The New Pe’ahi Challenge: Jaws Contest Goes Digital

Originally posted on SURFER | By August Howell | Last updated Dec 5, 2024 5:31 PM ET

The Jaws Big Wave Challenge has not run a live event with heats, jerseys and horns since 2019. The pandemic complicated large-scale event planning, but a slew of permit and management issues has led to a head-scratcher. A month ago, WSL announced it would not hold a Jaws comp for the 2024-25 winter. A "major bummer" indeed. Is there a way to have an event at arguably the best big wave on the planet?

Now, a new season-long video-based contest has popped up in the void. The Pe’ahi Challenge, started by local fisherman and surfer Daniel Goldberg, follows the digital-first model employed by the SURFER Big Wave Challenge, the Mavericks Awards and the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. There are no permits, corporate money or live broadcasts. Just show up, surf, and hit send.

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Goldberg intends to give cash prizes to male and female winners for 10 awards (each division is competitive for five awards). It’s a relatively small prize purse, $6,000, but it all comes from local businesses and donors that care about high-level surfing going down on Maui’s north coast.

The window runs through March 1, 2025. Here’s how the entries work: A ride must get two photos and a video angle with a time and date stamp. All submissions must be sent by midnight (Hawaii time) on February 28, 2025. And each ride has to be complete, meaning a surfer has to ride away clean. No checks for wiping out.

Awards up for grabs are Best Ride, Best Tow, Breakthrough Performer, People’s Choice and Biggest Wave of the Season. The esteemed judge's panel includes Mark Healey, Keala Kennelley, Jamie Sterling, Shaun Lopez and Micah Nickens.

As for who’s in the mix? We’ll have to wait for the winter to unfold. Kai Lenny will certainly do something wild on a tow wave. You’d have to think Albee Layer’s early season form to contend. And Tyler Larronde’s first wave of the season could be a keeper. Stay tuned to the web and ‘gram for updates.