It may have taken half the day to finally get started, but Day 1 of the 2017 Pe'ahi Challenge was more than worth the wait. The late arriving swell, that more than made up for what it lacked in height with rugged intensity, kicked in around midday and proceeded to dish up thumping 40-foot plus set waves by the truck load. And a crew of Maui big wave surfers - led by Ian Walsh and Billy Kemper - didn't disappoint hundreds of locals lining the cliff overlooking the wave also known as Jaws. The Maui Boys dominated Round One, with two other Valley Isle natives, Albee Layer and Kai Lenny, joining Walsh and Kemper in the Semifinals. Here's a slice of some of the day's best best action. Photo: Sophie Louca
Highlight Reel: Pe'ahi Power
WSL
It may have taken half the day to finally get started, but Day 1 of the 2017 Pe'ahi Challenge was more than worth the wait. The late arriving swell, that more than made up for what it lacked in height with rugged intensity, kicked in around midday and proceeded to dish up thumping 40-foot plus set waves by the truck load. And a crew of Maui big wave surfers - led by Ian Walsh and Billy Kemper - didn't disappoint hundreds of locals lining the cliff overlooking the wave also known as Jaws. The Maui Boys dominated Round One, with two other Valley Isle natives, Albee Layer and Kai Lenny, joining Walsh and Kemper in the Semifinals. Here's a slice of some of the day's best best action. Photo: Sophie Louca
Up Next
Epic Conditions Continue in Indo
More Videos
Epic Conditions Continue in Indo
Epic Conditions Continue in Indo
The Deputy Commissioner breaks down rankings and seeding for the 2018 Championship Tour -- with the Margaret River Pro cancellation.
Kieren Perrow and Renato Hickel on the Margaret River Pro cancellation.
Checking in at Lost Surfboards in San Clemente. Subtitled.
Take a tour of WSL headquarters in Santa Monica, California. Yew! Subtitled.
Behind-the-scenes look at the athletes and early rounds of the 2018 Gold Coast event. Em português.
Let's hit the town! There's a music festival, waves caught, koalas, and brain-freezes. Subtitled.
It's finals day, and the production crew sets up in Kirra. Subtitled.
Felipe Marcondes hangs with Italo Ferreira during 2018 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast. Em português.
Follow WSL's Felipe Marcondes as he covers 2018 Gold Coast. Em Português.
Carissa Moore, Stephanie Gilmore and Tyler Wright all powered to the Quarters Monday. Plus: Bronte Macaulay breaks through.
The World Surf League will host a first-ever Junior event in Brittany at the world-famous La Torche point in May 2018.
The first day of the Krui Pro went down in pumping surf.
The women's Margaret River Pro marched through Round 3 Monday with some huge performances and frustrating slips.
Pumping surf for final day of Mitchum Buffalo City Surf Pro pres. by Reef Wetsuits
Women and Junior Women's Champions crowned at Mitchum Buffalo City Surf Pro pres. by Reef Wetsuits
Top action from Main Break at the Margaret River Pro.
A few heavy hitters go down in Round 2, while local knowledge prevails at Main Break.
Sebastian Zietz scores a few while Round 2 of the Margaret River Pro gets underway at Main Break.
A look at Main Break, the swell magnet of West Oz, as we continue into Round 2 at the Margaret River Pro.
Opening day of the Mitchum Buffalo City Surf Pro pres. by Reef Wetsuits in East London
The inside ledge at Margaret River's backup location was a point of pain and gain for the men and women in Round 1.
Saturday was all about either thriving or simply surviving at North Point as the men and women charged through the first round.