ADVERTISEMENT

Women’s Big Wave Event Coming to Waimea Bay

Ladies Only

The first ever all women’s Waimea Bay big-wave event is coming this October. The waiting period runs between October 1 – November 21 and will feature 22 competitors including Keala Kennelly, Paige Alms, Bianca Valenti, Felicity Palmateer and Savannah Shaughnessy.

After years of applying for permits, contest organisers for the Women’s Waimea Bay Championship (WWBC) have been granted one from the City and County of Honolulu to run a standalone women’s big-wave contest at Waimea Bay.

Waves must reach at least 15-foot Hawaiian for the contest to get the green light. But it might not be the swell that proves problematic to get the event off the ground.

Contest directors Betty Depolito and Wrenna Delgado told Grind TV they were seeking sponsors to help fund the event, racing the clock with the contest due to kick off in four weeks.  

The ladies will have the run of the Waimea lineup when the contest goes down.

“Usually you are given over a year’s notice,” said Delgado. “This year was different. The surf permits were awarded last minute. It’s a challenging situation, but Betty and I are honored to be creating a new event here at Waimea. We are looking for a sponsor who loves this idea as much as we do to come in and save the day.”

The event honours Kuhina Nui Ka’ahumanu, a Hawaiian queen born on Maui in the 18th century. A surfer herself, Queen Ka'ahumanu redefined the perceived roles of Hawaiian women, defying the era’s strict separation of men and women by sitting at the table beside the king. With all the chiefs and priests to bear witness, she was not struck down by the gods, no lightning came from the sky, and with this one public act sent forth a ripple of change. A metaphor behind the girls push to surf Waimea with the men and demonstrate the same strength and grace as Queen Ka'ahumanu.

Women’s big-wave surfing has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years. Last season, the WSL sent the girls out at Pe’ahi, which saw Aussies Laura Enever and Felicity Palmateer make history, debuting at Jaws and reaching the final. The event was won by Maui’s Paige Alms, becoming the first female Big-Wave World Champion.

However, WWBC contest director Wrenna Delgado believes the Waimea event needs to stand alone from the men’s events for women’s big-wave surfing to progress. “This needs to be designed by women, for women. We understand each other. We’re not trying to have carnage; every girl that’s going to go out there is going to get a wave, which is going to advance the sport.”

With Mavericks now added to the WSL Big-Wave World Tour it’ll be interesting to see if either a stand-alone event or heat alongside the men’s event will take place. Injecting the women into the big-wave arena might be the boost the WSL needs to garner more mainstream interest in the sport. As for Waimea, the bay will ultimately call the day and determine whether the ladies will paddle out for a historic first in big-wave women’s surfing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
SUBSCRIBE TO TRACKS
A bi-monthly eclectic tome of tangible surfing goodness that celebrates all things surfing, delivered to your door!
SUBSCRIBE NOW
HAPPENINGS
Your portal to cultural events happening in and around the surfing sphere.
Find Events
SUBSCRIBE TO TRACKS
A bi-monthly eclectic tome of tangible surfing goodness that celebrates all things surfing, delivered to your door!
SUBSCRIBE NOW
HAPPENINGS
Your portal to cultural events happening in and around the surfing sphere.
Find Events

LATEST

Last week the Gold Coast gem awoke and Lincoln Taylor found time in between his hectic schedule to score one of the waves of the day.

Owen Wright and Mark Occhilupo will be surfing in the Wipeout Dementia comp next month.

The lords of surf punk kicked off the Tracks Party Tour with a royal performance at The Prince of Merewether Hotel.

The head of the snake unleashes its venom once again.

ADVERTISEMENT

PREMIUM FEATURES

Bestowing the highest praise upon a surfer.

An edited extract from ‘The Immortals of Australian Surfing’ by Phil Jarratt.

How a land-locked mainlander chased ocean dreams to the North Shore lineups and beyond.

TRACKS PREMIUM

Get full access to every feature from our print issues, read classic Tracks issues from the 70s, 80s and 90’s, watch all of our classic films & more …

TRACKS PREMIUM

Get full access to every feature from our print issues, read classic Tracks issues from the 70s, 80s and 90’s, watch all of our classic films & more …

CLASSIC ISSUES

A threat to Angourie, the death of vibes, and a tongue in cheek guide on how to become a surf star.

PREMIUM FILM

YEAR: 2008
STARRING: JOEL PARKINSON, MICK FANNING AND DEAN MORRISON

This is the last time the original cooly kids were captured together and features some of their best surfing.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

PRINT STORE

Unmistakable and iconic, the Tracks covers from the 70s & 80s are now ready for your walls.

Tracks
Kandui Resort Interstitial