The 2014/2015 WSL Big Wave Awards honors the best performances of the year, from tubes to wipeouts and women's surfing to the ride of the year. During a yearlong window, submissions poured in from breaks around the world, including big wave hotspots Puerto Escondido, Nazaré, Jaws, Maverick's and more.
"It was another spectacular year of big wave surfing, all around the globe," said Bill Sharp, Big Wave Award Event Director and Founder. "This year there is a complete assortment of countries where amazing waves were ridden. It might even be the most internationally represented season ever in the 15 years since I started the Big Wave Awards."
2014/2015 Big Wave Tour Champion: Makuakai Rothman (HAW)
Fresh off the podium from the Quiksilver Ceremonial, Makuakai Rothman accepts the 2014/2015 Championship Trophy.
The 2014/2015 Big Wave Award Nominees Are (click surfer name for corresponding nomination gallery):
Matahi Drollet wins the Tube award category. Photograph Winner: Tim McKenna. - WSL / Tim McKenna
WINNER: Matahi Drollet, Photograph by Tim McKenna (Tahiti, French Polynesia) at Teahupo'o, Tahiti on September 11, 2014. (Photograph Nominees: Maui Cojan, Julien Girardot, Domenic Mosquiera, Kenna Colburn, Tim McKenna, Raihei Tapeta.)
Other Nominees
Mick Corbett (Perth, WA, Australia) at Cow Bombie, Australia on August 9, 2014. (Photograph Nominee: Jamie Scott.)
Dean Morrison (Gold Coast, Australia) at The Right, Australia on April 18, 2014. (Photograph Nominee: Trent Slatter.)
Brad Norris (Perth, WA, Australia) at The Right, Australia on April 18, 2014. (Photograph Nominees: Chris Gurney, Calum Macaulay, Trent Slatter.)
Chris Ross (Margaret River, WA, Australia) at The Right, Australia on April 18, 2014. (Photograph Nominees: Calum Macaulay, Russell Ord, Trent Slatter.)
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Women's Best Performance Nominee: Paige Alms (Haiku, Hawaii, USA)
Video by: Dan Norkunas, Take Shelter Productions
- WSL / Norkunas
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Jaws, Hawaii
- WSL / Erik Aeder
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Jaws, Hawaii
- WSL / Dooma Photos
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Jaws, Hawaii
- WSL / Ademir Da Silva
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Jaws, Hawaii
- WSL / Mike Jucker
WINNER: Paige Alms (Haiku, Hawaii, USA)
Other Nominees
Emi Erickson (Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA)
Keala Kennelly (Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA)
Silvia Nabuco (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
Jamilah Star (Santa Cruz, California, USA)
Benjamin Sanchis earns the Wipeout Award at Nazaré. Video winner: Michael Darrigade.
WINNER: Benjamin Sanchis, Video by Michael Darrigade (Hossegor, France) at Nazaré, Portugal on December 11, 2014. (Video by Michael Darrigade.)
Other Nominees
Scott Dennis (Bawley Point, New South Wales, Australia) at Remote Australia on August 5, 2014. (Video by Tyge Landa.)
Marcio Freire (Bahia, Brazil) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on January 21, 2015. (Video by Dan Norkunas.)
Billy Kemper (Haiku, Hawaii, USA) at Puerto Escondido, Mexico on July 5, 2014. (Video by Daniel Nava.)
Jamie Mitchell and Chapman Murphey (Gold Coast, Australia and San Diego, California, USA respectively) at Maverick's, California on December 20, 2014. (Video by Alexey Orlov.)
Sebastian Steudtner wins the XXL Biggest Wave Award. Photograph Winner: Mike Jones. - WSL / Mike Jones
WINNER: Sebastian Steudtner, Photograph by Mike Jones (Nuremberg, Germany) at Nazaré, Portugal on December 11, 2014. (Video Nominee: Silvino Esperanca. Photograph Nominees: Mike Jones, Everton Luis, Pedro Miranda, Ru Olveira, Miguel Prata, Red Bull/Jeff Flindt, Abel Santos.)
