The 2016 Todos Santos Challenge has a green light. The Mexican competition gets underway on Sunday, January 17th.
The organization believes that the third event of the 2015/2016 Big Wave Tour will get underway with a projected 30-foot-plus swell and favorable winds.
Twenty-four athletes are now traveling to Baja California.
"Having run events in Chile and Maui so far, the Big Wave Tour has already produced exceptional moments. We're looking forward to more fireworks come Sunday in Mexico," says Peter Mel, Big Wave Commissioner at the World Surf League.
Billy Kemper, who is currently on top of the leaderboard, won the last event run in epic conditions at Jaws.
Makuakai Rothman is following closely in second place, and Albee Layer is not far behind. That is why the Mexican big wave stage will play a critical role in the world title race.
The town of Todos Santos is located in Baja California. The surf forecast for the region indicates a strong, long period west-northwest swell corresponding to waves in the 30-to-40-foot range.
2016 Todos Santos Challenge | List of 24 Competitors
Big Wave Tour Top Ten Seeds
Makuakai Rothman (HAW)
Gabriel Villaran (PER)
Nic Lamb (USA)
Anthony Tashnick (USA)
Greg Long (USA)
Nathan Fletcher (USA)
Grant Baker (ZAF)
Natxo Gonzales (EUK)
Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Carlos Burle (BRA)
BWT Invitees
Shane Dorian (HAW)
Mark Healey (HAW)
Josh Kerr (AUS)
Kelly Slater (USA)
Jamie Mitchell (AUS)
Event Invitees
Derek Dunfee (USA)
Rusty Long (USA)
Nic Vaughan (USA)
Coco Nogales (MEX)
Diego Pertusso (MEX)
Vincente Yazbeck (MEX)
Injury Wildcard
Alex Gray (USA)
Video Invitees
Trevor Sven Carlson (USA)
Mark Mathews (AUS)