While Josh Kerr managed to best the 24-man field at the Todos Santos Challenge, nabbing a cool US$18,750 and a slick TAG Heuer Aquaracer watch, there was no shortage of incredible performances on Sunday. But in surfing, like all challenging endeavors, the rewards of true commitment are often juxtaposed with those who tried and failed -- and there were a lot of fails at Todos. Behold, a little collection of the carnage.
The ocean ignited in the opening minutes of Round 1, catching more than a few off guard.
The Todos Santos Challenge ran for the first time since 2010 in epic El Niño swell. The break is located an hour and a half south of the United States-Mexico border and 11 miles off the coast. The ocean's raw power was matched only by the sheer bravery (or insanity, depending on how you look at it...) of the big-wave chargers who made some incredible drops, but also suffered some heavy wipeouts throughout the day.
Nic Vaughan charges into a bomb at Todos Santos, but suffers a heavy wipeout.
Nic Vaughan put on a solid performance throughout Round 1, Heat 1 of the Todos Santos Challenge. But in the dying minutes he was pushed into elimination position four after Mark Healey found one of the highest scores of the heat. Vaughan made a desperate attempt to get himself back into the top three and make it to the Semis, but Todos Santos had other plans.
Big wave surfer Diego Pertusso gets a taste of Todos Santos' wrath during Heat 1.
Despite making some noteworthy attempts, local invitees Diego Pertusso and Vicente Yazbeck, weren't able to overcome their elite-level competition. Wipeouts from both surfers in Round 1, however, demonstrated their serious commitment.
Local charger Vicente Yazbeck falls down a slippery slope during Round 1 of the Todos Santos Challenge.
But it was emerging star James Taylor whose commitment was nearly unparalleled during Round 1, Heat 4. The South African took beating after beating as he attempted to make it through to the Semifinals. "He saw fire, he saw rain," added commentator Chris Cote, quoting from the singer who shares the surfer's name. "Do not forget the name James Taylor in future Big Wave Tour events."
James Taylor falls from the lip and takes a second on the head during Round 1.
Big-wave veteran Carlos Burle, meanwhile, made it all the way to the event Final, but paid the price along the way. The Brazilian charger attempted to the opt out of a wave during the Semis, but the ocean swallowed him whole at the beginning of a three-wave set.
Carlos Burle opts out, but it's too little too late and he takes a massive fall during Semifinals.
Former Big Wave World Champion Greg Long -- who suffered a near-death drowning at the big-wave break several years ago -- held nothing back during the Todos Santos Challenge Final. He committed on one of the bigger waves, but ultimately got eaten alive by the wave.
Greg Long takes off on an enormous wave during the Final, but gets eaten by the white water.
A Collection of Todos Santos Carnage
Daniel Jenks
While Josh Kerr managed to best the 24-man field at the Todos Santos Challenge, nabbing a cool US$18,750 and a slick TAG Heuer Aquaracer watch, there was no shortage of incredible performances on Sunday. But in surfing, like all challenging endeavors, the rewards of true commitment are often juxtaposed with those who tried and failed -- and there were a lot of fails at Todos. Behold, a little collection of the carnage.
The Todos Santos Challenge ran for the first time since 2010 in epic El Niño swell. The break is located an hour and a half south of the United States-Mexico border and 11 miles off the coast. The ocean's raw power was matched only by the sheer bravery (or insanity, depending on how you look at it...) of the big-wave chargers who made some incredible drops, but also suffered some heavy wipeouts throughout the day.
Nic Vaughan put on a solid performance throughout Round 1, Heat 1 of the Todos Santos Challenge. But in the dying minutes he was pushed into elimination position four after Mark Healey found one of the highest scores of the heat. Vaughan made a desperate attempt to get himself back into the top three and make it to the Semis, but Todos Santos had other plans.
Despite making some noteworthy attempts, local invitees Diego Pertusso and Vicente Yazbeck, weren't able to overcome their elite-level competition. Wipeouts from both surfers in Round 1, however, demonstrated their serious commitment.
But it was emerging star James Taylor whose commitment was nearly unparalleled during Round 1, Heat 4. The South African took beating after beating as he attempted to make it through to the Semifinals. "He saw fire, he saw rain," added commentator Chris Cote, quoting from the singer who shares the surfer's name. "Do not forget the name James Taylor in future Big Wave Tour events."
Big-wave veteran Carlos Burle, meanwhile, made it all the way to the event Final, but paid the price along the way. The Brazilian charger attempted to the opt out of a wave during the Semis, but the ocean swallowed him whole at the beginning of a three-wave set.
Former Big Wave World Champion Greg Long -- who suffered a near-death drowning at the big-wave break several years ago -- held nothing back during the Todos Santos Challenge Final. He committed on one of the bigger waves, but ultimately got eaten alive by the wave.
Vicente Yazbeck
Local charger Vicente Yazbeck falls down a slippery slope during Round 1 of the Todos Santos Challenge.
Todos Santos Challenge
After winning the Todos Santos Challenge, the Tour veteran shares what he fears most (hint: it's not big waves).
The CT surfer topped the field of 24 to earn his first Big Wave Tour victory at Todos Santos in Mexico.
Big-wave legend Mark Healey gives you a bird's eye view of Todos Santos.
Greg Long takes off on an enormous wave during the Final, but gets eaten by the white water.
Joe Turpel and Mike Parsons break down the day's action leading to the exciting event Final.