Billy Kemper makes his way through a barrel during the final of the Jaws Challenge on Tuesday at Peahi. WSL / Richard Hallman photo
Less than two months ago, Billy Kemper wasn’t sure he’d be able to compete this winter, the Maui big-wave surfer having suffered a major hip injury while surfing in Tahiti.
On Tuesday, Kemper charged Peahi’s monster waves and emerged victorious, beating out fellow Mauian Kai Lenny in a back-and-forth battle in the final to claim his third Jaws Challenge title.
“I put everything into this year and I was second guessing if I’d be able to surf again by the end of the year,” said Kemper, who also won the event in 2015 and 2016. “My team got me back here and this is for us. I didn’t do this on my own. My beautiful wife, my children, I love you guys so much.”
Kemper won the only heat of the men’s event Monday, before conditions were deemed too dangerous to proceed.
Kemper celebrates after winning his third title at Peahi — he also won in 2015 and 2016. WSL / Richard Hallman photo
He returned to Peahi on Tuesday, and while the swell had fallen to the 35-45-foot range — making this a silver event on the World Surf League’s Big Wave Tour — Kemper continued his strong showing.
The defending BWT world champion earned the third, and last, berth to the final with a score of 18.70 in his semifinal heat. Fellow Mauian Albee Layer won the heat with a 22.43, and South African Grant Baker (19.77) placed second.
Lenny (26.17) and Tyler Larronde (17.43) advanced from the second semifinal, as did Oahu’s Koa Rothman (21.31), meaning five Hawaii surfers — including four from Maui — made the six-man final.
In the championship heat, it was a Valley Isle sweep. Kemper posted a total of 23.84 to edge Lenny (23.56), who had the highest single-wave score of the round (8.33) but didn’t have enough on his second wave (6.90) to overtake Kemper.
“Yesterday was probably the most radical day of surfing competition and I’m glad I got to kick that day off and got to end this event,” Kemper said. “This is for my mom and if you’re looking down on me right now mom, this one’s for you.”
Kai Lenny of Maui compete during the Jaws Challenge final Tuesday. WSL / Kenneth Morris photo
Layer (17.40) placed third and Larronde finished fourth at 16.06 despite getting only one scoring wave. Baker (8.10) placed fifth and Rothman (2.19) sixth.
Maui’s Ian Walsh, the defending Peahi champion, was eliminated in the semifinals after finishing sixth in his heat.
With the win, Kemper vaulted into second place in the season standings with 13,345 points. Baker, who won the Nazare Challenge earlier this month, leads with 16,305 points, and Lenny is tied with Lucas Chianca for third with 12,543 points.
The last event of the season is the Mavericks Challenge, the holding period for which started Nov. 1 and ends March 31.
WSL BWT Jaws Challenge
Tyler Larronde of Maui compete during the Jaws Challenge final Tuesday. WSL / Kenneth Morris photo
Tuesday’s Results • At Peahi
First Round
Heat 2–Nathan Florence 17.27, Albee Layer 17.23, Lucas Chianca 14.83, Natxo Gonzalez 11.53, Shane Dorian 9.76, Jojo Roper 0.00.
Heat 3–Koa Rothman 14.19, Kai Lenny 14.07, Aaron Gold 10.97, Trevor Carlson 8.84, Will Skudin 7.66, Tom Lowe 6.56.
Heat 4–Tyler Larronde 14.29, Greg Long 13.34, Ian Walsh 12.54, Jamie Mitchell 9.80, Francisco Porcella 8.86, Joao De Macedo 5.86.
Semifinals
Heat 1–Layer 22.43, Grant Baker 19.77, Billy Kemper 18.70, Chianca 16.31, Florence 9.64, Russell Bierke 8.39.
Heat 2–Lenny 26.17, Rothman 21.31, Larronde 17.43, Long 15.66, Gold 8.61, Walsh 5.07.
Final
Heat 1–Kemper 23.84, Lenny 23.56, Layer 17.40, Larronde 16.06, Baker 8.10, Rothman 2.19.
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