Official holding period for the big wave season 2021/2022 now open

The world’s best big wave surfers are back on call as the holding period for the 2021/2022 big wave season of the World Surf League (WSL) officially opened today. The official holding period for the WSL Big Wave competitions runs until March 31, 2022.

This year’s big wave season, the Quiksilver “Jaws” Big Wave Challenge will take place in PeÊ»ahi, Maui, and the Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge, presented by Jogos Santa Casa, will feature the best of big wave surfing in each discipline Paddle and tow-in is presented.

Quiksilver “Jaws” Big Wave Challenge

The Quiksilver “Jaws” Big Wave Challenge offers paddle-in surfing in an individual competition format in PeÊ»ahi, Maui. For the men, 24 participants are divided into four preliminary runs by six surfers for the first round. Heats generally last 45 minutes and surfers can catch as many waves as they like, with a jury of five judges rating each ride on a scale of 1 to 10. The two best waves of each participant are counted, with their best wave score being doubled. The three surfers with the highest number of points reach the semi-finals, which will be played in the same format, and the three best surfers from the semi-finals advance to the finals.

The women’s division runs in a similar format with 12 competitors taking part in two six-surfer semi-finals, with the top three surfers moving into the finals in each run.

Invited Quiksilver Jaws Big Wave Challenge:

Female invitees

1 – Paige Alms (HAW)
2 – Felicity Palmateer (AUS)
3 – Annie Reickert (HAW)
4 – Keala Kennelly (HAW)
5 – Emily Erickson (HAW)
6 – Michaela Fregonese (BRA)
7 – Bianca Valenti (USA)
8 – Skylar-Lickle (HAW)
9 – Justine Dupont (FRA)
10 – Raquel Heckert (BRA)
11 – Laura Enever (AUS)
12 – Izzy Gomez (COL)

Male invitees

1 – Billy Kemper (HAW)
2 – Ian Walsh (HAW)
3 – Nathan Florence (HAW)
4 – Kai Lenny (HAW)
5 – Makua Rothman (HAW)
6 – Lucas Chianca (BRA)
7 – Russell Bierke (AUS)
8 – Nic Von Rupp (PRT)
9 – Eli Olson (HAW)
10 – Torrey Meister (HAW)
11 – Koa Rothman (HAW)
12 – Nic Lamb (USA)
13 – Grant Baker (ZAF)
14 – Jamie Mitchell (AUS)
15 – Albee Layer (HAW)
16 – Tyler Larronde (HAW)
17 – Jojo Roper (USA)
18 – Ty Simpson Kane (HAW)
19 – Matt Bromley (ZAF)
20 – Francisco Porcella (ITA)
21 – Trevor Carlson (HAW)
22- Tom Lowe (GBR)
23 – Aaron Gold (HAW)
24 – Greg Long (USA)

Quiksilver returns to big wave surfing in Hawaii

Quiksilver, one of the best-known brands in surfing, has signed up for a long-term partnership as the title partner of the Big Wave Challenge “Jaws”. Through this partnership, Quiksilver and WSL will further cement their support for big wave surfing in Hawaii for years to come.

“Endorsing big wave surfing in Hawaii has always been at the core of Quiksilver’s DNA and has played a crucial role in the rich history of our company,” said Brad Blankinship, Quiksilver’s global general manager. “We are proud to partner with WSL on the Quiksilver Jaws Big Wave Challenge.”

“We are very excited to have this iconic brand at Jaws,” said Cherie Cohen, WSL’s chief revenue officer. “Quiksilver pioneered innovation and promoted security tools that have become the industry standard. The Quiksilver Jaws Big Wave Challenge is one of the most anticipated events of the season and together we will celebrate the brave men and women who will surf this great Hawaiian wonder. “

Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge pres. from Jogos Santa Casa

The Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge presented by Jogos Santa Casa is a one-day special team event with tow-in surfing. Nine teams with two participants per team are formed. Hawaii’s only candidate is Kai Lenny from Maui, who is part of Team 1.

Event officials will monitor swell-producing storms and be on the lookout for the exact conditions that waves create in the competition area. Once the call is made from event officials, contestants have 72 hours to be ready for the competition.

For safety and environmental reasons, there is no location available for participation in the Quiksilver “Jaws” Big Wave Challenge. On the day of the competition, there will be no parking spaces for non-residents on either side of the Hāna Highway near the venue.

The Quiksilver “Jaws” Big Wave Challenge and the Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge pres. Jogos Santa Casa will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL app and on the WSL YouTube channel. Also, check the local lists for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners.

The Quiksilver “Jaws” Big Wave Challenge is supported by Quiksilver, Michelob ULTRA and Red Bull. The Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge pres. by Jogos Santa Casa is proudly supported by Jogos Santa Casa, Corona, Red Bull, MEO, Hertz, Tourism Portugal and the Nazare City Council.

For more information, visit WorldSurfLeague.com.