The WSL just recently announced the list of hard-charging names that have been nominated for the 2021 Red Bull Big Wave Awards. On the line is $350,000 in prize money which will be awarded across four categories for men’s and women’s divisions: Ride of the Year, Biggest Paddle, Biggest Tow, and Performer of the Year. Winning photographers and videographers will also take home prize money.
Continue reading for more info from the WSL about the nominees and the forthcoming Awards Show:
“This year’s nominees spanned the globe with surfers representing countries like Brazil, Germany, Ireland, South Africa, the United States, and France. The majority of the nominated rides come from the infamous big wave breaks of Nazaré in Portugal and Pe’ahi (a.k.a. “Jaws”) in Hawaii, USA, but this year’s shortlist also sees rides from Mavericks in Half Moon Bay, California, USA, Todos Santos in Mexico, and Mullaghmore Head in Ireland.
The winners will be announced during the 2021 Red Bull Big Wave Awards Show on October 29, 2021. The show will be streamed at WorldSurfLeague.com/redbullbigwaveawards and audiences will discover who will be taking home the prestigious awards from some of the wildest rides this year.
The Ride of the Year is awarded to the male and female surfers who demonstrate the most advanced and committed level of big wave surfing during a successful ride, as judged by available video footage. While raw size is taken into consideration, it is ultimately the level of performance that is rewarded.
Female Nominees
Paige Alms at Todos Santos, Mexico on January 11, 2021.
Michelle des Bouillons at Nazaré, Portugal on February 22, 2021.
Justine Dupont at Nazaré, Portugal on January 16, 2021.
Maya Gabeira at Nazaré, Portugal on February 5, 2021.
Izzi Gomez at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
Keala Kennelly at Himalayas, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
Male Nominees
Conor Maguire at Mullaghmore Head, Ireland on October 28, 2020.
Grant Baker at Mavericks, California on December 11, 2020.
Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
Peter Mel at Mavericks, California on January 8, 2021.
Billy Kemper at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
Eli Olson at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
Vinicius dos Santos at Nazaré, Portugal on February 22, 2021.
Kalani Chapman at Outer Reef Log Cabins, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
Wilem Banks at Mavericks, California on December 8, 2020.
The Biggest Paddle Award goes to the male and female surfers who paddle into, and successfully ride, the biggest wave of the year.
Female Nominees
Bianca Valenti at Mavericks, California on January 12, 2021.
Justine Dupont at Jaws, Hawaii on January 17, 2021.
Keala Kennelly at Himalayas, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
Justine Dupont at Mavericks, California on December 8, 2020.
Paige Alms at Todos Santos, Mexico on January 11, 2021.
Raquel Heckert at Jaws, Hawaii on January 17, 2021.
Male Nominees
Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
Kai Lenny at Mavericks, California on December 8, 2020.
Peter Mel at Mavericks, California on December 8, 2020.
Peter Mel at Mavericks, California on January 8, 2021.
Grant Baker at Mavericks, California on December 11, 2020.
Billy Kemper at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
Nathan Florence at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
Vinicius dos Santos at Nazaré, Portugal on February 22, 2021.
Ian Walsh at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020.
Wilem Banks at Mavericks, California on January 10, 2021.
This year’s nominees include big names like 2018 Big Wave World Champion Keala Kennelly (HAW) and world-renowned Big Wave charger Justine Dupont (FRA).
Men’s nominees include three-time Big Wave World Surfing Champion Grant ‘Twiggy’ Baker from South Africa and four-time Pe’ahi Challenge Champion Billy Kemper leading the charge with rides at Mavericks and Jaws, respectively.
The Biggest Tow Award goes to the male and female surfers who, by any means available, catch and ride the biggest wave of the year.
Female Nominees
Maya Gabeira at Nazaré, Portugal on October 29, 2020.
Maya Gabeira at Nazaré, Portugal on February 5, 2021.
Justine Dupont at Mavericks, California on January 1, 2021.
Justine Dupont at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
Justine Dupont at Nazaré, Portugal on October 29, 2020.
Michelle des Bouillons at Nazaré, Portugal on February 22, 2021.
Male Nominees
Conor Maguire at Mullaghmore Head, Ireland on October 28, 2020.
Kalani Chapman at Outer Reef Log Cabins, Hawaii on January 1, 2021.
Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
Ian Walsh at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
Sebastian Steudtner at Nazaré, Portugal on October 29, 2020.
Sebastian Steudtner at Nazaré, Portugal on October 29, 2020.
Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca at Nazaré, Portugal on October 29, 2020.
Makua Rothman at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
Nathan Florence at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
Francisco Porcella at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021.
The Biggest Tow Award will be a battle between Justine Dupont (FRA), Maya Gabeira (BRA), and Michelle des Bouillons (FRA). Last year Dupont and Gabeira went head-to-head for a new World Record with the biggest wave ever ridden by a woman, with Gabeira edging out Dupont with a stellar ride at Nazaré. This year, Dupont’s nominations span three locations for the category, including Mavericks, Jaws, and Nazaré.
The men’s nominees include Conor Maguire’s (IRL) submission at Mullaghmore Head in Ireland, Kai Lenny (HAW), Sebastian Steudtner (GER), Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca (BRA), and Francisco Porcella (ITA) with rides Nazaré and Jaws.
The Performer of the Year Award acknowledges the top-performing male and female surfers over the course of the last 12 months based on every ride captured on video or still images.
Female Nominees
Justine Dupont
Keala Kennelly
Maya Gabeira
Paige Alms
Michelle des Bouillons
Raquel Heckert
Male Nominees
Kai Lenny
Peter Mel
Conor Maguire
Grant Baker
Sebastian Steudtner
Ian Walsh
Nathan Florence
Eli Olson
Billy Kemper
Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca
Makua Rothman
Vinicius dos Santos
The 2021 Red Bull Big Wave Awards winners will be announced on October 29, 2021, at WorldSurfLeague.com/redbullbigwaveawards. Tune in to the 2021 Red Bull Big Wave Awards Show, produced by Red Bull Media House, to witness reactions from the world’s best big wave surfers as the winners of the 2021 Red Bull Big Wave Awards are unveiled.
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