Storm activity in the Southeast Pacific ocean alerted Surfline experts to a massive swell headed for the coast of Peru, causing Big Wave Tour Commissioner Peter Mel to put the Billabong Pico Alto on Yellow Alert for Tuesday July 21, 2015.
"After watching a somewhat dormant South Pacific for the last few weeks, things have come alive again," said Big Wave Tour VP, Gary Linden. "A strong swell is heading for Pico Alto Peru and the timing could not be better for the event with the swell peaking mid-day on the low tide. These conditions should produce the best possible waves for a tremendous Final."
Surfline Forecast:
The primary swell of interest will be for early next week. Current model guidance has solid SSW/S swell building in quickly on Tuesday and peaking through the afternoon with 9-10' of deepwater swell at 16-18 seconds. That would produce breaking waves in the 20-30'+ range on the face, with the largest sets of the day potentially up to 35-40' faces.
If a Green Alert call is made the world's best big wave surfers will have 72 hours to collect their boards, wetsuits and courage before competition gets underway in Peru. Reigning Big Wave World Champion Makuakai Rothman (HAW) began his title campaign with a win at last year's event in Peru, the only event completed in the first half of the 2014 BWT window.
Though the indications of swell height are positive, Surfline does note that a high pressure system close to the storm could prevent it from tracking north, sending swell to Chile instead.
Should the event run it will be broadcast LIVE on the World Surf League homepage and WSL App. The following surfers have received invitations to compete alongside the BWT Top 10.
"After watching a somewhat dormant South Pacific for the last few weeks, things have come alive again," said Big Wave Tour VP, Gary Linden. "A strong swell is heading for Pico Alto Peru and the timing could not be better for the event with the swell peaking mid-day on the low tide. These conditions should produce the best possible waves for a tremendous Final."
Surfline Forecast:
The primary swell of interest will be for early next week. Current model guidance has solid SSW/S swell building in quickly on Tuesday and peaking through the afternoon with 9-10' of deepwater swell at 16-18 seconds. That would produce breaking waves in the 20-30'+ range on the face, with the largest sets of the day potentially up to 35-40' faces.
If a Green Alert call is made the world's best big wave surfers will have 72 hours to collect their boards, wetsuits and courage before competition gets underway in Peru. Reigning Big Wave World Champion Makuakai Rothman (HAW) began his title campaign with a win at last year's event in Peru, the only event completed in the first half of the 2014 BWT window.
Though the indications of swell height are positive, Surfline does note that a high pressure system close to the storm could prevent it from tracking north, sending swell to Chile instead.
Should the event run it will be broadcast LIVE on the World Surf League homepage and WSL App. The following surfers have received invitations to compete alongside the BWT Top 10.
(C) WSL