COURTESY ASP
North Shore surfer Makua Rothman won the ASP Big Wave World Tour’s season opener on Thursday in Punta Hermosa, Peru.
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It’s been quite a week for Makua Rothman.
Two days after the birth of his daughter, the North Shore surfer dominated 30- to 40-foot waves in Thursday’s final round to claim the Billabong Pico Alto in Punta Hermosa, Peru.
Rothman ripped off a 9.4 score during the final, in which he posted a 27.33 total (out of 30) to beat runner-up Anthony Tashnick (22.00). On his way to victory in the ASP Big Wave World Tour’s season opener, Rothman said he drew inspiration from the newest member of his family.
"I wore her hospital bracelet the whole time and now I can’t take it off," Rothman said. "I don’t even know what to say, I’m happy."
Rothman was agressive in the six-man final, tackling a wave that initially looked unrideable to score his event-high 9.40.
"I didn’t even know what was going on during that wave," Rothman said. "I thought I was going over the falls, but I figured I’d just try and hang on. I’m just stoked to be here and stoked to win. This is my first event ever on the Big Wave World Tour and I can’t put into words what this means."
U.S. surfer Shawn Dollar finished third with a 20.26 score in the final, followed by Gabriel Villaran (16.80), Grant Baker (16.0) and Greg Long (7.0).