Not long ago, we wrote about how Hawaii and the West Coast were missing from the 2026 Big Wave Challenge entirely, and how Bill Sharp said the awards would have been canceled if not for Mullaghmore and Teahupo’o. Luckily, the show went on and, on Saturday night, the winners were announced.
Natxo Gonzalez took Men’s Ride of the Year for his paddle-in monster at Mullaghmore. Tom Lowe, another Mullaghmore standout whose comeback from near-death was the story of the year, took Men’s Surfer of the Year. Izzi Gomez earned Women’s Ride of the Year at Teahupo’o. Rodrigo Koxa and Michelle Des Bouillons took the Biggest Wave categories, both at Nazaré, where every nominated wave in the division came from. Justine Dupont was named Women’s Surfer of the Year. Grant Baker took Men’s Paddle at Nazaré. Zoe Chait took Women’s Paddle at Todos Santos. Alberto Truncer took Wipeout of the Year. And Ian Pegoraro of Maui took Young Gun.
After accepting the award, Tom wrote on Instagram, “Surfer of the Year sounds proper surreal, and I’m just beyond grateful to be here. It’s kind of hard to take everything in.
Thank you most of all to my girls ❤️ but also deep thanks to my brothers @veteadavid and @sage_burke for saving my life.
This one’s for all the kids out there who’ve come from nothing, nowhere, skint, struggling at school, everyone saying you’ve got no chance. All us everyday pards with a dream.
Those that know me and understand heavy waves know there’s levels to the game, and how much I’ve tried to push the boundaries of paddle surfing in my own way.
If this award represents anything, I guess it means after years of pouring my heart and soul into the place, I’ve opened the portal at Mullaghmore. There’s no reason to tow those giant days anymore. I paddled the wave of my life during the biggest swell we’ve ever seen out there. It has shown me what I always believed was possible, and needs to set the standard going forward for surfing to progress.
It’s always been about connecting to the raw power of Mother Earth in wild seas, and when the ocean goes into another dimension, for me that’s the frontier we need to keep pushing. After everything I’ve been through, being here, alive, with my family and friends is more than enough. So this is just incredible.”
Natxo Gonzalez, who has had his own remarkable comeback from head injuries, snagged the Ride of the Year award for an unreal paddle bomb at Mullaghmore.
The full list of 2026 Big Wave Challenge winners:
Men’s Ride of the Year
Natxo Gonzalez at Mullaghmore Head, Ireland. Video by Clem McInerney.
Women’s Ride of the Year
Izzi Gomez at Teahupo’o, Tahiti. Video by Owen Milne.
Men’s Biggest Wave
Rodrigo Koxa at Nazaré, Portugal. Video by Mattias Hammar. Photos by Jayden Cheo, Stephan Mathers, and Ianco Rocha.
Women’s Biggest Wave
Michelle Des Bouillons at Nazaré, Portugal. Video by Rennan Chaves.
Men’s Paddle
Grant Baker at Nazaré, Portugal. Photos by Peter “Joli” Wilson.
Women’s Paddle
Zoe Chait at Todos Santos, Mexico. Video by Thriller at Killers. Photos by Frank Quirarte and Billy Watts.
Young Gun (Under 18 Performer)
Ian Pegoraro (Maui, Hawaii, USA)
Wipeout of the Year
Alberto Truncer at Nazaré, Portugal. Video by Helio Antonio.
Men’s Surfer of the Year
Tom Lowe (Cornwall, United Kingdom)
Women’s Surfer of the Year
Justine Dupont (Seignosse, France)
Original Post from this site