Peahi Goes XXL for New Year

THE one-and-a-half mile dirt track leading to the viewing point was almost impassable following the previous day's rain, but that didn't deter the spectators slipping and sliding their way down through the cane field. And for those lucky enough to negotiate that path on the final day of 2012? The reward was to watch a standout day at Peahi, the wave formally known as Jaws. The day was effectively a training day for the Red Bull Jaws paddle event which came close to being called on (as did the Eddie). "We have been monitoring this developing swell very closely but the real issue is the timing," said Contest Director Mike Parsons. "There will be some very large waves late Sunday/early Monday, but we do not have 90 percent confidence that either day will offer up the required seven hours of optimal 30-50 foot wave face heights that we are looking for to make this a great event. Invited to this alternative New Year's Eve party was a cast including Ian Walsh, DK Walsh, Albee Layer, Dave Wassell, Jeff Rowley, Kai Lenny and Alex Gray amongst a host of others willed themselves over the edge of a day which might not have been a record breaker but was pretty damn good. © 2013 Mike Neal

Albee Layer spearheads a group of young surfers who are blurring the traditional boundaries separating small and big wave surfing.

DK Walsh fresh from his pre-Christmas trip to the Cortez Bank where he played a key role in the rescue of Greg Long taking the plunge above Ben Wilkinson.

Kauai's Evan Valiere flays the rails from his 10 to 11 footer.

John John flew out with Jamie O'Brien and a few other guys from Oahu and they weren't disappointed.

Carlos Burle chasing a giant chandelier.

Mike Pietsch on the lesser surfed left.

Look at the power on display here for Connor Baxter's ride of day.

John John Florence on another bomb.

Ian Walsh on one of the largest set waves.

Kai Lenny is another member of the youthful contingent taking big positive strides. Before he left he had this to say: "I am getting some major butterflies i'll admit. This is a beast of a swell about to slam the north shore of Maui. Then the otherside of me can't wait!"

Tyler Larronde, son of French big wave rider Michel Larronde, is Maui born and bred thanks to his father's escape from Europe and already has several years of experience out here despite his relative lack of years.

Albee Layer surfing with a few of his closest friends.

Tyler Larronde again, dragging a positional hand.

At one point there were about 50 surfers swarming the peak which makes this lonely drop all the more unusual.

Jeff Rowley shares a wave with Nakota Decoit. "What a way to finish the year! Amazing!" said a stoked Rowley.

As well as balls the size of coconuts Jeff Rowley has the most efficent PR machine in surfing and following a big swell you can count on there being an edit in your inbox the following morning.

Paying the piper is par for the course at Peahi, as Tom Dosland, Maui resident, knows only too well.

Dean Morrison charging the critical bowl section.

If there are this many people on Maui capable of surfing 30ft Peahi then where do you sit in the hierarchy of surfing talent?

Peahi at dawn, a sight to warm the hardest of hearts.