LOS ANGELES, California/USA (Monday, May 1, 2017) - The world's best big wave surfers are back on call as the first half of the 2017 World Surf League (WSL) Big Wave Tour (BWT) season officially opens today. With a window running from May 1, 2017 to August 31, 2017, the Southern Hemisphere has the potential to run at one of the heaviest waves on the planet -- Mainland Mexico's Puerto Escondido.
WSL Big Wave Tour officials will be monitoring swell-producing storms for the entire window, watching for the precise conditions that will produce waves in the 30-60 foot range at Puerto Escondido. Once the call is made, competitors will have 72 hours notice to be ready to compete.
The 24-man field for the Puerto Escondido Challenge will be comprised of the Top 10 finishers of the 2016/2017 BWT season, 6 event wildcards, 3 BWT wildcards, 1 injury wildcard, and the Top 4 Surfline Overall Performance of the Year Award recipients. The total prize for the event will be $100,000.
The WSL BWT events cover three unique potential venues, all anticipating waves in excess of 25-feet to run. Each venue will challenge 24 of the best big wave surfers on the planet to battle the elements and commit to riding the most harrowing waves across three continents:
Southern Hemisphere: May 1 - August 31, 2017
- Puerto Escondido Challenge: Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Northern Hemisphere: October 15 - January 31, 2018
- Nazare Challenge: Nazare, Portugal
- Pe'ahi Challenge: Haiku, Hawaii
Also on the upcoming schedule will be the second annual WSL Women's Big Wave Championship, to be run in conjunction with the Pe'ahi Challenge this winter in Hawaii.
"The WSL remains committed to supporting a women's division within its Big Wave competition structure," said Mike Parsons, WSL Big Wave Tour Commissioner. "Our goal is to provide an opportunity for the best women's big wave surfers to be showcased in legitimate and challenging waves every season. We are excited to announce that the WSL Women's Big Wave Championship event will be held at Pe'ahi again this year."
For more information, log onto WorldSurfLeague.com.
2017 BWT Puerto Escondido Invite List
WSL BWT Top 10
Grant Baker
Pedro Calado
Greg Long
Jamie Mitchell
Billy Kemper
Nic Lamb
Will Skudin
João De Macedo
Cristian Merello
Kai Lenny
BWA Perfomer of the Year
Lucas Chianca
Francisco Porcella
Trevor Sven Carlson
Tom Lowe
Event Wildcards
Coco Nogales
Jimel Corzo
Angelo Lozano
Rogercin Ramirez
Jose Ramirez
Oscar Moncada
BWT Invitees
Mark Healey
Peter Mel
Damien Hobgood
BWA Performer of the Year Alternates
Nathan Florence
Alex Botelho
Jojo Roper
Puerto Escondido Event Invitee Alternates
Marcial Monreal Gutierrez
Cesar Petroni