Here’s the new Big Wave World Tour schedule

Scheduling for the 2014/2015 ASP BWWT (acronyms!) has just dropped. Men with more grit/higher insanity levels than you will bounce down avalanche faces (25 feet or above) at three locations between April 15 and August 31 in the Southern Hemi, and three locations between October 15 and February 28 in the Northern Hemi.

Southern Hemisphere (April 15, 2014 through August 31, 2014):
– Punta de Lobos, Chile
– Pico Alto, Peru
– Dungeons, South Africa

Northern Hemisphere (October 15, 2014 to February 28, 2015):
– Todos Santos, Mexico
– Punta Galea, Basque Country Spain
– Pe’ahi (Jaws), Maui HI

While Dungeons in South Africa and Jaws on Maui are wildly welcome additions, noticeable in its absence from the list is the Mavericks Invitational, the event currently most front of mind since Twiggy Baker won it not three weeks ago.

Shane Dorian at Mavericks in a jersey. A phenomenon that won’t be ASP-sanctioned next year, unfortunately.

Stab spoke with very likeable ASP Media guru, Dave Prodan, about why the ASP won’t be inflating Half Moon Bay. “Mavericks organizers have opted not to participate in the BWWT at this time,” says Dave. “Which is a shame as the venue is iconic and would be a welcome addition to Jaws, Dungeons, Punta Galea, Pico Alto, Punta de Lobos and Todos Santos in deciding the world champion. That said, the six venues are an amazing array of world-class big wave locations with unique identities and handle serious swell – it’s will be an ideal proving ground in determining the world’s premiere big wave surfer.”

While Mav’s self-elected exclusion is a bummer, Jaws and Dungeons more than make up for it. Pete Mel, former BWWT champ and ASP Deputy Commissioner is especially excited (not least of all because he’ll be spearing said breaks in a jersey himself once the sirens sound): “This year’s ASP BWWT schedule is a great start to the new season,” says Pete. “The addition of Dungeons and Pe’ahi really cement the foundation of this Tour in determining the world’s most comprehensive big wave surfer. The variety of each of these breaks and the culture of the local communities makes this a very special thing to be a part of.”

The unity that the ASP’s acquisition of the BWWT offers ain’t unnoticed – Gary Linden did an excellent job in the years before the partnership (starting in 2009), but as surfing’s governing body, the ASP brings a legitimacy that the tour was lacking prior. “The big wave community is one built on respect and a collective admiration of the ocean,” says Gary. “When we started the BWWT, it was designed to celebrate the achievements of this community and our relationship with the ASP will allow us to do so on a significantly enhanced platform.”

As if you needed reminding, the biggest upshot of ASP’s BWWT acquisition is that it allows WCT surfers to compete in BWWT events.

Read: John John Florence at Jaws.