Makua Rothman

Often, they say big wave surfing is a grown man’s game. But there have always been some rarified groms (and gals) that have been like, “Nah” to that sentiment. Big Wave World Tour surfer and zillion-time paddleboard champ, Jamie Mitchell, pops off Surfline’s new "Late Drop Podcast" with his first guest, Makua Rothman, a former Big Wave World Tour champion who shocked the surf world in 2002 when he caught a 66-foot-wave at Jaws…at 18 years of age. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to grow up Da Hui, how to kick asthma, and what Makua thinks the Big Wave tour is in dire need of—buckle up and press play.

0:00: Intro, Beginning of Makua’s story of 66-foot-wave, Makua’s upbringing on the North Shore
6:23: Growing up in Da Hui, Da Hui’s influence on North Shore, Jamie and Makua growing up with asthma, Getting into big waves as a child
18:31: Getting into tow-in surfing, beginnings of big-wave safety/jet skis with Darrick Doerner.
25:26: Story of Makua’s 66-foot-wave at Jaws, Getting on to the Big Wave World Tour in 2014, Winning first event on Big Wave Tour, then winning in Chile, winning first big wave world title.
36:55: Winning 2007 Sunset World Cup of Surfing, Young kids currently pushing limits, Makua’s big wave training program, the big wave community pushing each other, safety equipment/inflation vests
50:58: Makua’s current approach to big wave surfing, Makua’s tow-in wave/near death experience at Cloudbreak.
1:00:58: Thoughts to improve current BWWT, incorporating engines into big wave surfing, big wave judging, The Eddie Aikau comp.
1:08:01: Makua’s opinion on best big wave in the world, heaviest big wave in world, wanting to surf Mav’s,most underrated big wave, next big wave discovery.

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