Three huge waves and three completely different approaches to the 2025 Big Wave Challenge Women’s Paddle nominees. Rather than go into which one is the biggest (the winner will be announced at the Big Wave Challenge awards show on September 13 at the Lido Theater in Newport Beach), I’ll break down what I find distinct about each wave.
Justine Dupont got her entry at Jaws in December, right before she flew to Oahu to surf in the Eddie. The big-wave legend already has an ironclad surfing legacy, and that was before she became a mother last year. Her drop into the glassy peak was not only the most picturesque but also the steepest of the three finalists. A great example of toe-side commitment.
Related: Watch: Big-Wave Legend and Badass Mother Sticks Late Drop at Jaws
The entries from Domi Charrier and Katie McConnell came a few months later. The two women benefited from an active southern hemisphere low-pressure system that blasted Punta de Lobos. Katie had to navigate the left’s turbulence at high speed, going backside, which is way harder than it looks on video. Domi, a Punta de Lobos homegrown talent, had three entries into the women’s paddle category, but one easily stood out. It happened on May 23, and it was not picturesque or pretty in the conventional way. Note in the video above how the lip holds her up for a while, causing the nose of her board to rise even as she drops in. A far cry from your standard roll-in, but the 22-year-old somehow held on.
Related: Punta de Lobos Local Sticks 2 Major Drops at Her Home Break
Interestingly, Kaite is in a unique position to comment on who had the biggest wave as she was on hand for Domi and Justine’s rides. “Honestly, as someone who was present for all of these, it’s (Domi),” she said. Find out if the panel agrees on September 13.