Josh Kerr wins the Todos Santos Challenge

Off the coast of Baja California, Mexico lies a wave called Todos Santos. Today 24 of the world’s top big wave surfers scrapped into 30-to-40 foot bombs and Mr Kerr reigned supreme. Kerrzy finished 11th on the tour last year and has been putting his big wave prowess to the test, which he can add to his list of endeavors. “I haven’t won anything in five years,” says Josh after the final. “I’d much rather win something like this then win doing airs in two foot beachies.” In the final Kerrzy racked up a 7.87 and a 8.20 taking the first place spot over a handful of notable dragon slayers. Greg Long took second and the lead in the BWT rankings. Carlos Burle, Damien Hobgood, Nic Lamb and Rusty Long trailed behind.

“I have so much respect for the guys on this tour and those that regularly commit themselves to surfing big waves,” Josh told the BWT. “I have had the biggest smile on my face all day just getting to surf big waves with them. I’ve felt great all day and had complete confidence in my board. I’m really thankful for the opportunity to surf here today. The goal was to have fun, I’m going through the Green Card immigration process right now and had a one-day leave pass to come down here and do this event. I didn’t have any expectations and just wanted to surf the wave with all these guys. To walk away with a win – I feel like one of those dogs with his head out the car window, I was smiling the whole time I was paddling around in the Final.”

Silence please…

Final Results:
1: Josh Kerr 24.27
2: Greg Long 18.84
3: Carlos Burle 18.33
4: Damien Hobgood 17.33
5: Nic Lamb 13.51
6: Rusty Long 0.20

Semis:
1: Josh Kerr 25.69, Rusty Long 25.33, Carlos Burle 22.21, Makuakai Rothman 21.80, Mark Healey 17.40, Nathan Fletcher 10.77
2: Greg Long 26.93, Damien Hobgood 25.77, Nic Lamb 24.17, Jamie Mitchell 22.74, Jamie Sterling 22.46, Dane Gudauskas 17.23

Round one:
Heat 1: Mark Healey 22.49, Makuakai Rothman 21.76, Nathan Fletcher 14.83, Nic Vaughan 14.10, Miguel Tudela 10.79, Diego Petrusso 3.71
Heat 2: Carlos Burle 23.09, Josh Kerr 22.83, Rusty Long 19.89, Will Skudin 17.73, Anthony Tashnick 12.89, Trevor Carlson 10.41
Heat 3: Jamie Mitchell 26.87, Jamie Sterling 23.36, Nic Lamb 23.17, Natxo Gonzalez 20.07, Derek Dunfee  19.69, Vincente Yazbeck 12.04
Heat 4: Greg Long 25.74, Dane Gudauskas 22.67, Damien Hobgood 21.94, Billy Kemper 20.33, James Taylor 16.04, Coco Nogales 14.97

2015/2016 WSL BWT Top 5 (after Todos Santos Challenge):
Greg Long 21,266 pts
Makuakai Rothman 16,994 pts
Billy Kemper 16,714 pts
Nic Lamb 16,594 pts
Josh Kerr 13,589 pts