Rothman: Underdog Rising

As the Big Wave Tour approaches the close of its North American season, Makuakai Rothman (HAW) is poised to become the champion. See what he had to say about his runaway success this year.

Rothman Goes Huge in Peru

Rothman stood out in heat after heat at the Pico Alto Challenge last July. But it was this wave that had judge -- and fans -- with jaws on the floor.

Makaukai Rothman is currently ranked No. 1 on the BWT rankings after winning the season's first event at Pico Alto, Peru and finishing runner-up at Punta Galea, Spain. Born and raised on the North Shore of Oahu, Rothman grew up surfing big waves, and admits he's not the best small wave surfer. As for the BWT? In Rothman's view, with his background and mindset there's no reason why he shouldn't be on top. During a big day at Pipe, he took a break from watching -- mostly -- to talk shop.

World Surf League: You're having tremendous success on the BWT this year. Where's your headspace at?
Makuakai Rothman: [shouting] Oh man!

I've never had booties on and a full wetsuit.

WSL: Makua?
MR: Sorry, this wave just came in and just cleaned the whole beach right out! Maverick's style. [laughs] My headspace right now is happy -- the waves are getting big.

WSL: Maui's Pe'ahi Challenge almost ran in January. What did you do once the Yellow Alert was called?
MR: I was pretty relaxed. Everyone [was talking] about it when the storm hadn't even blown in. It wasn't optimal because it was before anything happened. When they called it on I was just kind of relieved. I'm tired of thinking about it. I'm just ready to surf.

Ready to Rock

Makuakai Rothman, the winner of the first BWT stop at Pico Alto, on what it takes to win.

WSL: What do you do once a Green Alert is called?
MR: I make sure my stuff is packed ahead of time so I don't have to scramble at the last minute. I spend time with my daughter and love her up because I'll be gone for a while.

WSL: Did you approach the second event -- the Punta Galea Challenge -- any differently having won in Peru, the first event of the season?
MR: I'd never been there before so I didn't even know what to expect. It's not the easiest task. I see Twiggy (Grant Baker) come in catching the waves. I just went out there and did what I did. I think I should have won, but second's great and on to the next one. I didn't have any expectations. I just wanted to go out there and have a great time. I've never even had booties on and a full wetsuit. I was nervous and since before that I didn't even know what that felt like.

It's better being the underdog. The pressure isn't on me, it's on them.

WSL: Do you still feel like an underdog?
MR: That's what I usually do. I've never been too highly regarded. Just like soccer growing up, or water polo anything I've ever done. Some of these guys are all of a sudden big wave surfers when I've been doing it all my life. It's better being the underdog. The pressure isn't on me, it's on them. I just love surfing. It's who I am. I went and showed that if it's cold water or warm water I'm ready to go.

WSL: Do you remember the first time you stood up on a wave?
MR: I remember the first time I went over the falls. I was 6 years old and my dad tried to push me into a wave and I went backwards. Up, up and away. It doesn't get much worse than that.

Rothman at the Desk

Makuakai Rothman had a big year on the Big Wave Tour. Hear his take.

WSL: Do you approach surfing differently now that you have a daughter?
MR: I don't really let that get in my way because you can't hesitate when you're out there. In fact, I went straight from hospital to winning my first contest. Right before Pico Alto I gave mommy a kiss and wrapped the baby in a blanket. I was still wearing my hospital bracelet during the competition.

I guess I have a fiercely competitive spirit. I don't just want to be an elite surfer but an elite athlete and all-around performer. When I do what I do I just tap into my grom and get it done.

I've always been fighting for my life. The family I was born into wasn't exactly the Brady Bunch.

WSL: Where do you think that comes from, that fierce competitiveness?
MR: A lot of things. I think it might come from being asthmatic and needing to get my lungs working. I've never been able to breathe well and sports really helped me. I feel like I've always been fighting for my life. The family I was born into wasn't exactly the Brady Bunch. When I was just a kid the cops came in and kicked down our door ... When times get hard, like when competition is hard, you gotta dig deep like back when I was a kid. I don't blame anybody for what happened to me. It just made me stronger and wiser.

If the Pe'ahi Challenge or the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau run, catch Rothman competing in them LIVE on worldsurfleague.com. Waiting periods for both contests close February 28.