Rothman’s Ride Is Worthy of Big Wave Title

It was a daunting wall of water measuring 66 feet, with an angry face as sheer as a cliff, the heaviest wave on perhaps the heaviest day ever at a break called Jaws off northern Maui.

Many of the world’s best big-wave surfers were on hand, yet it was Makua Rothman, 18, who stole the spotlight.

Rothman, of Sunset Beach, Hawaii, was towed onto the monster behind a jet-ski last Nov. 26 and enjoyed a ride that brought him to the Grove Theater in Anaheim Friday night for the Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards presented by Surfline. Rothman was presented a check for $66,000 -- $1,000 per foot -- and honored as the person determined to have ridden the biggest wave of the 2002-03 season.

Rothman’s wave edged out four surfers whose average age is twice his, a victory so narrow that it’s likely to cause a stir in a close-knit sport. “There were cases to be made for every ride,” contest director Bill Sharp said. “And all the judges knew that whatever their determination, the outcome would be discussed for years to come.”

Photos and details of other winners are available at www.billabongxxl.com.