Watch the best waves of the 2019 Jaws Big Wave Championships, held in 30-to-50-foot waves at Peahi, in Maui, Hawaii.
The winners of the 2019 Jaws Big Wave Championships are Billy Kemper and Paige Alms.
The Maui natives swept the event for a second time in their respective careers with Alms earning a historic third victory and Kemper an unprecedented fourth Jaws Challenge title.
The ocean came to life after a slow 20-minute start that Alms was able to scratch into and drop down the critical face before being swallowed by a mountain of white water.
The 2016 and 2017 Jaws Challenge champion sustained a hamstring injury in the process but grabbed a backup jersey and returned to the lineup.
“It’s the ultimate feeling being on a giant wave. It’s when I feel the most alive, and so it’s the double-edged sword,” expressed Alms.
“You’re putting your body and life on the line to ride these waves, but when you successfully ride one, nothing beats it.”
Fellow Maui native and one of the crowd favorites Annie Reickert made her incredible Big Wave debut at just age 18 and stunned those in attendance to earn a third-place finish.
Runner-up Felicity Palmateer threw herself over the ledge into death-defying drops to put on a showcase throughout her performances.
The men’s side also proved historic as Kemper claimed an unprecedented fourth victory, going back-to-back once more, at his home break of Peahi – winning the event in 2015, 2016, and 2018 previously.
The 29-year-old put on a clinic performance at the Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons and carried that momentum into a dominant performance with the event’s highest heat total, a 21.26 (out of a possible 30), in the final to defend his title.
Kemper locked into a massive barrel, which he was able to find an exit from to earn a 7.83.
“I did what I wanted to do, and this was just my day. I told myself when I went out there in this final, there’s no way I was coming home with second place,” concluded Kemper.
2019 Jaws Big Wave Championships | Finals
Men
1. Billy Kemper (HAW) 21.26
2. Ian Walsh (HAW) 20.03
3. Nathan Florence (HAW) 16.76
4. Kai Lenny (HAW) 16.59
5. Makuakai Rothman (HAW) 9.37
6. Lucas Chianca (BRA) 1.40
Women
1. Paige Alms (HAW) 12.34
2. Felicity Palmateer (AUS) 10.86
3. Annie Reichert (HAW) 9.13
4. Keala Kennelly (HAW) 8,17
5. Emily Erickson (HAW) 1.40
6. Michaela Fregonese (BRA) 0.00
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Out of your league I fear.
That cam uses–TV tubes-clustered. It can't just use, one. Antennas are unknown.
Florence uses, Fletcher board. And acted as, Buran and, Maddison – in a surf film. Caught flu waves. The ladies, caught much bigger.
That helo, is dangerously low altitude– in all that crossed wind. Virgo happens
Crazy balls and skill here
Go Billy!
Amazing
Thank you for the video, those were some amazing barrels.
kemper in the 2 story foam ball. nutty.
Be safer without the leggie and use a jet ski to retrieve the board. Bailing out of the lip go from a pin drop to splits and sideways.
Jaws huh?
Truly Gnarly, great footage, thank you! These surfers are in another class of wave riders.
cliff jones letting love slip away U-tube
Russell Bierke did real well to just get under the lip on that bomb.
Lol, girls sucks. Just a stupid drop and…nothing
I chose the waves that made the day how about you? 😎🤔🤙🙂🇺🇸
Conditions were so perfect! Huge tubes man! Good thing because these guys giant balls wouldn't fit in anything smaller 😉 Ladies also … awesome seeing them charge just as hard as anyone!
Balls of steel…
Billy is such a beast! I also love Nate and all the Florence bro’s! Charging jaws is nuts
Paddling into those waves takes real courage. Amazing footage
THE WIPEOUT,S DONT SEEM TO PRODUCE THE SKIPPING TRAJECTORIES YOU SEE AT MAVERICKS.
Wow! Gutsy stuff.
🙏
That's gotta look like a football field of water coming at you, I couldn't imagine.
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Looks fun.
Maybe test athletes specifically for meth and cocaine…and make em wear helmets
Face plant into the Face of a wave is rare thing 0:17
The Helicopter should have a sniper with a 50 calibe RIFLE, for SHARK STOP.
Im surprised they dont sink with the size of those balls hanging off them
I gotta go ta work!
Russ, best pit !
It’s terrifying watching them go under a second time after a massive wipeout. Insane shit.
0:44
Siiik footage 😍😍😍😍😍👌
👏💗😉
I was there and it was the most impressive human feet id ever seen.
Hats off to the ski dudes. Without you I see some drownings.
Awesome
Balls!!!!
Congrats Billy and all who competed out there. Much Respect!
It`s definitely best when they eat it at the top of the wave and free fall into oblivion. Worst wipe-out wins.