Peter Mel
Country: USA (Santa Cruz, CA)
BWWT Ranking: 1
Nick Name: The California Condor
Date of birth: 11/24/1969
Height: 6’2”
Stance: Regular
Sponsors: Quiksilver Waterman Collection, Freeline Surfshop, Sanuk
Best Big Wave: Mavericks
Favorite Big Wave Board: 9′ 6″ quad
Worst Wipe-Out: two-wave hold down at Mavericks
Hobbies: travelling, commentating, acting
Facebook: Peter Mel
To see the “Condor”, Peter Mel, soaring across the face of a 40 foot wave is to witness poetry in motion. Following the lead of fellow Santa Cruz big wave carver, Richard Schimdt, Pete’s approach to riding Mavericks is all about performing on the biggest waves that come through. While others are content to make the drop, his gouging bottom turns, drawn out lines, and sweeping cutbacks are legendary. For nearly a decade, Mel and his Santa Cruz posse pushed the limits of both paddle and tow surfing at Mavericks. The only thing missing for him to solidify his mark on big wave surfing forever, was a major contest win. However, the big long walls encountered at this year’s Billabong Pico Alto Copa Burn 2011 provided the perfect canvas for Pete to paint his first big wave victory and become the BWWT points leader. Will this be the year that Peter Mel, one of the best big wave surfers ever, becomes World Champion? Even his peers are rooting for him. Keep your eyes on the man with the giant wingspan, for the Condor will not disappoint!
Records and Contests:
Big Wave World Tour Champion 2011/2012
Billabong Pico Alto Copa Burn (Punta Hermosa, Peru) 2011 – 1st place
Quiksilver Ceremonial Punta de Lobos (Pichilemu, Chile) 2011 – 11th place
Big Wave World Tour 2010/2011 – 6th place
Nelscott Reef Classic (Oregon, USA) 2010 – 6th place
Quiksilver Ceremonial Punta de Lobos (Pichilemu, Chile) 2010 – 3rd place
Big Wave World Tour 2009/2010 – 5th place
Quiksilver Ceremonial Punta de Lobos (Pichilemu, Chile) 2009 – 3rd place
Billabong Pico Alto Invitacional (Punta Hermosa, Peru) 2009 – 3rd place