Caption: Current BWT Rankings leader Kai Lenny (HAW) will compete in Round 1 Heat 3 of the Men's Pe'ahi Challenge. 
Credit: © WSL / Heff

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PE’AHI, Maui, Hawaii/USA (Friday, October 27, 2017) - The World Surf League (WSL) Big Wave Tour (BWT) Pe'ahi Challenge has been called ON for a 12:05 p.m. HST start. The competition will see men’s Round 1 get underway with 1-hour long heats in waves ranging from 25 - 35 feet at the world famous break of Pe’ahi, located in Haiku, Maui, Hawaii. 

"We are seeing the ocean come alive," said Mike Parsons, WSL BWT Commissioner. "We’ve been on hold for most of the morning to wait for the swell to build, and we are now seeing solid sets come through. We will run men's Round 1 today starting at 12:05 p.m. HST. We will try to get through all four heats of Round 1 and will keep watching the conditions throughout the afternoon. Best of luck to all of our competitors today." 

Grant "Twiggy" Baker (ZAF) was not able to make the call time for his Round 1 heat and will be replaced by Jimel Corzo (MEX) in Round 1 Heat 1. 

Surfline, Official Forecasters for the 2017/2018 WSL BWT season are calling for:

Very long period swell has been building on the Northwest Hawaii buoy- around half day from Jaws- since Thursday night and is a good indication that our swell is on track. We expect things to be slow through most of the morning, but gradually building. We should see a more pronounced building trend around midday with the surf continuing to build through the afternoon and evening. Look for building face heights in the 25-35’ range over the afternoon, with max sets of 40-50’ faces late today. Light NNE/NE wind is expected this afternoon as the swell builds.
 
Surf size should hold into early Saturday morning, with a gradual trend down during the morning hours. A more pronounced fade is expected from midday on. Light ENE trades Saturday morning will build to light to moderate levels in the afternoon.

The Pe'ahi Challenge will be broadcast LIVE via WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL app and on Facebook LIVE via the WSL’s Facebook page. Also check local listings for coverage on CBS Sports Network in the U.S., Fox Sports in Australia, ESPN in Brazil, Sky NZ in New Zealand, SFR Sports in France and Portugal, Sport TV in Portugal and the EDGEsport Network.

Due to safety and environmental concerns, there is no location available for on-site spectating for the Pe’ahi Challenge. Big wave surfing fans are invited to watch the event on the live webcast that will feature close-in angles, slow-motion replays, and analysis.  For those on Maui, there are viewing parties being held at Charley’s Restaurant at 142 Hana Highway, Paia, HI 96779 (808-579-8085) and at Lulu’s Lahaina Surf Club Bar and Grill at 1221 Honoapiilani Hwy #A1 Lahaina, HI 96761. 

2017/18 BWT Men's Pe'ahi Challenge Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1:  Jimel Corzo (MEX), Billy Kemper (HAW), Cristian Merello (CHL), Francisco Porcella (ITA), Koa Rothman (HAW), Mark Healey (HAW)
Heat 2: Greg Long (USA), Will Skudin (USA), Makuakai Rothman (HAW), Tom Lowe (GBR), Aaron Gold (HAW), Shane Dorian (HAW)
Heat 3: Pedro Calado (BRA), Nic Lamb (USA), Kai Lenny (HAW), Trevor Carlson (HAW), Ryan Hipwood (AUS), Ian Walsh (HAW)
Heat 4: Jamie Mitchell (AUS), Joao De Macedo (PRT), Nathan Florence (HAW), Shaun Walsh (HAW), Albee Layer (HAW)

2017/18 BWT Women's Pe'ahi Challenge Final Match-Up:
Final: Paige Alms (HAW) Justine Dupont (FRA), Andrea Moeller (BRA), Keala Kennelly (HAW), Felicity Palmateer (AUS), Bianca Valenti (USA) 

The 2017/2018 WSL Big Wave Tour is proudly supported by Michelob Ultra, the Official Beer of the Big Wave Tour in North America, and Quiksilver Airlift, the Official Inflation Vest of the 2017/2018 Big Wave Tour. 

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com.