VIDEO: Maui’s Alms is 1st WSL Women’s Big Wave World Champion
The always humble Paige Alms won the first ever WSL Big Wave Women’s event on Friday. She officially holds the title of “World Champion” but says “I’m not ready to claim that.” Maui Now’s Malika Dudley interviewed Alms at the award ceremony just hours after her historic win.
Haʻikū resident Paige Alms became the first ever Women’s Big Wave Tour Champion after winning the first women’s final of the Peʻahi Challenge.
“I still feel like that was a dream, I can’t quite believe it,” said Alms on Surfinglife.com. “What a blessing to be out there with just a couple of girls, that was very special. The support feels so good and it’s so cool to have all my friends here and do this at home. This has been a dream to have an event for the women here.”
Twelve of the world’s best female big wave surfers made history today by competing in Friday’s maiden women’s event and the first WSL Big Wave Tour event. The conditions were epic and the women’s 60-minute final saw Alms defeat Justine Dupont (FRA) and Felicity Palmateer (AUS).
Finalists Keala Kennelly (HAW), Emily Erickson (HAW) and Laura Enever (AUS) were unable to compete after sustaining injuries in Round 1.
To see photos of all the action click HERE.
To view Billy Kemper’s interview, click HERE.
Pe’ahi Challenge Women’s Final Results
- 1. Paige Alms (HAW) 21.66
2. Justine Dupont (FRA) 10.77
3. Felicity Palmateer (AUS) 1.63
Pe’ahi Challenge Women’s Round 1 Results (top three finishers advance to Final):
Heat 1: Keala Kennelly (HAW) 13.66, Justine Dupont (FRA) 7.59, Emily Erickson (HAW) 2.34, Polly Ralda (GTM) 2.00, Andrea Moller (BRA) 1.40, Silvia Nabuco (BRA) 0.00.
Heat 2: Paige Alms (HAW) 12.34, Felicity Palmateer (AUS) 11.00, Laura Enever (AUS) 2.67, Bianca Valenti (USA) 2.29, Jamilah Star (USA) 1.46, Tammy-Lee Smith (ZAF) 1.06.
Peʻahi Challenge Men’s Final Results
- 1. Billy Kemper (HAW) 29.07
2. Greg Long (USA) 26.69
3. Grant Baker (ZAF) 22.47
4. Nic Lamb (USA) 18.89
5. Pedro Calado (BRA) 18.04
6. Will Skudin (USA) 14.41
Pe’ahi Challenge Men’s Semifinal Results (top three finishers advance to Final):
SF 1: Greg Long (USA) 16.66, Billy Kemper (HAW) 13.97, Grant Baker (ZAF) 13.51, Cristian Merello (CHL) 13.26, Kai Lenny (HAW) 10.36, Josh Kerr (AUS) 8.97.
SF 2: Nic Lamb (USA) 16.41, Pedro Calado (BRA) 12.67, Will Skudin (USA) 10.53, Aaron Gold (HAW) 10.14, Yuri Soledade (HAW) 6.73, Shaun Walsh (HAW) 1.74.
Pe’ahi Challenge Men’s Round 1 Results (top three finisher advance to Semifinals):
Heat 1: Greg Long (USA) 11.66, Josh Kerr (AUS) 11.56, Cristian Merello (CHL) 11.33, Tyler Larronde (HAW) 9.33, Jamie Mitchell (AUS) 6.00, Gabriel Villaran (PER) 1.00.
Heat 2: Billy Kemper (HAW) 18.20, Grant Baker (ZAF) 16.67, Kai Lenny (HAW) 11.60, Ian Walsh (HAW) 9.36, Carlos Burle (BRA) 8.03, Dege O’Connell (HAW) 7.07.
Heat 3: Aaron Gold (HAW) 18.97, Yuri Soledade (HAW) 18.29, Will Skudin (USA) 15.77, Mark Healey (HAW) 12.56, Makuakai Rothman (HAW) 11.53, Albee Layer (HAW) 9.14.
Heat 4: Nic Lamb (USA) 16.96, Shaun Walsh (HAW) 16.83, Pedro Calado (BRA) 14.66, Damien Hobgood (USA) 13.57, Shane Dorian (HAW) 12.27, Francisco Porcella (HAW) 9.73.
WSL BWT Rankings Top Five (following Pe’ahi Challenge):
- 1. Grant Baker (ZAF) – 21,180 points
2. Greg Long (USA) – 20,832 points
3. Pedro Calado (BRA) – 14,709 points
4. Billy Kemper (HAW) – 13,589 points
5. Will Skudin (USA) – 11,053 points
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