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Peter Mel

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Peter Mel
Personal information
Born (1969-11-24) November 24, 1969 (age 54)
Santa Cruz, California, U.S.
ResidenceSanta Cruz, California
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight200 lb (91 kg)
Surfing career
Years active1975–present
SponsorsQuiksilver
Freeline
Major achievements-(1997)1st O'neill Cold Water Classic, (Santa Cruz, California)
-(2011)1st Billabong Pico Alto Copa Burn
-1st place, Crowned Big Wave World Tour Champion 2011/2012
-1st place, Mavericks Invitational 2012/2013 (Half Moon Bay, California)
Surfing specifications
StanceRegular (natural) foot
Shaper(s)Self (Peter Mel) Al Merrick (Channel Islands Surfboards), John Carper (JC Surfboards), Stretch Surfboards and Freeline Surfboards (John Mel)
Quiver5'10", 6'1", 6'4", 6'6" & 10"2
Favorite wavesMavericks (Half Moon Bay, California)
Waimea Bay (North Shore, Oahu)
Steamer Lane (Santa Cruz)
Cortés Bank (Deep ocean, 100 miles west of San Diego, California)
Websitewww.petermel.com

Peter Mel (born November 24, 1969 in Santa Cruz, California), is an American professional surfer. Mel began his surfing life in Capitola, California before moving on to Santa Cruz. He is known as a 'big wave' surfer and son of John Mel, a four time National Champion.[1]

Mel has appeared in movies such as Step into Liquid, Riding Giants, Chasing Mavericks and Peaking, Peter Mel. Mel has appeared opposite Gerard Butler in Chasing Mavericks. Mel is a broadcaster for the World Surf League,[2] continues to surf as an endorsed athlete and owns a family-owned surf shop in Santa Cruz.

Mel gained notoriety in the shadow of Steamer Lane locals Vince Collier, Kevin Reed and Richard Schmidt. Known as the “Condor” for his extreme wingspan (A nickname he was less than fond of), Mel was a expected to do well in competitions globally.

Mel finished eighth in the 1998 Surfer Magazine Reader’s Poll Awards [3] and established himself as California’s most reputable big-wave rider.

In 2018, Mel participated in an interview with a prominent surfing periodical with journalist Shelby Stanger to discuss personal issues he fought with and overcame.[4] In the interview Mel discusses how he prepares for big wave riding, family, and personal demons. Mel also appeared with Laird Hamilton to discuss balancing life as an athlete and family.[5]

Competition

Throughout the 1990s, Mel found moderate success on the World Surf League domestic and Qualifying Series,[6] before finally finding his niche during California’s El Nino winter of 1997-98. At the age of 29, Mel was really just coming into his own.[7]

The Big Wave World Tour concluded its third successful season crowning Mel as Big Wave World Tour Champion. The season started out strong at the extremely consistent big wave spot Punta de Lobos, Chile, home of the Quiksilver Ceremonial. The contest was held under sunny skies, perfect offshore winds and flawless 40+ft waves.

The second stop on the tour, Billabong Pico Alto Invitational, was held at the famed Peruvian Big Wave Spot, in clean and consistent 35–40 ft waves. Mel won the final. Immediately following his victory, fellow Quiksilver rider, Kelly Slater tweeted, ”It’s about time Pete.”

Contest wins

Year Place Contest
1997 1st O'Neill Cold Water Classic, Santa Cruz, California
2004 5th Quiksilver Eddie Aikau Invitational, Oahu, Hawaii
2009 3rd Billabong Pico Alto Invitacional, Punta Hermosa, Peru
2009 3rd Quiksilver Ceremonial Punta de Lobos, Pichilemu, Chile
2010 3rd Billabong Pico Alto Copa Burn, Punta Hermosa, Peru
2011 1st Billabong Pico Alto Copa Burn
2012[inconsistent] 1st Big Wave World Tour
2013[inconsistent] 1st Mavericks Invitational, Half Moon Bay, California

Retirement

Following the end of the 2013 season, Peter Mel entered retirement from the pro surfing circuit, and, subsequently, becoming the World Surf League's (WSL) first Big Wave World Tour (BWWT) commissioner for the WSL's inaugural 2014-5 season. Peter has retired as commissioner of the WSL BWT to run his surf shop and compete again on the Big Wave Tour.[8]

References

  1. ^ http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/freeline-designs-approaches-its-fifth-decade-with-a-tribute-at-upcoming-boardroom-show-john-mel-a-patriarch-of_141809/
  2. ^ http://www.worldsurfleague.com/athletes/118/peter-mel
  3. ^ Surfer Magazine November 1998
  4. ^ Stanger, Shelby. "Peter Mel Opens Up About Sobriety, Fear, Failure, and Finding Balance in Life". The Inertia. Retrieved 2018-12-14.
  5. ^ The Surfline Interview: Laird Hamilton with Peter Mel, retrieved 2018-12-14
  6. ^ http://www.worldsurfleague.com/athletes/118/peter-mel
  7. ^ "Peter Mel Employs All Aspects of Surfing to Win the RB5X". Surfing Magazine. 2003-06-23. Retrieved 2009-07-05.
  8. ^ Logie, Travis (15 November 2014). "Logie Talks Retirement with Mel". worldsurfleague.com. Retrieved 6 March 2015.