PE'AHI, Maui/Hawaii - Local Hawaiian Billy Kemper (HAW) has emerged victorious on a monumental day for the surfing world with the planet's best big wave riders taking on unprecedented wave heights at Pe'ahi for the maiden World Surf League (WSL) Big Wave Tour (BWT) competition held on the island of Maui.
Hailing from the nearby Maui town of Ho'okipa, near the amphitheater-esque cliffs of the infamous big wave venue at 'Jaws,' Kemper has beat out an international field of big wave gladiators to claim the crown as Pe'ahi Challenge champion on a day that saw 40'-to-50' foot waves contested with no shortage of action, carnage and high drama.
Catching the first wave of the event, the new BWT Rankings Leader never looked back and earned great rides throughout the day, bettering his single-wave scores with each, successive round. The 25-year-old put up a highlight reel of impressive surfing - earning an 8.00 (out of a possible 10) in the Final, which, with the BWT format, equivalates to a 16.00 (out of a possible 20) as a surfer's top score is scored twice. Backing it up with a 6.77, the Maui native came away with a historic win.
With the treacherous swell in the water, each of the surfers and WSL water-safety staff kept a close watch on all involved in the event, with several dramatic wipeouts recorded on the live broadcast.
"We passed the word talking out there and I told the boys we can always surf another big day at Jaws but we can never replace each other," Kemper said. "The main thing is at the end of the day to come back our families. I'm there for everyone and they're all there for me.
Earning runner-up and also a Pe'ahi 'grom', Albee Layer (HAW), 24, showcased his affinity for the barrel - earning a standup tube ride that was rewarded with a 7.60. Riding an 8'8", the shortest equipment in the event, Layer looked unstoppable heading into the Final.
Earning a third-place, a true legend of the big wave sport, Greg Long (USA) secured the highest single-scoring wave of a 9.00 alongside Shaun Walsh (HAW), during his Round 2 heat - pulling a critical drop and locking into a massive barrel that he was unable to come out of. The 32-year-old Californian knows this lineup all too well and couldn't believe the waves that were coming in.
Universally-respected big wave surfer, Ian Walsh (HAW) had an incredible day at Pe'ahi, winning his Round 1 heat and advancing to the Final behind Albee Layer (HAW) in the Semifinals. Walsh also had one of the heaviest wipeouts of the day, but continued to charge through nonetheless.
Making his maiden voyage to the infamous break at Pe'ahi, Gabriel Villaran (PER) showed his prowess in taking on the world's best, including a stacked local lineup, and making a run to the Final - topping Shane Dorian (USA) in the Final. Earning his spot to the Final with a buzzer beater, the Peruvian was elated coming out of his Semifinal heat.
For more go to www.worldsurfleague.com. The window for the BWT Northern Hemisphere began on October 12, 2015 and extends through February 28, 2016 with three more contests scheduled including: Oregon Challenge at Nelscott Reef, Lincoln City, Oregon; Punta Galea Challenge, Punta Galea, Basque County, Spain; and Todos Santos Challenge, Todos Santos, Baja California, México.