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
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"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."
