North Shore Double

TWIGGY ON TOP: Grant Baker leads the BWT standings after a win and a 5th. Photo WSL / Hallman

With the event downgraded from the monstrous size of Monday to a smaller Silver Coeffecient day, Kemper gets the same points as Grant Twiggy Baker for his win at Nazare. Twiggy tops the standings of the Big Wave Tour (BWT) with the Mavericks Challenge still to run to decide the world champ.

The final stop on the WSL Women’s Championship Tour (CT) saw all-time conditions and three time champion Moore (HAW) took full advantage to beat Malia Manuel (HAW) in the final with a perfect 10-point ride. Moore clinched her 20th CT victory today, her third at Honolua Bay, and rounds out the season third on the Jeep Leaderboard.

“It was a dream come true to get a 10,” continued Moore. “There was so much emotion at that point, I just started crying and I can’t thank the locals enough for letting us surf your beautiful wave. I’ll definitely take some time off to soak it in. Nothing beats winning in the ocean in perfect surf. The Surf Ranch was awesome, but this is pretty sweet. I’m just loving what I’m doing and so fired up. I’m excited for next year and stoked for Steph (Gilmore), it’s been a big event and a big year and everyone deserves some time off.”

MOORISH: Carissa Moore ended the year with a perfect 10 point ride. Photo WSL / Cestari

Manuel finished runner-up for the second consecutive year, after blitzing through her Quarterfinal match-up against an injured Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) and eliminating the newly crowned WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) in the Semifinals before facing Moore in the Final. Today’s result, Manuel’s best of the year, sees her move up to ninth place on the Jeep Leaderboard and secure her place on the CT for 2019.

Across the island, Maui’s own Kemper won the Jaws Challenge at Pe‘ahi for the third time in his career. Competition resumed with Round 1 Heat 2 after being called off on Monday in giant surf. Kemper and Kai Lenny (HAW) battled to and fro in the Final.

This marks a career-defining moment for Kemper as his third Big Wave Tour win on home turf. Kemper’s ability to hunt down some of the heaviest waves and attack the barrels on offer separated him from the rest of the competition today with a brilliant 23.84 (out of a possible 30) heat total.

BILLY THE BARREL: Billy Kemper has a Hawaiian habit of hunting barrels. Photo WSL / Hallman

Men’s Jaws Challenge at Pe’ahi
1 - Billy Kemper (HAW) 23.84
2 - Kai Lenny (HAW) 23.56
3 - Albee Layer (HAW) 17.40
4 - Tyler Larronde (HAW) 16.06
5 - Grant Baker (ZAF) 8.10
6 - Koa Rothman (HAW) 2.19

Beachwaver Maui Pro
1 - Carissa Moore (HAW) 18.67
2 - Malia Manuel (HAW) 14.67

Semi-finals
SF 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 13.50 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 13.36
SF 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.67 def. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 14.44