It’s a sight to behold a master at work. But it’s not just Peter Mel’s historic performances at Cortes Bank and Mavericks that have attended to his gravitas. It’s the consistency and longevity he’s demonstrated that is truly remarkable. He’s 30 years deep in the upper echelon of big-wave riding. And he’s still ready for more.
His entry into the 2024 SURFER Big Wave Challenge came on a day when you had to be ready for more. More swell, more energy and more power than any of the swells that season poured into Mavericks on December 28, 2023. Nasty and big. Nothing Peter Mel hasn’t seen before.
Now at age 54, Peter’s a bit more selective on when he hits the send button. On this wave he chose his line perfectly, thanks to his years of experience. Riding a slick 6’0" x 16 ½” x 2 ⅛” Channel Islands quad, Peter swooped under this Mavericks bomb, getting himself deep in the pocket and letting the bowl run in front. He even threw his hands up for some added showmanship.
“Swell today had some grunt,” he reflected on Insta . “Black diamond conditions.”
This wasn’t the only wave Peter got that day. Look at the whitewash he rode over below.
Adding to Peter’s longevity is that he’s taking on Mavericks with his son, John Mel, a stellar surfer in his own right. Both Peter and John just inked deals with Darc Sport, a bodybuilding brand that has recently branched into MMA and surfing. The brand’s other recent sponsorship deals include Bruce Irons, Koa Rothman and UFC star Max Holloway. With luck and a few gains, we hope to see Peter and Jon continue to kill it together for years to come.
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