It was a rather lean winter for big wave riders around the world, according to IWT boss Simeon Glasson. Two big days in Pe'ahi in January provided the bulk of the candidates for the Big Wave Award, which the IWT (International Wave Tour) presented on Maui at the weekend. Marcilio Browne took the award with a 50-foot wave, followed by Robby Swift with 47 feet. According to the IWT, Sarah Hauser set a new world record in the women's category with a 40-foot wave, also at the Big Days in January. Robby Swift has impressively described what the conditions were like on these days in this article for surf
Away from Maui, only Thomas Traversa was honoured for a ride in Spain's Basque Country; his video received the most feedback on social media with 1.5 million views. The other award winners rode their waves in Jaws: Kevin Pritchard became best master with a 44-foot wave and his son accepted the trophy on his behalf. Jason Polakow received two awards: For the most radical ride and for the most brutal wipeout - an honour he would probably have gladly done without.
Polakov's wash cycle in the video
At this point, you will find external content that complements the article. You can display and hide it with a click.
"The waves on 22 January were the fastest and most terrifying I've ever surfed in Jaws," wrote winner Marcilio Browne about his record-breaking ride on Instagram. "It was nice to be able to share this with some of my closest friends. It's a day I'll never forget!"
Sarah Hauser thanked the IWT, Fish Bowl Diaries and other photographers as well as the safety crews and their muckers on the water: "I am so grateful to be part of such a beautiful community of people who pursue their passion with great dedication!"
All nominated wave rides can be seen in the gallery above!
"It's a bit unusual to have such a meagre yield in the winter season," summarises Simeon Glasson, and hopes for next year: "There is speculation that there could be more big waves next winter because the Southern Oscillation Index (Pressure system in the Pacific that influences El Nino, among other things, editor's note.) gets more energy again."
Also interesting:
Tobias Frauen
Editor
Tobi is our digital man, he looks after the surf website and social media channels and gets on everyone's nerves every morning by asking for more pictures and videos. His surfing CV includes all the famous choppy water spots: As a teenager, he went from his home in Münsterland to the Ijsselmeer or the Brouwersdam, and during his civilian service on Sylt, after countless washes on the west side, the Königshafen became his preferred spot. After studying in Kiel and Heidkate, he was supposed to go to Hamburg “only for a short time”, but this short time has lasted for over ten years and has made him a “weekend warrior”. He goes on tour with his family and camper van as often as possible, often to the Baltic Sea, SPO or Denmark, but also likes to go to Finland, Sweden or Sardinia.