Other Nominees:
Ross Clarke-Jones (Avoca Beach, New South Wales, Australia) at Nazaré, Portugal on December 11, 2014. (Video Nominee: Humberto Santos. Photograph Nominees: Antonio Balau, Daniela Carneiro, Andre Carvalho, Jose Pinto, Luis Rodrigues, Mark Wengler.)
Mick Corbett (Perth, WA, Australia) at Cow Bombie, Australia on August 9, 2014. (Photograph Nominee: Jamie Scott.)
Jarryd Foster (Dodges Ferry, Tasmania, Australia) at Cow Bombie, Australia on August 9, 2014. (Photograph Nominee: Jamie Scott.)
Hugo Vau (Terceira, Azores, Portugal) at Nazaré, Portugal on December 11, 2014. (Video Nominee: Bro Cinema. Photograph Nominees: Bruno Aleixo, Red Bull/Jeff Flindt, Mark Wengler.)
Shane Dorian wins 2014/2015 Surfline Overall Performance Award.
WINNER: Shane Dorian (Kona, Hawaii, USA)
Other Nominees
Grant Baker (Durban, South Africa)
Trevor Carlson (Sunset Beach, Hawaii, USA)
Albee Layer (Haiku, Hawaii, USA)
Makua Rothman (Sunset Beach, Hawaii, USA)
Jamie Mitchell wins the Paddle category for a wave at Maverick's, CA. Photographer Winner: Fred Pompermayer - WSL / Fred Pompermayer
WINNER: Jamie Mitchell, Photograph by Fred Pompermayer (Gold Coast, Australia) at Maverick's, California on December 20, 2014. (Video Nominee: Tony Harrington. Photograph Nominees: Doug Acton, Richard Hallman, Fred Pompermayer, Frank Quirarte.)
Other Nominees
Grant Baker (Durban, South Africa) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on November 12, 2014. (Video Nominee: Elliot Leboe. Photograph Nominees: Erik Aeder, Marc Chambers, Dooma Photos, Nick Ricca.)
Grant Baker (Durban, South Africa) at Pico Alto, Peru on July 3, 2014. (Video Nominee: WSL Big Wave Tour Video. Photograph Nominee: Rommel Gonzales.)
Damien Hobgood (Satellite Beach, Florida, USA) at Punta de Lobos, Chile on May 5, 2014. (Video/Photograph Nominees: Rodrigo Farias, Cristian Saez.)
Nic Vaughan (Rancho Palos Verdes, California, USA) at Maverick's, California on December 20, 2014. (Video Nominee: Alejandro Berger. Photographer Nominees: Richard Hallman, Fred Pompermayer, Frank Quirarte.)
Shane Dorian wins the Billabong Ride of the Year for a massive barrel at Puerto Escondido. Video winner: Alejandro de la Torre.
WINNER: Shane Dorian, Video by Alejandro de la Torre. (Kona, Hawaii, USA) at Puerto Escondido, Mexico on July 5, 2014. (Video Nominee, Alejandro de la Torre.)
Other Nominees
No. 2 - Gabriel Villaran (Punta Hermosa, Peru) at Puerto Escondido, Mexico on July 5, 2014. (Video Nominee, Daniel Nava.)
No. 3 - Shane Dorian (Kona, Hawaii, USA) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on November 12, 2014. (Video Nominee, Bruno Lemons.)
No. 4 - Dean Morrison (Gold Coast, Australia) at The Right, Australia on April 18, 2014. (Video Nominee, Tim Bonython.)
No. 5 - Brad Domke (Wabasso Beach, Florida, USA) at Puerto Escondido, Mexico on July 5, 2014. (Video Nominee, Dylan Palmer.)
Wondering how the Big Wave Awards work? Be sure to check out the full event guide here.
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Sebastian Steudtner winning the XXL Biggest Wave at the 2015 Big Wave Awards.
- WSL
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Greg Noll and Greg Long at the Big Wave Awards.
