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Cape Town - South African big wave surfer and two-time Big Wave world champion, Grant ‘Twiggy’ Baker, is currently in California preparing for the final big wave event of the 2018/19 Big Wave Tour.
This final event will take place at Mavericks, a big wave location in Northern California, outside Pillar Point Harbour, just north of Half Moon Bay.
The waiting period for this tournament ends on March 31. Baker already has two victories under the belt at Mavericks, winning in 2006 as well as 2014.
Baker has had a flagship year so far, and is looking to cement it with a third world title.
“They say you only remember an athlete if they win three of something, so that’s in my goals for the next five years,” said Baker.
"I want to win another Mavericks event and another world title.”
With one big wave event win, the Nazaré Challenge that took place in Portugal in November 2018, Baker currently leads the Big Wave Tour rankings from Billy Kemper (Hawaii) and Kai Lenny (Hawaii) in second and third place, respectively.
Baker is also in contention for a few XXL Big Wave Awards with this ride at Jaws and a ridiculous tube ride at Seal Reef on the West Coast, with both waves up for the Ride of the Year category, that carries a $50 000 prize.
“My wave from the West Coast is probably the best barrel I’ve ever had,” reckoned Baker.
“Even though it's only 15-18 foot, it's as square as you can get and almost 10 seconds long and probably better than Ian Walsh’s wave at Jaws that won the year before, so I’m always hopeful.”
For more information on the Big Wave Tour, visit http://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2018/mbwt
