Giant Wipeouts at Pe'ahi and Maverick's with 18-Year-Old Tyler Balsillie

18-year-old Pismo beach lifeguard Tyler Balsillie was one of a dozen or so who chased last week's North Pacific opener from Maui to Maverick's -- his first time. (Though he had surfed both spots before.) As the swell was building at Pe'ahi, he endured one of the most dramatic wipeouts of the day: a freefall, over-the-falls, board-breaker. The following morning, on his first wave, a near repeat, minus the board breaking part. After pulling both CO2 cartridges on his vest, he got picked up by the ski and headed back for more. "I was like man, I flew five hours here, spent all my money, I gotta get The Wave," he said.
A while later, The Wave comes in. He scratches into it, fully committed. "I try to knife in, and the wind airdrops me 20 feet top to bottom," he said. "I'm not even surfing at this point -- I'm skydiving." Balsillie sticks the drop -- a gravity-defying feat in itself -- but is quickly gobbled up by a mountain of whitewater. Gets held under for two waves, pops up for 15 seconds and is steamrolled by another one before he's picked up by a ski and dropped off on the rocks, boardless. "I was bummed, that was gonna be my board for Mav's," he said. "But they found it floating in the channel, totally undamaged. So I loaded up and headed to the airport."
Fast forward to the next morning. It's hot and sunny and glassy and Balsillie (who first surfed Mav's at 16 years old) hops on a ski around 10am. "Compared to Pe'ahi, which had 20 mph offshore winds, Maverick's seemed like this super calm, slabby wave," he said. "And I got a little bit cocky, thinking, 'man this is gonna be easy.'"
Spoiler alert: it's not, as evidenced in the video above.
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[@toddbefield1100]

Young charger! Good recovery on the sideways offshore wind drop at 1:17...even though it closed out!

[@timr672]

this kid is rad. Another level

[@steveperreira5850]

He is very likable and fun to listen to and even more fun to watch

[@lifeofmtc]

Love the charge in him, got a little Jay vibe - KEEP CHARGING!

[@byronbass1370]

That drop at jaws was mental

[@nicscharing]

Fr that's insane he stuck it

[@SWP805]

Rare to see a kid that age from California really wanting sets when it's 20'. Good on him.

[@tzt1182]

Awesome to see him charging but he is a bit reckless though.

[@Sybh-y6m]

Respect, that you have such big Cahonies, not sure if you have gained the understanding to drop in at Peahi or Mavs with enough reverence for these waves and their ability to end lives.. But? Mad respect for your fearless attitude

[@Matt.E9480]

I wonder what the difference is between getting worked at these spots. Jaws seem like it would be really fast and turbulent. Mavs seem dark, cold and heavy 🌊

[@TRun805]

The Kid is sending it!

[@ajholmes3362]

Reminds me of a young Jay. Very similar energy. A humble charger.

[@hugosurfing9054]

Love you Surfline

[@5TA1KR]

As a proeuct manager I can confirm, this video was not sponsored by futures

[@clarkewi]

Good effort.

[@0warami_7oo]

Strange that he didn't notice the 2 fins missing, paddling out should have felt it, tail wobbling from side to side 50% more 😅

[@jitsmapper4438]

Insane footage. Athlete interviews will always be hilarious, though. Not known for their eloquence.

[@scottvanderlinden118]

Go mate👍

[@jeffg4686]

at that age, I was wondering if I had enough in me to go out on a 8 ft florida day.

[@SWP805]

Didn't know it got 3×oh in Florida that often

[@jeffg4686]

@@SWP805 - more like oh+3

[@SWP805]

@@jeffg4686 oh 8 ft faces got ya

[@jeffg4686]

@@SWP805 - well, depends on the way it was breaking, but 8 foot faces probably was my limit. 8 foot faces at hermosa was too much for this guy

[@starmania909]

Dude check your board... before goin on the bomb! fins are good and get some boards from the tried n true shapers ... in maui sos quatro timpone someone whos been shapin for jaws a long time.... or just buy one of albees old ones :)

[@nicscharing]

Super rad little charger, send hik everywhere hes got the sauce

[@TheAndoGroup]

This kid has some brass balls =100%

[@logantaueki9149]

What a charger

[@shlomovenezia101]

Fins help 🦈

[@Eride4Ever]

If you guys know maverick balsillie subscribe

[@jackthomasmaddock]

Sickk

[@MegaVince09]

Bro you crashed all 3 times🤢

[@molebrains]

Psycho in the best way