For the first time, the Big Wave Risk Assessment Group (BWRAG) will bring its big-wave safety program to Oceanside, California, on June 15 and 16. The two-day course, which is open to all surfers interested in gaining experience in waves of consequence, will include both classroom and in-water training and will be led by big-wave legends Greg Long and Danilo Couto.
This session’s leader, Greg Long suiting up. Photo: Al Mackinnon Couto is the executive director of BWRAG and along with Marcio Freire and Yuri Soledade was the first to paddle into Jaws at a respectable size. He won the 2011 XXL Awards Ride of the Year with the first bomb paddle-in ride at Jaws. Long has won multiple XXL awards including Biggest Wave, Ride of the Year and Performance of the Year. He is the only surfer to win all three of the sport’s premier big-wave competitions, including “The Eddie” at Waimea Bay, and was crowned 2013 Big Wave World Tour Champion. Friday’s session will begin with a mindfulness/breathholding clinic led by yoga instructor and breathing coach Rafael Kroff, followed by a classroom lesson led by Couto and Long reviewing high-surf risk management, past case studies, and small-group simulations of worst-case scenarios.
Breath-hold training at the first BWRAG summit in Pichilemu, Chile, held in May 2018. Photo: Courtesy of BWRAG/Lukas Mekis Following the recent XXL Cloudbreak swell, classroom instruction will also include an in-depth analysis of Cloudbreak and will break down specific risk scenarios that transpired during the biggest swell to hit Fiji since 2012. Ryan Hargrave, who was part of the safety team during the Cloudbreak swell, as well as Couto, who surfed and assisted in arranging safety, will share their experiences responding to heavy wipeouts and injuries. Local surfers who also participated at Cloudbreak, like Jojo Roper, will share insights.
Water safety responded after Caio Vaz sustained a bad wipeout and ruptured his hamstring at the recent Cloudbreak swell. Photo: Courtesy of Fred Pompermayer “Looking back at this last big-wave session at Cloudbreak, from a safety perspective, it seems like most of the surfers are taking lifesaving seriously,” says Couto. “We had a gold-standard team running water safety in Ryan Hargrave, Kai Garcia and Abe Lerner. It’s very rewarding to see how much we have come together as a group, especially on the communication between travel groups.”
Couto at the recent Cloudbreak swell. Photo: Fred Pompermayer Saturday’s morning session will be led by local firefighter/paramedic Chad Cox and local big-wave surfer/paramedic Ricky Whitlock and will cover emergency medical interventions and CPR/AED training. In the afternoon, Couto, Long and other rescue specialists will lead in-water training, covering jet ski and surfboard pickups and open-ocean first responder tactics.
In-water training at the first BWRAG summit in Pichilemu, Chile, held in May 2018. Photo: Courtesy of BWRAG/Lukas Mekis In an effort to ensure the safety of the next generation of big-wave surfers, BWRAG is also partnering with the Gudauskas brothers nonprofit Positive Vibe Warriors to invite selected young surfers to the summit as a scholarship free of charge. “My brothers and I have been a part of BWRAG classes the last couple of years in Hawaii and they have taught us so much that we have actually put to real-life use helping to save friends and fellow big wave surfers,” says Tanner Gudauskas. “It’s such an honor to be able to work in conjunction with BWRAG and help the next generation of young kids who are looking to get involved with water safety in ocean conditions.” BWRAG was founded in 2011 in honor of the late Sion Milosky who died surfing Mavericks. After Milosky’s death, big-wave surfers Danilo Couto, Kohl Christensen and Mark Healey sought ways to better train and unite the big-wave surfing community to prevent future tragedies. Today, BWRAG is expanding this training around the globe, partnering with local organizations and safety experts. In March, BWRAG summits were held in County Clare, Ireland, with the Irish Rescue Tow Surf Club and in Nazare, Portugal. In May, Long led the first summit at Punta de Lobos in Chile. BWRAG also offers a “2-20 ft. Ocean Survival” class for surfers of all ability levels. BWRAG courses are a prerequisite for purchasing the Patagonia PSI Vest. A certificate of completion is given to each participant and can be presented to purchase the vest. Registration for the 2018 Southern California BWRAG Summit ($400) is open until June 15 and can be done through the BWRAG website. More Surf News From ASN: Analog and Authentic: Taking a Look at the Inspiration Behind Tatsuo Takei’s ‘Authentic Wave’ Catching Up With Mick Fanning After Retirement A Step-By-Step Guide To Repairing Your Wetsuit
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For the first time, the Big Wave Risk Assessment Group (BWRAG) will bring its big-wave safety program to Oceanside, California, on June 15 and 16. The two-day course, which is open to all surfers interested in gaining experience in waves of consequence, will include both classroom and in-water training and will be led by big-wave legends Greg Long and Danilo Couto.
