Rusty Chilean team rider Cristian Merello won the Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational in Punta De Lobos, Chile yesterday. The event was held in huge 15 – 20ft waves at the famous big wave spot Punta De Lobos, Chile.
Cristian overcome a world class field including Mark Healy, Grant Baker, Peter Mel, Greg Long (who won last years “In Memory of Eddie Aikau” event at Waimea Bay, Hawaii), and Rusty's own Jamie Sterling to take the win.
Also, a big congratulations to Jamie for taking to the podium in this prestigious, invitation only event. To see more from the event check out here.
While in Chile I was given the opportunity to help the people whose lives were interrupted from the huge 8.8 earthquake and tsunami that hit in February. I joined Save the Waves foundation down in the city of Constitution. This town was severely damaged and was a mess. It looked way worse then what we were seeing on the news back in the states. Quiksilver and Cliff Bar sent clothes and energy bars down to Chile and we distributed them to school kids, the Red Cross, and the police. It was nice to see the people still smiling after what they all are going through. My heart goes out to the People of Chile.
We even scored some good waves down near the city of Constitution. Small but fun little waves.
It's my 7th time to Chile. I guess you could say I'm a fan of the cold water Indonesia, as I like to call it. Why do I call it that? Well, its waves are 80% lefts and yes it's cold and chilly. Chile is one the places where I can find every type of wave that there is to surf: slabs, point breaks, beach breaks, reefs, and "almost waves" (i.e. if we could only blow that one rock up it would be rideable). Not only does the variety of waves allure me, but the minimal crowds and consistency of the coastline is also a main draw. Oh yea being a goofy foot and surrounded by endless lefts with practically no one out makes this place a dream situation. Add to that the culture, the friends I have here, the food and Its all good!
I'm based in Pichilemu right now an am staying in my friend Diego Medina's guest cabana with my girlfriend Sheila. It sits on the beach in front of Punta de Lobos, one of Chile's premier big wave spots. It's a left hand point break and can hold waves as big as 7 meters= 25 ft+.
My main purpose here in Chile is to compete in the Quiksilver Ceremonial: Punta De Lobos big wave invitational. We are in the middle of the 2 month waiting period. Event organizers want to wait for a 5-7 meter = 15-25 ft swell. It will be my first time competing at this surf spot so I thought it was a good idea to come down here early and practice at Lobos. I've also been surfing some other amazing waves in the local area.
Diego Medina has been a great host. I've been able to tag along with him and get the inside scoop on where to surf as well as where to eat. I have 31 more days in Chile so I'm sure there will be some adventures to write about along with some cool point of view photos that my girlfriend and I'll be taking.
With one of the most rewarding winters, wave wise, in the last several years there has been plenty of demand for big wave boards. Whether it is creating a duplicate of a board that met its demise, shaping a first gun for a grom with a newly lit fire in his belly, or crafting a beautiful sled for a notorious XXL hell man, Rusty has been putting in the hours in the shaping bay to make sure everyone is properly equipped for their next strike mission...
Rusty shapes a board for big wave legend, Garret McNamara...
Jamie Sterling has been having a lot of fun and capturing some breath taking point of view images with his Go Pro Camera. Click here for more about the Go Pro Camera on Surfline.com
Check out the point of view perspective of Jamie towing into two mean waves in Hawaii; he takes a pretty good flogging on the second one...
Team rider, Johnny Maher, spends about four months a year as a boatman on the tropical wave magnet of Tavarua Island, Fiji. He has been going there ever since he was 14 years old and has been getting barreled ever since... Here's Johnny on a recent trip to his second home.
Click here to see more of the slide show, by Carey, on SurfingMagazine.com.
For more from Johnny "Monster" Maher check out this video clip of him charging on the Traveler...
It is no secret that the West Coast has been pummeled with swell the last few days and many infamous waves that lie dormant waiting for strong Souths came to life. Rusty's very own Jamie O'Brien is no stranger to danger and did not hesitate to put himself in the line of fire. Featured below are a few timeless images, captured by Steindler, of JOB going for broke at the Wedge, SoCal's most punishing wave...
Photo: Sheila