- WSL
Best in Biggest: 2014/15 Big Wave Awards Winners List
WSL
The 2014/2015 WSL Big Wave Awards honors the best performances of the year, from tubes to wipeouts and women's surfing to the ride of the year. During a yearlong window, submissions poured in from breaks around the world, including big wave hotspots Puerto Escondido, Nazaré, Jaws, Maverick's and more.
"It was another spectacular year of big wave surfing, all around the globe," said Bill Sharp, Big Wave Award Event Director and Founder. "This year there is a complete assortment of countries where amazing waves were ridden. It might even be the most internationally represented season ever in the 15 years since I started the Big Wave Awards."
2014/2015 Big Wave Tour Champion: Makuakai Rothman (HAW)
The 2014/2015 Big Wave Award Nominees Are (click surfer name for corresponding nomination gallery):
Tube Nominees
Matahi Drollet wins the Tube award category. Photograph Winner: Tim McKenna. - WSL / Tim McKennaWINNER: Matahi Drollet, Photograph by Tim McKenna (Tahiti, French Polynesia) at Teahupo'o, Tahiti on September 11, 2014. (Photograph Nominees: Maui Cojan, Julien Girardot, Domenic Mosquiera, Kenna Colburn, Tim McKenna, Raihei Tapeta.)
Other Nominees
Mick Corbett (Perth, WA, Australia) at Cow Bombie, Australia on August 9, 2014. (Photograph Nominee: Jamie Scott.)
Dean Morrison (Gold Coast, Australia) at The Right, Australia on April 18, 2014. (Photograph Nominee: Trent Slatter.)
Brad Norris (Perth, WA, Australia) at The Right, Australia on April 18, 2014. (Photograph Nominees: Chris Gurney, Calum Macaulay, Trent Slatter.)
Chris Ross (Margaret River, WA, Australia) at The Right, Australia on April 18, 2014. (Photograph Nominees: Calum Macaulay, Russell Ord, Trent Slatter.)
Women's Best Performance Nominees
WINNER: Paige Alms (Haiku, Hawaii, USA)
Other Nominees
Emi Erickson (Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA)
Keala Kennelly (Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA)
Silvia Nabuco (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
Jamilah Star (Santa Cruz, California, USA)
Wipeout Nominees
WINNER: Benjamin Sanchis, Video by Michael Darrigade (Hossegor, France) at Nazaré, Portugal on December 11, 2014. (Video by Michael Darrigade.)
Other Nominees
Scott Dennis (Bawley Point, New South Wales, Australia) at Remote Australia on August 5, 2014. (Video by Tyge Landa.)
Marcio Freire (Bahia, Brazil) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on January 21, 2015. (Video by Dan Norkunas.)
Billy Kemper (Haiku, Hawaii, USA) at Puerto Escondido, Mexico on July 5, 2014. (Video by Daniel Nava.)
Jamie Mitchell and Chapman Murphey (Gold Coast, Australia and San Diego, California, USA respectively) at Maverick's, California on December 20, 2014. (Video by Alexey Orlov.)
XXL Biggest Wave Nominees
Sebastian Steudtner wins the XXL Biggest Wave Award. Photograph Winner: Mike Jones. - WSL / Mike JonesWINNER: Sebastian Steudtner, Photograph by Mike Jones (Nuremberg, Germany) at Nazaré, Portugal on December 11, 2014. (Video Nominee: Silvino Esperanca. Photograph Nominees: Mike Jones, Everton Luis, Pedro Miranda, Ru Olveira, Miguel Prata, Red Bull/Jeff Flindt, Abel Santos.)
Other Nominees:
Ross Clarke-Jones (Avoca Beach, New South Wales, Australia) at Nazaré, Portugal on December 11, 2014. (Video Nominee: Humberto Santos. Photograph Nominees: Antonio Balau, Daniela Carneiro, Andre Carvalho, Jose Pinto, Luis Rodrigues, Mark Wengler.)
Mick Corbett (Perth, WA, Australia) at Cow Bombie, Australia on August 9, 2014. (Photograph Nominee: Jamie Scott.)
