The unicorn of surf spots blew up last month, firing lefts directly underneath the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Probably one of the most unusual places to surf, with a killer backdrop and photog would loose a lens for. Click into the pits at Fort Point.
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.”
Ride of the Year
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.
Men’s Winners
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.
Biggest Paddle
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.
Biggest Tow
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.
Men’s Winners
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.
Performer of the Year
Women’s Winners
1 - Justine Dupont
2 - Maya Gabeira
3 - Paige Alms
4 - Keala Kennelly
5 - Michelle de Bouillons
Men’s Winners
1 - Kai Lenny
2 - Peter Mel
3 - Grant “Twiggy” Baker
4 - Sebastian Steudtner
5 - Conor Maguire
A perfect day of surfing in the southwest of France. We always say here in Hossegor the Quik Pro France is always lucky with the conditions, that every year the best swell arrives for this special event but not this year. It was a handful of local crew and traveling pro's who stayed after the comp to really taste what Hossegor has to offer. Just a fews days following, the stars aligned with perfect waves on a perfect sand bank, neatly groomed by a light offshore wind. Two days of classic Lande" pumping conditions what we all dream of.
In tricky conditions, brothers Reubyn and Joss continue to put it all on a rail. Take a look to see how it feels when it's easy. Click into the full edit now playing.
The UK county of Lincolnshire is where I first started surfing and if I’m honest the one place I would truly consider my homeland. I left there when I was 19 (mainly in the pursuit of better waves!) but as fate would have it in 2016 after 27 years away I found myself living back in the area for an extended period.
‘Return to Yellow’ not only visually chronicles the surfing I experienced during this period and but also aims to give a feeling of what it's like to live in this forgotten little corner of England. It's a journey into the county where the locals are called ‘Yellowbellies’, vast swathes of land are at sea level and sediment from one of the UK’s largest rivers means the water only comes in various shades of brown. A place that with the wisdom of age I came to realise might not exactly be a surf mecca but is still a beautiful little place to call home.
P.S. This short would have never happened without the support of my incredibly creative partner Jeanne-Marie Persaud who got behind the camera on the days when most people would choose to be at home behind nothing more than a mug of tea.
Movie currently on the Longlist for the 2021 London Surf Film Festival Shorties section, check out the other entries and Go vote for it here.
