SAN DIEGO — San Diego has produced many world-renowned surfers, and now, Jojo Roper has joined their ranks. The 24-year-old was recently awarded the "Biggest Paddle in Wave of 2024" at the Surfer Magazine Big Wave Challenge awards in Portugal for his unforgettable ride at Maverick’s near Half Moon Bay, California, on March 11.
Roper’s achievement came after an incredible journey that saw him fly halfway around the world to catch the monumental wave. Just 36 hours before the historic ride, Roper was riding massive waves in Fiji. When he saw the swell forecasts for Mavericks, he wasted no time adjusting his travel plans.
"I changed my ticket to leave early, flew from Fiji to LA, got home to San Diego, and saw the buoys were huge. I made a U-turn and flew back to San Francisco," Roper recalled.
Jet-lagged but determined, he paddled out at Maverick’s the following morning. He quickly realized he had the opportunity of a lifetime. The wave that stood before him was towering and powerful.
"It stood up really tall; it was a bomb, meaning it was a giant wave. I looked straight at it and said, 'This is the one you want,’" said Roper.
The wave, which measured nearly 50 feet, proved to be a test of skill and nerve.
"I remember looking over the edge and thinking, ‘Oh man, this is pretty vert,’" Roper said. "I took off on my tippy toes, and when I made it to the bottom, I was relieved I didn’t have a bad wipeout. I made my bottom turn and realized I had made it. I kicked out into the channel, had a huge adrenaline spike, and was like, WOW!"
For Roper, catching a wave like Maverick’s isn’t just about technical ability—it's also about the inspiration he draws from his father, Joe Roper, an accomplished Pipeline surfer.
"My dad was an incredible Pipeline surfer. He’s my idol, my everything," Jojo shared. "You always want to impress somebody, and I always want to impress my dad."
The recognition at the Surfer Magazine awards is just one milestone in Roper’s career. In October, he received an invitation to the prestigious Eddie Aikau Invitational at Waimea Bay in Hawaii—the Super Bowl of big wave surfing. Roper was overwhelmed with emotion upon hearing the news.
“When I got the invite, I was shedding tears. It’s that important,” Roper said.
The Eddie Aikau Invitational is one of the most exclusive events in the surfing world, with only 10 editions held since its inception in 1985. As Roper continues to chase big waves, all eyes will be on him as he prepares for the potential opportunity to compete in Hawaii.
With Mavericks and the Eddie on his radar, Jojo Roper’s future in big wave surfing looks bright, and San Diego will be cheering him on every step of the way.