The Big Wave Tour's Northern Hemisphere season will close February 28. When it does, one man will become a champion among a crowded field of surfers with the skills to take on the world's heaviest waves. The frontrunner -- current BWT No. 1 Makuakai Rothman (HAW) -- stopped by the Dawn Patrol show during the 2014 Billabong Pipe Masters to discuss the results that landed him the lead and launched him into the competitive spotlight.
Rothman had a standout performance at the Billabong Pico Alto event, earning a 9.40 in the Final to secure a victory. He went on to finish second in Spain's Punta Galea Challenge, where massive swell also created the canvas for submissions to the Big Wave Awards.
More Makuakai:
Read the recent interview about being an underdog and a dad.
Peruse Rothman's IG pics and catch him in deep dad-mode.
Catch Rothman and more chargers on what "Eddie Would Go" means to them.