- WSL / Rommel Gonzales
- WSL / Rommel Gonzales
Rothman's Triumph
The Hawaiian big wave surfer reflects on his meteoric rise on the WSL Big Wave Tour.

After winning the first event of the Big Wave Tour (BWT) season and finishing runner-up in the second, Makuakai Rothman (HAW) has won the 2014/2015 BWT title. He competed as a BWT wildcard and surpassed all expectations, wrapping up the season with 20,833 points on the BWT rankings, That's almost 7,000 points ahead of this year's runner-up, Gabriel Villaran (PER).

"I just love surfing, it's who I am," Rothman said. "When you've been surfing all your life you just catch waves. If you're having fun out there there's no reason you can't be at the top. I'm not the kind of person who thinks so much. I just do."

Rothman Delivers in Punta Galea Final
Rothman scores big during the Punta Galea Challenge.

Rothman said earlier in the season that he doesn't consider himself the best 'small wave' surfer around. But when the conditions get heavy the Hawaiian's true talent begins to shine.

"It's another world title for Hawaii," said BWT Commissioner Peter Mel. "Makua expressed early on that he wanted to participate in a big way and his dream was to be part of the tour. So, definitely, congratulations are in order."

Read the official WSL release about Rothman's win. And don't miss the Big Wave Awards show, where Rothman and other big wave chargers will be honored Friday, May 1, LIVE at worldsurfleague.com.

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