Encinitas surfer puts fears aside, wins big-wave contest off Ensenada

The waves were pumping — big, bombing and beautiful.

For the “Thriller at Killers” surf contest off the islands of Todos Santos Island near Ensenada, the forecast was a fun event for the world’s best big-wave riders.

But when the surfers showed up for the one-day event on Feb. 7, the waves were twice as big as expected — upward of 30 feet.

“It was just epic. Everyone was so psyched,” said Encinitas surfer Katie McConnell, who won the women’s division.

The event included 12 men and six women; among them were San Clemente’s Greg Long, a well-known fixture in the big-wave world, La Jolla standout Jojo Roper and Newport Beach’s Spencer Pirdy.

McConnell is no stranger to this surf break, a demanding wave that can be “big, gnarly and consequential,” she said. “For me, it takes a lot of courage to really position myself for one of the legit, big bombs.”

The San Dieguito Academy grad remembers being mesmerized by big-wave surfing when her dad watched reruns of the tour on television.

“I was passing by the living room and looked over his shoulder. I became transfixed,” she recalled. “It’s always been in the back of my mind. I never imagined I’d be surfing out there, let alone winning out there.”

Only a handful of surfers in the world tackle waves in the 30- to 40-foot range. It’s a tight-knit group that travels the world to spots known for their big drops — and big wipeouts.

During the event, French big-wave surfer Justine Dupont suffered a back injury that will keep her out of the water for several months.

McConnell has also had her “gnarliest and most humbling” experiences there.

“I’ve missed waves, narrowly missed injury,” she said. “I feel like I’m finally starting to make peace with that wave, and I can’t wait to catch more. To invite that fear to step aside and feel confident enough to send it is so freeing.”

McConnell said all the stars aligned in her final heat, an extra pulse of swell making for the biggest waves of the event.

As the clock ticked down, McConnell had to make a decision: try and score whatever she could on any wave that came through, or wait for the bomb.

“It was just so big and beautiful out there; in my mind, I put the competition aside and just focused on the wave and just surfing for the love of it,” she said. “It was either be patient and give it your all, or settle for less.”

Just as she decided to wait it out, a set showed up on the horizon.

“It was a technical drop, I got mowed down at the bottom, but it felt really good,” she said. “I didn’t know if I was going to win, but at the time, it didn’t matter. I was just psyched to get it.”

While she took the women’s win, repeating her 2024 victory, it was Grant “Twiggy” Baker who earned the men’s trophy. Roper made it to the semifinals.