From the Cliff: Jojo Roper’s Burly Mavericks Cover-Up

Originally posted on SURFER | By August Howell | Last updated Sep 10, 2024 4:55 PM ET

Between board buckling wipeouts, critical airdrops and spitting 30-foot tubes, a single day at Mavericks last year produced nine SURFER Big Wave Challenge entries. Bianca Valenti, Luca Padua, Alo Slebir, Michael Joshua, Will Skudin, Peter Mel and Jojo Roper all bagged their biggest waves of the year on December 28, 2023.

We’ve acknowledged Roper’s steadfast commitment to the Mavericks ledge last season here and here. This angle embedded above comes from Michael Darrigade, who captured Roper’s wave of the day from the cliff at Pillar Point. It’s a big, bumpy nasty black diamond monster that must have sounded like cannon fire when the lip detonated.

Roper did what few surfers have ever done at Mavericks. He deftly navigated the bowl and pulled high and tight into the pocket. The lip went over and the spit projected into the channel. A clear Ride of the Year entry, and a frame that will last as long as hard drives exist.

Not Roper’s not one to rest on his impact vest. After this Mavericks session and his tow partner Jamie Mitchell headed south to follow the swell to Todos Santos. Eyes on the prize, this guy.

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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