Twiggy wins big wave challenge
South African big wave surfer, Grant Baker clinched victory with a perfect 10 to defeat the big wave field.
DURBAN big wave surfer, Grant “Twiggy” Baker, claimed victory at the Puerto Escondido Challenge, defeating a field of 24 of the world’s best big wave surfers in towering 6m to 10m surf off the coast of Mainland Mexico’s Puerto Escondido.
The first event of the 2016/17 World Surf League (WSL) Big Wave Tour (BWT), the Puerto Escondido Challenge, tested the top big wave chargers with enormous and difficult beach-break conditions. A solid swell from the South Pacific delivered massive surf over two days for the inaugural BWT event at the exceptionally powerful beach-break known as “The Mexican Pipeline.”
Baker, 2013/14 BWT Champion, put on a stunning performance in Mexico, storming to victory in the semi-finals before his impressive showing in the final.
“Yesterday was pretty difficult out there so I didn’t have a great heat but I made it through. This morning when I woke up and saw it was my favourite size for Puerto and I was so happy,” said Baker.
The South African showcased technical and precise surfing throughout the final. Baker captured early control over the field and continued to solidify his lead with incredible rides. He locked in multiple excellent-range scores, but it was the perfect 10.00 awarded for escaping a massive tube that cemented his victory. Baker’s final combined score was an impressive 27.50 out of a possible 30.
“I’ve been coming here for 20 years and I love it. The waves are amazing and I want to thank all the locals for being so hospitable and making us feel so welcome. To my wife and baby at home, this one’s for you,” continued Baker.
Baker came into the event as an injury wildcard and his winning performance will kick off his 2016/17 BWT Title campaign with 12,500 points and first place on the BWT rankings.
Baker’s fellow finalists represented elite competitors of the big wave community, including Greg Long (USA), Pedro Calado (Brazil), Carlos Burle (Brazil), Will Skudin (USA) and Makuakai Rothman (Hawaii).
Two events, the Quiksilver Punta de Lobos Challenge in Chile and the Billabong Pico Alto Challenge in Peru remain in the Southern Hemisphere window with potential to run, conditions permitting, before the 31 August close of the window.
