Dan Connell, Hermosa Beach resident, has won the 2012 South Boardriders Big Wave Challenge, the club announced last month.
The winning 25-foot wave was photographed by Randy Ruby and was selected from over 40 admissions by a 15-member panel of respected local surfers that made the decision on which was the biggest wave ridden in the South Bay.
Connell, along with Derek Levy and college student Angelo Luhrsen rode their waves at the Redondo Breakwater.
Two other finalists, surfboard builder Tyler Hatzikian and mushroom farmer Matt Parker were photographed at Hammerland.
As the winner of the challenge, Connell received $5,000 from Karmaky.com, and an additional $1,000 and new wetsuit from Body Glove.
The local surfer also received custom big-wave gun from Dennis Jarvis of Spyder Surfboards. The winning photo was taken by Randy Ruby, who will receive $500 from the Easy Reader for taking the shot. (Read more here…)
The attached video shows footage from the legendary 2009 winter swell at Redondo Breakwater. To see the winning photograph of the 25-foot wave, click here.
