FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Big Wave World Tour Crowns Champion

LM Founder Pablo Had the honor to meet Dick Brewer last night in Newport for the Big Wave World Tour crowning of Peter Mel.

May 2, 20012 – Oceanside, CA – Peter Mel was officially awarded the Big Wave World Tour Title in Newport Beach, CA on Sunday, April 29th 2012. The ceremony was held aboard the Eternity, a 140ft luxury yacht, and featured music by local band The Barnwell Shift. Approximately 150 people were in attendance including, 2x ASP Champ Tom Carroll, 10x Molokai to Oahu Paddle Champ Jamie Mitchell, Dana Rohrabacher, U.S. Representative for the California 46th Congressional District andGuest of honor, Dick Brewer, who was acknowledged for his lifetime achievement of big wave surfboard design.

Four generations of Peter’s family joined him in celebrating his first World Title. While Rep. Rohrabacher presented he and Gary Linden with a special commemorative coin, “Freedom Surf Team,” for Fighting for Freedom and Having Fun. Linden also asked the large crowd for a moment of silence while he honored the passing of longtime friend and swell confidant Sean Collins, founder of Surfline.

BWWT Runner-up, Ben Wilkinson said, “The evening was a gathering of the big wave tribe, positive vibes, great personalities, legends of all ages! It is truly an honor to represent Australia on the Big Wave World Tour! It is also a huge honor to place second behind Peter Mel, one of my heroes! He has set the benchmark in competitive big wave surfing and deserves to be World Champ! I am looking forward to this year’s competition and the up coming Quiksilver Punta de Lobos event in Chile. Yeeeeeewwwww !”

Outgoing BWWT Champion, Jamie Sterling said, “Thanks Gary. He built the platform for us, and here we are celebrating what we do at a competitive level, the Big Wave World Tour.”

The BWWT would like to thank all those who helped to support the event including: Quiksilver – Dick Brewer Surfboards – Solraiz Organics Maca -Surfline / BWWT Official Forecaster – Longboard Vineyard – Freeline Surfshop, Santa Cruz – Electra Cruises – Meridian Graphics – Linden Surfboards – The Barnwell Shift

PRESS Contact:
Video and Pictures available upon request
Pierre Camoin
Big Wave World Tour
+1 (858) 922 4050
pierre@bigwaveworldtour.com

Quotes of the evening:

“One of the major goals of the Big Wave World Tour (BWWT), since the beginning, has been to grow and bring awareness to our culture Worldwide. Knowing the history is an essential element. With this in mind we will be honoring Dick Brewer who for the last fifty years has played a major role in the design of boards that have been used to explore the unlimited possibilities of big wave surfing. His shapes have literally changed the concept of what was needed and he has shared this with the World. Still shaping boards for those lucky enough to get an appointment, Dick Brewer is a big wave shaping legend!”"Dick Brewer changed the way we make surfboards, the way we can go out and catch these waves”
“Dick Brewer has enable all of us to catch the biggest waves ever ridden”
” For those of us who have witnessed Peter Mel’s incredible surfing ability in big waves it came as no surprise that he now receives the accolades he deserves being crowned World Champion. A gentleman in and out of the water I am very proud to have him representing the sport we all love so much. ”
Gary Linden, Tour Director, Big Wave World Tour

“I shaped 500 boards last year, 40 of them were in balsa wood, so I’m a pretty active shaper”
Dick Brewer, 76 years old Surfing legend and BWWT Award Party Guest of Honor

“How you folks survive this is just beyond me!”
“I’m on the science committee screening that oversees the NASA’s budget these [big wave surfers] are the astronauts, the heroes”
“In contribution for many years for making a better world, and representing the values of your country and doing so you are joining the Freedom Surf Team” [as presenting the "Freedom Surf Team" Medal to Gary Linden & Peter Mel]
“Fighting for Freedom and Having Fun”
Dana Rohrabacher, U.S. Representative for the California 46th Congressional District.

“Gary Linden you put your heart and soul into this thing [BWWT], and we all appreciate that, we really, really do!”
“I’m honored, and speechless.”
Peter Mel, Big Wave World Tour Champion 2011/2012

“Thanks Gary. He built the platform for us, and here we are celebrating what we do at a competitive level, the Big Wave World Tour.”
“If this Tour was around for a long time, I’m sure this wouldn’t be Pete’s first title”
“The Tour is coming along very well”
Jamie Sterling, 2010/2011 Big Wave World Tour Champion

“The evening was a gathering of the big wave tribe, positive vibes, great personalities, legends of all ages! It is truly an honor to represent Australia on the Big Wave World Tour! It is also a huge honor to place second behind Peter Mel, one of my heroes! He has set the benchmark in competitive big wave surfing and deserves to be world champ! I am looking forward to this years competition and the up coming Quiksilver Punta de Lobos event in Chile. Yeeeeeewwwww !”
Ben Wilkinson, #2 BWWT surfer

