The Big Makua
Big Wave World Champion Makua Rothman has released a powerful and emotive song titled ‘Catch A Wave’. The new track sees the surfer turned artist join forces with AWOLNATION’s Aaron Bruno to pay tribute to a surfing buddy that was lost at sea. We caught up with Makua, while he was in the country to perform at the Sessions Surf Festival and hosted a media event at Sydney’s URBN SURF to chat about ‘Catch A Wave’, collabs and what’s coming next for the charismatic creative.
Congratulations on the release of your first single ‘Catch A Wave’. What inspired the creation of the track, was there a specific moment or feeling that led to you writing the song?
Our single Catch A Wave was really inspired by the loss or the death of a fellow surfer. My buddy Aaron Bruno of Awolnation who graciously blessed me to be a part of the track, wrote it for a surfing buddy who was lost at sea before he got there. It really resonated with each other on tour, and wanted me to be a part of this collaboration. He brought us the song. We worked a beat, wrote a little bit more. And now you have to Catch A Wave. For all of those that came before us.
Anybody out there that has lost a loved one. Please use this song, bring their memories and continue their memories on in the future.
“It’s not about us. It’s about what can we do for others and how can we uplift them and keep their memories alive.”
How has the song been received by your loyal legion of surfing fans?
My song Catch A Wave has really been, really been an awesome journey. The fans, the families, everybody that was, involved in the project. I really wanted to do it for someone else outside of ourselves, outside of our group, to keep the memories of our fellow surfers and those that helped create the surf culture before us.
I really wanted to keep their memory alive, and that's why I did the song the way we did it. It's not about us. It's about what can we do for others and how can we uplift them and keep their memories alive.
“what I’ve been through is very powerful and can help others.”
You have been releasing music since 2020, when you shared ‘Real Love’. What inspired the change of direction from Big Wave World Champion to music artist? What was the catalyst to pivot?
Well, this journey around the sun really started 2023 when I hurt myself and I got injured. I was really making a lot of bad life choices, which led me to probably the darkest spot I've ever been in. The music was a journey and a platform for me to heal myself, tell my story, knowing that what I've been through is very powerful and can help others.
And that's really my mission is to connect with those that may be struggling, share my stories, and hopefully leave a mindset and a way of life behind to be your best self.
Is ‘Catch A Wave’ a one-off release or is there a full album coming that fans can look forward to?
Yes, there is a full album coming. Fans can look forward to energy, nonstop feeling and just some punk rock. It's just me full of energy. Rock n roll surf. Just don't give a fuck. Just be you and do it your way straight up.
“there’ll be some collaborations in the future, for sure. I got a lot of good irons in the fire. ”
Will there be other famous collaborations on the full-length body of work?
We're working on a collaboration right now. I can't say much about it. If it happens or when it happens, it's going to be a big one. But there'll be some collaborations in the future, for sure. I got a lot of good irons in the fire. I, I really believe that the artists, you know, those bigger artists that they've made and paved their way are really making sure that I'm in it all the way in, and I'm not just bullshitting my way through this. They want to know that I'm in, and I'm doing it for real, and I'm living the life and then the opportunities are going to come.
You worked with multi-platinum producer Jimmy Messer on the ‘Catch A Wave’, how important is it to have the right people or team behind you, especially when you are relatively new to the industry?
Such is life. You don't have the right people around you or behind you. You're going to be in a world of hurt if you don’t surround yourself with like minded people. Surround yourself with go getters.
People that are ambitious, not afraid to fail, not afraid to take chances and risks, and those that really have the vibration that's positive, that want to uplift each other. Not dog eat dog but people that are willing to put you up on a pedestal before themselves. It's very important in life to have the right team.
“It’s good to see people that are not afraid to give their all. ”
You are heading downunder to play at the Sessions Surf Festival on the Gold Coast on the 23rd of May, are you excited to be a part of this amazing lineup? Who’s set are you excited to catch?
I'm really looking forward to watching all the artists. I enjoy all music. I love people getting up there and doing their thing, man. It's good to see people that are not afraid to give their all. To be surrounded by artists that, are working their way on whatever journey they are on. It's just so awesome to be around those people who are out there doing what they love to do, and doing it all the way.
Are there any similarities between the music world and the surf world or are they completely different beasts?
The similarities between the music world and the surf world. Oh, I mean, there's so many of them. Let's focus on the positive ones. Ha ha ha ha ha. It's just, it's all relative. If you don't live the life and you're not all in. Ain't nothing going to happen. That's similar to life as such. And, it's awesome because I get to travel around.
I've traveled with my whole surfing career, living out of a suitcase my whole life, and I'm doing it again. And, it's just a grind, man. The grind is real. To make your way in anything from the bottom. It's very similar in the work ethic and the consistency and the dedication. You gotta have to, WANT IT, because it really does get lonely and gets disheartening. It gets discouraging. But when you love what you do, it don't matter. You do it anyway.
“I’m actually a nice person. I’m actually kind.”
What is one thing people don’t know about you and would be surprised to learn?
I'm actually a nice person. I'm actually kind. I love to have fun.
I’m not always an asshole.. Ha ha ha ha ha ha.
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
My wife Nalani deserves the shout out. She holds it down at home. Keeps me honest. She really takes control of the reins when I'm just out running amok. So, you know, all thanks and praise goes to her. Like I said, behind every great man, there's even greater woman. So thank you, babe. I love you
WATCH THE CATCH A WAVE VIDEO HERE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz_lpRahc8g
LISTEN TO CATCH A WAVE HERE https://music.apple.com/au/album/catch-a-wave/1862290855?i=1862291164
Interview by Michelle Symes & Karen Griffin
June 2026
