Surf League (WSL) announced the winners of the 2021 Red Bull Big Wave Awards. $350,000 in prize money 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. Watch The Red Bull Big Wave Awards Show on WorldSurfLeague.com.
This year’s Red Bull Big Wave Awards received over 600 submissions with some of the heaviest and most amazing big waves captured during the 2020/2021 season. All submitted waves were evaluated by a comprehensive judging panel formed by WSL judges, former pro surfers, big wave specialists, and also by members of the WaveCo Science team.
“Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 Red Bull Big Wave Awards,” said Jessi Miley-Dyer, WSL SVP of Tours and Head of Competition. “My favorite update this year is that we’re awarding first through fifth places in both men’s and women’s categories. We evaluated all submissions based on the size of the waves, of course, but we also took into account how heavy the waves were, as athletes are definitely pushing the boundaries of what’s possible by riding those giant waves.”
Women’s Winners
1 – Justine Dupont at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021. Captured by Slater Berosky.
2 – Maya Gabeira at Nazaré, Portugal on February 5, 2021. Captured by Cesinha Feliciano.
3 – Keala Kennelly at Himalayas, Hawaii on December 2, 2020. Captured by Ken Kosada.
4 – Paige Alms at Todos Santos, Mexico on January 11, 2021. Captured by Mike Nulty.
5 – Michelle de Bouillons at Nazaré, Portugal on February 22, 2021. Captured by Cesinha Feliciano.
1 – Peter Mel at Mavericks, California on January 8, 2021. Captured by Curt Myers.
2 – Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020. Captured by Elliot Leboe.
3 – Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021. Captured by Marcus Rodrigues.
4 – Grant “Twiggy” Baker at Mavericks, California on December 11, 2020. Captured by Richard Hallman.
5 – Conor Maguire at Mullaghmore Head, Ireland on October 28, 2020. Captured by Clem McInerney.
Women’s Winners
1 – Paige Alms at Todos Santos, Mexico on January 11, 2021. Captured by Ryan Craig.
2 – Keala Kennelly at Himalayas, Hawaii on December 2, 2020. Captured by Ken Kosada.
3 – Justine Dupont at Mavericks, California on December 8, 2020. Captured by Pedro Bala.
4 – Bianca Valenti at Mavericks, California on January 12, 2021. Captured by Curt Myers.
5 – Justine Dupont at Jaws, Hawaii on January 17, 2021. Captured by Maui Cartel.
Men’s Winners
1 – Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020. Captured by Sebastian Tronolone Jr.
2 – Peter Mel at Mavericks, California on January 8, 2021. Captured by Pedro Bala.
3 – Billy Kemper at Jaws, Hawaii on December 2, 2020. Captured by Sebastian Tronolone Jr.
4 – Grant “Twiggy” Baker at Mavericks, California on December 11, 2020. Captured by Richard Hallman.
5 – Peter Mel at Mavericks, California on December 8, 2020. Captured by Marcus Chambers.
Women’s Winners
1 – Justine Dupont at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021. Captured by Sebastian Tronolone Jr.
2 – Maya Gabeira at Nazaré, Portugal on October 29, 2020. Captured by Jorge Leal.
3 – Justine Dupont at Nazaré, Portugal on October 29, 2020. Captured by Above Creators.
4 – Maya Gabeira at Nazaré, Portugal on February 5, 2021. Captured by Luis de Sá.
5 – Justine Dupont at Mavericks, California on January 1, 2021. Captured by Pedro Bala.
1 – Sebastian Steudtner at Nazaré, Portugal on October 29, 2020. Captured by Jorge Leal.
2 – Kai Lenny at Jaws, Hawaii on January 16, 2021. Captured by Marcus Rodrigues.
3 – Conor Maguire at Mullaghmore Head, Ireland on October 28, 2020. Captured by Clem McInerney.
4 – Sebastian Steudtner at Nazaré, Portugal on October 29, 2020. Captured by Jorge Leal.
5 – Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca at Nazaré, Portugal on October 29, 2020. Captured by Pedro Miranda.
Women’s Winners
1 – Justine Dupont
2 – Maya Gabeira
3 – Paige Alms
4 – Keala Kennelly
5 – Michelle de Bouillons
1 – Kai Lenny
2 – Peter Mel
3 – Grant “Twiggy” Baker
4 – Sebastian Steudtner
5 – Conor Maguire
