WS – What kit did you use?
AM – I used a Neil Pryde Fly 4.8 and JP Radical Thruster Quad 69 as a quad. That is my normal equipment that I ride in typical conditions. I just changed the fin set up, 2cm bigger K4 flex fins in the back and two degree toed in K4 Ezzy side fins. For normal sized waves I use three degree fins for more vertical turns with less effort. The board was a bit light dropping down the face so late and was getting held up by the apparent wind. Once I actually got to the bottom though everything held in and felt really nice. Tweaking the fins for more drawn out turns made the board almost feel like it was especially designed for really big stuff. I didn’t have to worry about anything which is what you want as you are bottom turning.
WS – What safety preparations and equipment did you use?
AM – I had an inflatable vest from Patagonia and a NP impact vest on underneath so if the canisters malfunctioned I would still have some buoyancy. Marti and Sean were on the jet ski to pick me up if I needed it. They are used to massive waves so I trusted that they could get me out of trouble. The preparation was mostly mental, psyching myself up to do it and the only way I could feel confident in that was really working on breath holding.