“I believe the Big Wave World Tour is a special form of competition, it is really invigorating for the surfing world at large and the surf industry, to really dream for what big wave surfing has to give at large”
“All the champions really represent what the Tour is about”
Joao De Macedo, #4 BWWT surfer

“It’s written all over his face…seeing Pete in such a happy frame of mind tonight is a blessing for us all…a most deserved accolade for the many years of an obvious and pure love for the big stuff…talent, skill and preparation came head-on into opportunity!!
Tom Carroll, 2x ASP World Champion 1983, 1984

“Firstly I would like to congratulate Gary and his team for persevering with the big wave world championship vision.
I would also like to congratulate Pete on his world championship, and all the athletes for making if possible.
I have always admired your big wave riding, even before I organized the Reef@Todos 14 years ago.
But what I love the most is the brotherhood that connects all of you guys, regardless of your place of birth. It does keep alive the spirit of Aloha of our sport, lost to some wave riders.”
Fernando Aguerre, President International Surfing Association

“Peter Mel’s Big Wave World Title Ceremony was a very positive personal experience. It was great to share the experience with Pete, his family & friends, and surfing peers. It seemed almost everybody there knew everyone and appreciated what was going on. I also had a sense of great things for the future for the sport of big wave riding. I’m looking forward in working with everyone to continue to help the sport grow in a positive direction.”
Brian Overfelt, Board of Directors, Mavericks Invitational.

” The BWWT 2011/2012 event for crowing Peter Mel as the world champion was an amazing event that showcased the passion of this special community of individuals, this group of big wave surfers are not only super men, but super humanitarians for their sport, their community and the environment. ”
Shaney Jo Darden. Founder Global CEO, www.Keep-a-Breast.org-www.nontoxicrevolution.org(by EMail)

“I was blessed with the opportunity to spend an evening with the world’s best big wave surfers and surf legends Gary Linden and Dick Brewer this past Sunday.” “As I watched them crown Peter Mel with this year’s title, it was very evident to see the respect and admiration shared by this unique surfing family.” I look forward to see what this upcoming year brings in way of giant swell’s and growth and new life into the BWWT.”
Trip Taylor- Co-Founder – The UPRISING Film and Television

“I must say… that was an impressive and touching evening. Once again Pete – a well deserved night after the years you have put in and things you have accomplished, nothing but CLASS. This is directly how tonight was portrayed and sets a fantastic example for the future of the sport and all parties involved. I believe that everyone a part of tonight’s festivities feels the same way.”
Jay Johnson, CEO Action Sports Productions (by Email)

“Big Wave World Tour… a tour that chases the biggest and baddest ass waves to kiss the planet”
GhettoRaton swaylocks.com

“One of the greatest nights in big wave surfing history!!!
Congratulations to Pete Mel 2012 BWWT Champion!”
Ken “Skindog” Collins, Big Wave Legend & Competitor (on Facebook)

“It is about time that Peter Mel officially claims the title of Big Wave World Champion! This is such a long overdue crowning; as Peter’s surfing and accomplishments in the big wave arena have been that of a world champion for well over twenty years. Peter has inspired his peers and fans of big wave surfing with his courage, endurance, consistency, and controlled style. It is great to see official acknowledgment of such an amazing ambassador of our sport.
Always stoked to surf with Pete as long as it is not in a heat!”
Zach Wormhoudt, Big Wave Surfer

It has been an honor and privilege getting to know and surf along-side Peter these past years. He has been a hero and inspiration to me since I was grom and continues to be so to this day. The big wave surfing community owes him a debt of gratitude for his lifelong contribution to the sport. There is nobody in the world more deserving of a World Title than Peter.”
Greg Long, Big Wave Surfer

“The crowning party of Peter Mel was the pinnacle of the BWWT third season. It was a great feeling to see all our guests enjoying the evening and to feel so much support from the surfers and the industry. Big thanks to all the Big Wave World Tour team! We are a tight family, a great group of friends; able to produce a huge amount of quality work moved by our passion and desires to grow the sport. Hard work pays off, thanks!”
“It’s an honor to receive a beautiful Agave mini-gun shaped by Gary Linden as the “Award for Service to the Sport”, I was definitely speechless! Since the Reef@Todos 98, I devoted a lot of my time to Gary Linden’s vision for a Big Wave World Tour, it was an amazing feeling to receive this award, particularly in front of such a crowd and so many of my favorite surfers!”
Pierre Camoin, Big Wave World Tour Manager

“Congrats to the Condor. @peter_mel 2011-2012 BWWT World Champion!!!!! Well played, well deserved.”
Jason Murray, Big Wave Photographer

“Everyone had a blast at the party and I LOVE all the photos. It was hit and will surely generate continued support for the BWWT.”
Tara Mel