WATCH: Salt Rock’s ‘Twiggy’ crowned Big Wave Tour world champion

Move over Kelly Slater – it’s time for Salt Rock surfer Grant ‘Twiggy’ Baker to take his place as one of the world’s very best surfers.

Twiggy earned the Big Wave Tour (BWT) world title in Nazare in Portugal yesterday, after winning it once before in 2013.

The BWT, organised by the World Surf League, ran three events in their 2016/17 tour.

Twiggy started his charge to the top in Mexico in June last year – winning the Puerto Escondido Challenge before the next round in November. At the Peahi Challenge in Hawaii he bagged third place and finally took seventh yesterday at the Nazaré Challenge in Portugal to seal his place as the winner of the BWT ahead of Brazil’s Pedro Calado and Greg Long from the USA.

In an interview with the World Surf League, Twiggy said being the BWT champion meant a lot to him.

“I got married two years ago and had a daughter last year, so my priorities to surf big waves have definitely changed to give them the best possible future. They drive me to catch bigger waves. This year, everything came together in the contests. I did what I had to do and it feels good.”

Not to shabby for someone who came into the BWT as an injury wildcard.

VIDEO: Salt Rock’s Grant ‘Twiggy’ Baker shredding some monster waves on his way to being crowned the 2016/17 BWT world champion.

Congratulations @GrantTwigBaker the 2016/17 Big Wave Tour World Champion #BigWaveTour pic.twitter.com/gTUalvVvkk

— World Surf League (@wsl) February 28, 2017

>>> Meet the top players in the North Coast property industry. See our Property People feature.

>>> Looking for a church? Check out our Churches on the North Coast feature. 

Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.

Please read our WhatsApp broadcast list disclaimer.
Join us on BBM at 59015786
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.