Wavelength Surf Magazine – since 1981

All The Best Moments From The Pe’ahi Challenge!

Walsh pulling in. Photo Hallman // WSL

Yesterday saw the culmination of two days of crazy big wave action on Maui, with Ian Walsh and Paige Alms reigning victorious.

Photo Hallman // WSLWalsh pulling in. Photo Hallman // WSLPhoto Hallman // WSL Makuakai Rothman. Photo Heff // WSLKai Lenny. Photo Saguibo // WSLRyan Hipwood. Photo Hallman // WSL

The WSL press release  details how ‘Event officials have rated this year’s Pe’ahi Challenge a Gold coefficient.’ We’re not sure what exactly that means, but it certainly was a damn fine event, with some of the craziest tubes we’ve ever seen at Jaws going down on finals day. Whilst there were impressive showings from the likes of Ryan Hipwood and Billy Kemper it was event wildcard and eventual winner Ian Walsh stole the show, with this perfect ten point ride in his semi:




“This is a really big honour and I’m stoked that I can follow Billy (Kemper) and keep this thing on Maui,” said Walsh. “It was an incredible couple days of surfing, some challenging lulls but everyone here surfed really, really well and it was a pleasure to be in the water with them. It was fun to watch each heat almost, our sport progress as the waves got bigger and better. It feels just like those big free surf days, so I’m really honoured and stoked.”

Dive into the full highlight reel here: