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 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.
Congratulations Rothman, Big Wave Tour Champ
WSL
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 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.
Makuakai Rothman
2020 Ride of the Year Entry: Makua Rothman at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on December 12, 2019. Angle 2. Video by WSL VIdeo Team
2020 Ride of the Year Entry: Makua Rothman at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on December 12, 2019. Angle 1. Video by WSL VIdeo Team
2020 Ride of the Year Entry: Makua Rothman at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on December 12, 2019. Video by Marcus Rodrigues
Opening Day of the VTCS saw a colorful display of culture
Opening day of the QS 3,000 saw excellent conditions and performances from proven winners
News
The 2024 Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro victor Erin Brooks isn't letting off the pedal as she debuts in dominant form at Narrabeen with a 14.00 heat
Basque Country's Nadia Erostarbe delivered an excellent 8.00 to kickstart her Narrabeen run and notches a Round of 16 appearance.
Local Motion Continues Its Legacy Event at Ala Moana Bowls, Men's and Women's QS and Longboard Regional QS Back In Action, All-Important
The 2024/2025 Hawaii/Tahiti Nui Qualifying Series kicks off alongside the all-important WSL Longboard Tour qualifier event featuring the
The first WSL Longboard event held at Ala Moana Bowls last year provided an incredible day of poise and grace with Sophia Culhane and the