Baker surfs to big wave victory
Local surfer wins his second Body Glove Mavericks Invitational title.
UMHLANGA’S Grant ‘Twiggy’ Baker won the Body Glove Mavericks Invitational in giant wave conditions that exceeded 13 metres (40 foot) at Pillar Point, Half Moon Bay in Santa Cruz, California over the weekend.
Baker previously took first place in the competition in 2006 and reclaimed the title today, with Hawaiian Shane Dorian coming in second in his first Mavericks contest and Ryan Augenstein of Santa Cruz coming in third.
“Obviously a magical day, the conditions were challenging, but this is a highlight of my career. Two of my favourite surfers in the world, Shane Dorian and Greg Long, were in the final, so to win Mavericks is the greatest feeling in the world,” he said.
The victory was Baker’s second at Mavericks after his triumph in 2006 and also his second in succession on the Big Wave World Tour (BWWT) following his win in the Arnette Punta Galea Challenge in Spain in December. He now holds a substantial lead in the 2013/14 rankings.
Mavericks official surf forecaster, Mark Sponsler said, “Today’s contest worked out perfectly, exactly what we expected, and we are really stoked how well the guys charged it.”
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