Couto is the executive director of BWRAG and along with Marcio Freire and Yuri Soledade was the first to paddle into Jaws at a respectable size. He won the 2011 XXL Awards Ride of the Year with the first bomb paddle-in ride at Jaws.
Long has won multiple XXL awards including Biggest Wave, Ride of the Year and Performance of the Year. He is the only surfer to win all three of the sport’s premier big-wave competitions, including “The Eddie” at Waimea Bay, and was crowned 2013 Big Wave World Tour Champion.
Friday’s session will begin with a mindfulness/breathholding clinic led by yoga instructor and breathing coach Rafael Kroff, followed by a classroom lesson led by Couto and Long reviewing high-surf risk management, past case studies, and small-group simulations of worst-case scenarios.
Following the recent XXL Cloudbreak swell, classroom instruction will also include an in-depth analysis of Cloudbreak and will break down specific risk scenarios that transpired during the biggest swell to hit Fiji since 2012.
Ryan Hargrave, who was part of the safety team during the Cloudbreak swell, as well as Couto, who surfed and assisted in arranging safety, will share their experiences responding to heavy wipeouts and injuries. Local surfers who also participated at Cloudbreak, like Jojo Roper, will share insights.
“Looking back at this last big-wave session at Cloudbreak, from a safety perspective, it seems like most of the surfers are taking lifesaving seriously,” says Couto. “We had a gold-standard team running water safety in Ryan Hargrave, Kai Garcia and Abe Lerner. It’s very rewarding to see how much we have come together as a group, especially on the communication between travel groups.”
Saturday’s morning session will be led by local firefighter/paramedic Chad Cox and local big-wave surfer/paramedic Ricky Whitlock and will cover emergency medical interventions and CPR/AED training. In the afternoon, Couto, Long and other rescue specialists will lead in-water training, covering jet ski and surfboard pickups and open-ocean first responder tactics.
In an effort to ensure the safety of the next generation of big-wave surfers, BWRAG is also partnering with the Gudauskas brothers nonprofit Positive Vibe Warriors to invite selected young surfers to the summit as a scholarship free of charge.
“My brothers and I have been a part of BWRAG classes the last couple of years in Hawaii and they have taught us so much that we have actually put to real-life use helping to save friends and fellow big wave surfers,” says Tanner Gudauskas. “It’s such an honor to be able to work in conjunction with BWRAG and help the next generation of young kids who are looking to get involved with water safety in ocean conditions.”
BWRAG was founded in 2011 in honor of the late Sion Milosky who died surfing Mavericks. After Milosky’s death, big-wave surfers Danilo Couto, Kohl Christensen and Mark Healey sought ways to better train and unite the big-wave surfing community to prevent future tragedies.
Today, BWRAG is expanding this training around the globe, partnering with local organizations and safety experts. In March, BWRAG summits were held in County Clare, Ireland, with the Irish Rescue Tow Surf Club and in Nazare, Portugal. In May, Long led the first summit at Punta de Lobos in Chile.
BWRAG also offers a “2-20 ft. Ocean Survival” class for surfers of all ability levels.
BWRAG courses are a prerequisite for purchasing the Patagonia PSI Vest. A certificate of completion is given to each participant and can be presented to purchase the vest.
Registration for the 2018 Southern California BWRAG Summit ($400) is open until June 15 and can be done through the BWRAG website.
More Surf News From ASN:
Analog and Authentic: Taking a Look at the Inspiration Behind Tatsuo Takei’s ‘Authentic Wave’
Catching Up With Mick Fanning After Retirement
A Step-By-Step Guide To Repairing Your Wetsuit
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
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Skiing in Japan Is Back Again—and the Powder Was Worth the Wait
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Ocean Rower Fiann Paul Completes Most Grueling Expedition
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