Jojo Roper has firmly established himself as one of the top big-wave surfers in the world, earning respect for his fearless performances at some of the most challenging surf spots. As the winter surf season gets underway, Roper remains active, balancing high-stakes missions both north and south of his San Diego base.
Reflecting on his time at Maverick’s last year, Roper described the opening day as “bigger than we expected,” a testament to the sheer scale and power of the waves. The 2023 Maverick’s session showcased his ability to tackle giant waves with unmatched poise and skill.
Roper’s journey also took him to Todos Santos, where he joined surf legends like Greg Long to chase perfect waves. The experience is captured in a new video, offering a glimpse into the high-energy camaraderie of the trip.
A recent invitee to the prestigious Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, Roper’s achievements were also recognized at the Big Wave Challenge awards, where he was honored with Paddle of the Year. It was during that event in Nazare where Roper’s off-duty moments were as entertaining as his surf sessions. At the afterparty, he was seen playfully avoiding a round of whiskey shots from fellow surfers Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca and Nathan Florence.
In a more relaxed setting, Roper spent an afternoon at the Palm Springs Surf Club, where he shared the pool with Maverick’s icon Peter Mel. The pair took to the “slab” wave pool, a particularly challenging feature known for its shallow, hollow waves. Despite the more tame environment, the two big-wave titans displayed their immense skill, surfing for hours and sharing laughs along the way. Mel, known for his radical style, impressed with ’90s-inspired tube rides, while Roper had a lighthearted moment nearly holding down a two-wave hold in the pool.
The Palm Springs Surf Club, far from the intimidating surf of 50-foot waves at Maverick’s or the raw power of Todos Santos, still proved to be an excellent venue for the duo to show just how good they are. Whether tackling massive waves in the ocean or cruising in a desert surf pool, Roper and Mel continue to push the boundaries of big-wave surfing with a sense of fun and camaraderie.
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