The Big Wave Awards recognize surfers who have ridden the biggest waves on the planet. Talented and reckless, they take big risks to surf these gigantic waves and maybe win this prestigious title awarded by the world surf league.
For this 19th edition, any wave surfed between 21 March 2018 and 20 March 2019 was eligible, supported by photographic or video evidence. So here are the winners of the 2018/2019 Big Wave Awards.
Frenchwoman Justine Dupont won two titles this year: the trophy for the biggest wave surfed by a woman and the trophy for the best female performance. Last year's victory had eluded him, but his attendance at the Nazaré spot until November 2018 allowed him to surf the biggest wave of the season.
Men's Paddle Award: Grant Baker
Surfing in Jaws ©WSL / KENNY MORRIS
Women's Paddle Award World Record: Andrea Moller
The Brazilian surfer sets the world record with this performance. The wave size has not yet been revealed.
Men's XXL Biggest Wave Award: Kai Lenny
The one who is no longer presented wins the trophy for the biggest wave of the year by a man, on the spot of Jaws.
Women's XXL Biggest Wave Award: Justine Dupont
Multihull Rum category: The Multihull Rum category includes all boats with two or three hulls of a length between 39 and 59 feet and not able to enter another class of the race.
Men's Overall Performance Award: Kai Lenny
Multihull Rum category: The Multihull Rum category includes all boats with two or three hulls of a length between 39 and 59 feet and not able to enter another class of the race.
WSL / FRED POMPERMAYER
Hydro Flask Women's Performance Award: Justine Dupont
©WSL / VITOR ESTRELINHA
Wipeout of the Year Award: Makua Rothman
This fall in Cloudbreak, Fiji, gave him first place in the ranking ©Makua Rothman at Cloudbreak, Fiji on May 22, 2018. Video by Taylor Curran.
Ride of the Year: Grant Baker