Mel, who grew up in Santa Cruz as a protege of the great David Schmidt and comes from one of Northern California's most distinguished surfing families took the well deserved win in 2013 against unfavored conditions, however his long rooted history establishing himself as a premier big wave pioneer of Mavericks since 1998 was the true celebration that year. Peter is one of the most respected surfers and figure heads of big wave surfing. He has given so much to the sport and continues his passion as commissioner of the ASP.