In one month, the 2025 Big Wave Challenge will name its heavy-water winners from around the globe. Like the past two iterations of the Big Wave Challenge, there are nine categories with three surfers nominated for each. There’s a $100,000 prize purse on the table, and the winners will be revealed at the award show on September 13 at the Lido Theater in Newport Beach.
This event window saw a particularly productive winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Many of the final entries came from a five-day run at Jaws (which produced more swell at Waimea Bay and Maverick’s). Six surfers are in the running for the coveted men’s and women’s Surfer of the Year: Jojo Roper, Kai Lenny and Lucas Chianca on the men’s side, and Michelle des Bouillons, Justine Dupont and Annie Reickert on the women’s side.
Some of those names you no doubt know. Kai, Lucas and Justine are three of the well-known figures in the big-wave game. While Jojo, who works in his father’s surfboard shop, and Annie, a world-class foiler who was the highest-placing woman at the Eddie (her first contest), are lesser known globally, they each have put together really good seasons.
The men’s Ride of the Year is also a fascinating matchup. Australians Kipp Caddy and Tom Myers both bagged enormous barrels by hand, while Santa Cruz construction worker and Florence rep Alo Slebir towed into an otherworldly Maverick’s wave that took the internet by storm.
It’s worth noting that the men’s and women’s Surfer of the Year awards are based on overall performance from numerous sessions, not just the waves displayed here. In addition to the marquee awards, the party in Newport Beach will feature several more honors for special moments that don’t fit the traditional categories (like the biggest wave ever skimboarded), the Young Gun Award (for a surfer under 18 years old who’s killing it), Videographer of the Year and the 5-Hour Energy Take Your Shot Photo of the Year.
Browse all the nominees below and make predictions as you please. We’ll keep you posted on the latest from all things Big Wave Challenge.
Men’s Surfer of the Year
- Jojo Roper San Diego, California
- Kai Lenny, Paia, Maui, Hawaii
- Lucas Chianca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Women’s Surfer of the Year
- Michelle des Bouillons, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Justine Dupont, Seignosse, France
- Annie Reickert, Pukalani, Maui, Hawaii
Men’s Ride of the Year
- Kipp Caddy, Jaws
- Tom Myers, Queenscliff Bombie
- Alo Slebir, Maverick’s
Women’s Ride of the Year
- Domi Charrier, Punta de Lobos
- Justine Dupont, Nazaré
- Michaela Fregonese, Jaws
Men’s Biggest Wave
- Ty Simpson-Kane, Jaws
- Alo Slebir, Maverick’s
- Shaun Walsh, Jaws
Women’s Biggest Wave
- Michelle Des Bouillons, Nazaré
- Justine Dupont, Nazaré
- Michaela Fregonese, Jaws
Men’s Paddle Wave
- Wilem Banks, Jaws
- Ty Simpson-Kane, Jaws
- Albee Layer, Jaws
Women’s Paddle Wave
- Katie McConnell, Punta de Lobos
- Domi Charrier, Punta de Lobos
- Justine Dupont, Jaws
Wipeout of the Year
- Ty Simpson-Kane, Jaws
- Mark Healey, Waimea Bay
- Jack Akrop, Jaws