |
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| Greg Long |
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| Kemper |
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| Greg Long |
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| Gabriel Villaran |
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| Mark Healey |
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| Kai |
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| Nic Lamb |
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| Kai |
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| Nic Lamb |
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| Dorian & Healey split the peak |
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| Kai |
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| Ian Walsh snowboarding |
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| Gnarly |
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| Ian |
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| Albee |
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| Albee |
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| Ian |
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| Albee |
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| Kemper |
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| Albee |
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| Long |
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| Albee |
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| This trip was facilitated by two of the best, Vallarie & Diane. I couldn't have done it without you two. Mahalo! |
