Manhattan Beach’s Purcell, Lamb claim top two spots in the inaugural Todos Santos Thriller at Killers Big Wave Contest
by Ed Solt Photos by Ryan Versfelt Manhattan Beach big wave surfers Cody Purcell and Nic Lamb took first and second place at the inaugural Todos Santos Island Thriller at Killers big wave contest on Sunday, February 18. Todos Santos is an island 12 miles off of Ensenada. The deep wave spot only breaks a few times a year. The Thriller at Killers contest was organized by Todos Santos’ godfather, and San Diego big wave legend and surfboard shaper Gary Linden. A decade ago, Linden partnered with Dive N’ Surf for a big wave contest at Todos Santos, but a lackluster winter that year didn’t produce large enough waves for a contest. Purcell, a 2018 Mira Costa High graduate, was a standout on the Mustang surf team, and in South Boardriders Club contests. In 2014 he won the SBBC boy’s division title. While airs and lip maneuvers seem to be what his generation gravitated to, Purcell stood out with his rail game and ability in the tube. He cut his teeth as a grom at the local heavy spots. Before he was legally able to order a drink, he was paddling into 30 foot sets at the treacherous big wave spot Mavericks, in northern California. Nic Lamb outrunning the lip on his way to second place at…
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