Pete Mel Just Relaunched His Big Wave Career

If humans love two things, it’s having authority and getting really, really barreled. Luckily for Kieren Perrow, Head Commissioner of the WSL, both are part of his job description. 

Traveling to work destinations like Fiji, Tahiti, and Hawaii on an annual basis, it’s Kieren’s job to decide when and where the Top-34 will compete. This, in Kieren’s tube-addled brain, equates to hands-on Quality Control at the world’s best waves. He takes this job very seriously, often waking before the sun to fulfill his R&D duties.

But the BWT Commissioner doesn’t share those same perks. He can’t just “paddle out for a couple” before the start of the event to “assess conditions”. He has to manage safety teams, communicate with local officials, and make a decision that could ultimately lead to a friend’s serious injury or death. On top of this, he’s forced to sit idly while younger, more energetic men slide atop his one true love — the big wave. 

It’s for all of these reasons, plus his obligation to uphold the family surf shop, that Peter Mel stepped down from his role as BWT Commissioner this March.

Why does Pete look like he wants to speak with someone’s manager? Because he was pent up with angst!

In an interview with Surfline, when asked whether resigning would allow him to rejoin the ranks as BWT competitor, Mel said:

“I could, I don’t know if I will. I’m not saying I wouldn’t ever. I have a new passion for riding big waves. I have a new quiver, and all of a sudden I’m driven to catch the biggest wave. A lot of that is my son John’s interest. He was asking me about wanting to surf out there [Maverick’s]. I went out there with him every fourth day, and then I picked up some more big waves. There are some days where that feeling of wanting to catch big waves is there; and some days, it isn’t.”

Hmmmmmm…

Then, just recently, the WSL dropped its invitee list to the Puerto Escondido Challenge. It includes the world’s best big wavers, a handful of Mexican chargers, and… who do you think? Which forty(?)-something WSL Commentator/surf shop manager will be donning a black singlet in Round 1, Heat 2? 

It’s Peter frickin Mel with a classic bait and switch!

After four years as the BWT’s resident cuckold, it’s hard to blame Mel, a true legend of big wave riding, for wanting to get back on the horse. But I do wonder, will Pete be surfing the entire BWT season, or is this just a one-off event? And, if he is surfing the entire season, was that part of his resignation agreement, or does the Maverick’s champion still hold enough clout to be considered one of the top twenty big wave surfers in the world?

Oh we could speculate ’til the end of time but look at the big fella go, just this morn!

Another (somewhat) surprising entrant to the Puerto event is Australia’s Jamie Mitchell. Jamie’s inclusion is only surprising in the sense that, just three weeks ago, the Australian suffered a broken sternum while freesurfing at Playa Zicatela. I don’t know much about the sternum’s rate of recuperation, but something tells me Jamie will be suffering from both physical and psychological pain throughout this event.

The comp is set to begin at 7 o’clock Monday morning, Corona Standard Time (CST).