The Jaws Challenge, the only WSL event that will serve to define the world champion of big waves, will take place this Thursday in Maui with waves expected to reach 35 to 50 feet (10 to 15 meters), the WSL has just announced in a press release.

The only Spanish-speaking competitor competing in the event (top 10 last year) announced that he will not be able to compete because he is suffering from pneumonia: “It has been difficult to say no to the championship (…) An event for which I have been training my butt off all year as a goal,” he wrote on his Instagram.

“I will try to be in good shape for the La Galea event, which will most likely take place in a giant sea during the swell this weekend or early next week. Good luck to everyone at Jaws, I will be watching you,” added González.

The unconfirmed list of competitors at the event is as follows:

Ladies
Paige Alms (HAW)
Justine Dupont (FRA)
Emily Erickson (HAW)
Raquel Heckert (BRA)
Keala Kennelly (HAW)
Andrea Moller (BRA)
Felicity Palmateer (AUS)
Bianca Valenti (USA)
Wildcard 1 To be defined
Wildcard 2 To be defined

Men
Grant Baker (RSA)
Alex Botelho (PRT)
Russell Bierke (AUS)
Lucas Chianca (BRA)
Trevor Carlson (HAW)
Nathan Florence (HAW)
*Natxo Gonzalez (EUK) (Will not be there due to illness)
Greg Long (USA)
Mark Healey (HAW)
Billy Kemper (HAW)
Kai Lenny (HAW)
Albee Layer (HAW)
Tyler Larronde (HAW)
Nic Lamb (USA)
Tom Lowe (GBR)
Torrey Meister (HAW)
Jamie Mitchell (AUS)
Jojo Roper (USA)
Koa Rothman (HAW)
Makuakai Rothman (HAW)
Nic von Rupp (PRT)
Ian Walsh (HAW)
Wildcard 1 To be defined
Wildcard 2 To be defined

As reported by Natxo, the Punta Galea event remains under yellow alert. Meanwhile, the Quemao Class returned to wait for waves, leaving the yellow alert.

 

 

See this post on Instagram

 

It has been hard to say NO to the @wsl challenge in Jaws this Thursday. An event for which I have left my skin training throughout the year as a goal, but pneumonia leaves me out of the event, and it hurts ... I will try to be well for the event in La Galea that during the swell on the weekend or early next week, it has a big potential to be done in a giant sea. Good luck to all the Jaws competitors I'll be seeing you behind the screen❤️ / It has been difficult to say no to the @wsl championship in Jaws this Thursday. An event for which I have left my skin training throughout the year as a goal, but pneumonia leaves me out of the event, and it hurts ... I will try to be well for the event in La Galea that during the swell on the weekend or early next week, it has a high probability of being done in a giant sea. Good luck to everyone at Jaws, I'll be seeing you behind the screen❤️ (this photo was from the last event, me on the channel celebrating the wave that won the ride of the year by @granttwigbaker, I will never forget it in my life. Eskerrik asko @adur for the 📷 and the second 📷 of the master @jonbakio 😘) #jaws #hawaii

A publication shared by Natxo Gonzalez (@natxogonzalez1) the 10 Dic 2019 has 3: 55 PST