Jarryd Foster (Dodges Ferry, Tasmania, Australia) at Cow Bombie, Australia on August 9, 2014. (Photograph Nominee: Jamie Scott.)
Hugo Vau (Terceira, Azores, Portugal) at Nazaré, Portugal on December 11, 2014. (Video Nominee: Bro Cinema. Photograph Nominees: Bruno Aleixo, Red Bull/Jeff Flindt, Mark Wengler.)
Surfline Overall Performance Nominees
WINNER: Shane Dorian (Kona, Hawaii, USA)
Other Nominees
Grant Baker (Durban, South Africa)
Trevor Carlson (Sunset Beach, Hawaii, USA)
Albee Layer (Haiku, Hawaii, USA)
Makua Rothman (Sunset Beach, Hawaii, USA)
Paddle Nominees
Jamie Mitchell wins the Paddle category for a wave at Maverick's, CA. Photographer Winner: Fred Pompermayer - WSL / Fred PompermayerWINNER: Jamie Mitchell, Photograph by Fred Pompermayer (Gold Coast, Australia) at Maverick's, California on December 20, 2014. (Video Nominee: Tony Harrington. Photograph Nominees: Doug Acton, Richard Hallman, Fred Pompermayer, Frank Quirarte.)
Other Nominees
Grant Baker (Durban, South Africa) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on November 12, 2014. (Video Nominee: Elliot Leboe. Photograph Nominees: Erik Aeder, Marc Chambers, Dooma Photos, Nick Ricca.)
Grant Baker (Durban, South Africa) at Pico Alto, Peru on July 3, 2014. (Video Nominee: WSL Big Wave Tour Video. Photograph Nominee: Rommel Gonzales.)
Damien Hobgood (Satellite Beach, Florida, USA) at Punta de Lobos, Chile on May 5, 2014. (Video/Photograph Nominees: Rodrigo Farias, Cristian Saez.)
Nic Vaughan (Rancho Palos Verdes, California, USA) at Maverick's, California on December 20, 2014. (Video Nominee: Alejandro Berger. Photographer Nominees: Richard Hallman, Fred Pompermayer, Frank Quirarte.)
Billabong Ride of the Year Nominees
WINNER: Shane Dorian, Video by Alejandro de la Torre. (Kona, Hawaii, USA) at Puerto Escondido, Mexico on July 5, 2014. (Video Nominee, Alejandro de la Torre.)
Other Nominees
No. 2 - Gabriel Villaran (Punta Hermosa, Peru) at Puerto Escondido, Mexico on July 5, 2014. (Video Nominee, Daniel Nava.)
No. 3 - Shane Dorian (Kona, Hawaii, USA) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on November 12, 2014. (Video Nominee, Bruno Lemons.)
No. 4 - Dean Morrison (Gold Coast, Australia) at The Right, Australia on April 18, 2014. (Video Nominee, Tim Bonython.)
No. 5 - Brad Domke (Wabasso Beach, Florida, USA) at Puerto Escondido, Mexico on July 5, 2014. (Video Nominee, Dylan Palmer.)
Wondering how the Big Wave Awards work? Be sure to check out the full event guide here.
Ross Clarke-Jones
Quiksilver Airlift XXL Biggest Wave Award Nominee Ross Clarke-Jones at Nazaré, Portugal on January 18, 2018. Photos by Bruno Aleixo and
Ride of the Year Nominee Ross Clarke-Jones at Nazaré, Portugal on January 18, 2018. Video by Pedro Miranda.
Quiksilver Airlift XXL Biggest Wave Nominee Ross Clarke-Jones at Nazaré, Portugal on January 18, 2018. Video by Humberto Santos.
2018 Ride of the Year Entry: Ross Clarke-Jones at Nazaré, Portugal on February 16, 2017. Video by Nuno Dias.
2018 XXL Biggest Wave Entry: Ross Clarke-Jones at Nazaré, Portugal on February 16, 2018. 4 shot sequence by André Botelho.
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