Nothing is simple in the world right now, but if you're the kind of surfer who chases XXL swells around the planet, then you're used to switching your plans every time the wind and weather change their minds. This year, the World Surf League and Red Bull switched things up a little as well and the 2021 Red Bull Big Wave Awards were the result.
Chris Coté and Rosy Hodge were in charge of hosting the live show in Los Angeles, as we shocked our winners with a string of door-knock videos to announce the results. As you can imagine, the surprise nature of the reveal caught a lot of our winners off-guard and led to some genuinely candid moments of emotion.
On the ladies side of things Frenchwoman Justine Dupont took home three-quarters of the bacon, claiming Ride Of The Year, Performer Of The Year and the Biggest Tow award for her wave of a lifetime at Jaws. The only trophy left went to Paige Alms, who successfully defended her Biggest Paddle award with yet another Jaws bomb to keep the trophy in Maui.
For the men, Kai Lenny reminded us once again that he's built slightly differently and claimed both Performer Of The Year and the Biggest Paddle award. Peter Mel brought the house down, with his incredible Mavericks wave earning him Ride Of The Year, an honour he touchingly dedicated to his recently-passed mother. German heavy water specialist Sebastian Steudtner claimed the Biggest Tow trophy, with yet another Jaws bomb to add to his resume.
The full list of results is below, but first be sure to hit play on the video above to savour some of surfing's heaviest hitters caught completely unawares and out of their comfort zones for the rarest of fleeting moments. Enjoy.
Ride Of The Year – Women
Justine Dupont – Jaws, 16/1/21 – Slater Berosky
Maya Gabeira – Nazaré, 5/2/21 – Cesinha Feliciano
Keala Kennelly – Himalays, 2/12/20 – Ken Kosada
Paige Alms – Todos Santos, 11/1/21 – Mike Nulty
Michelle de Bouillons – Nazaré, 22/2/21 – Cesinha Feliciano
Ride Of The Year – Men
Peter Mel – Mavericks, 8/1/21 – Curt Myers
Kai Lenny – Jaws, 2/12/20 – Elliot Leboe
Kai Lenny – Jaws, 16/1/21 – Marcus Rodrigues
Grant Baker – Mavericks, 11/12/20 – Richard Hallman
Conor Maguire – Mullaghmore, 28/10/20 – Clem McInererney
Performer of the Year – Women
Justine Dupont
Maya Gabeira
Paige Alms
Keala Kennelly
Michelle de Bouillons
Performer of the Year – Men
Kai Lenny
Peter Mel
Grant Baker
Sebastian Steudtner
Conor Maguire
Biggest Paddle – Women
Paige Alms – Todos Santos, 11/1/21 – Ryan Craig
Keala Kennelly – Himalayas, 2/12/20 – Ken Kosada
Justine Dupont – Mavericks, 8/12/20 – Pedro Bala
Bianca Valenti – Mavericks, 12/1/21 – Curt Myers
Justine Dupont – Jaws, 17/1/21 – Maui Cartel
Biggest Paddle – Men
Kai Lenny – Jaws, 2/12/20 – Sebastian Tronolone Jr.
Peter Mel – Mavericks, 8/1/21 – Pedro Bala
Billy Kemper – Jaws, 2/12/20 – Sebastian Tronolone Jr.
Grant Baker – Mavericks, 11/12/20 – Richard Hallman
Peter Mel – Mavericks, 8/12/20 – Marcus Chambers
Biggest Tow – Women
Justine Dupont – Jaws, 16/1/21 – Sebastian Tronolone Jr.
Maya Gabeira – Nazaré, 29/10/20 – Jorge Leal
Justine Dupont – Nazaré, 29/10/20 – Above Creators
Maya Gabeira – Nazaré, 5/2/21 – Luis de Sá
Justine Dupont – Mavericks, 1/1/21 – Pedro Bala
Biggest Tow – Men
Sebastian Steudtner – Nazaré 1, 29/10/20 – Jorge Leal
Kai Lenny – Jaws, 16/1/21 – Marcus Rodrigues
Connor Maguire – Mullaghmore, 28/10/20 – Clem McInerney
Sebastian Steudner – Nazaré 2, 29/10/20 – Jorge Leal
Lucas Chianca – Nazaré, 29/10/20 – Pedro Miranda
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