Big Wave Challenge 2026: Meet the Main Standouts

Tom Lowe and Justine Dupont were recognized as the Surfers of the Year, while Natxo González, Izzi Gómez, Rodrigo Koxa and Michelle Des Bouillons took the top honors in some of the season's most outstanding big wave categories.

The Big Wave Challenge 2026 has crowned its winners. The awards ceremony took place on September 19 at the Lido Theater in Newport Beach, California, recognizing the best big wave performances across ten categories. The edition was marked by big wave surfing at Mullaghmore Head, Teahupo'o, Todos Santos and Nazaré, four iconic venues that accounted for many of the nominated waves.

The Big Wave Challenge 2026 ceremony recognized the best big wave surfers of the season

Justine Dupont was one of the night's biggest stars, nominated in three categories and ultimately awarded Women's Surfer of the Year, her sixth victory in this category throughout her career. In the men's division, Tom Lowe earned the Men's Surfer of the Year award after an impressive comeback to big wave surfing, just six months after a serious accident at Teahupo'o that left him close to death. Basque surfer Natxo González took home Men's Ride of the Year for an impressive wave at Mullaghmore Head, while Izzi Gómez earned Women's Ride of the Year for her performance at Teahupo'o.

Justine Dupont earned her sixth Surfer of the Year title

Tom Lowe was awarded Surfer of the Year after his impressive comeback

Natxo González took home the Men's Ride of the Year award

Izzi Gómez was recognized with the Women's Ride of the Year award for her performance at Teahupo'o

Rodrigo Koxa was recognized in Men's Biggest Wave for a wave surfed at Nazaré, adding another milestone at Praia do Norte after setting the world record in 2017. Michelle Des Bouillons stood out in Women's Biggest Wave with a wave estimated at 24.99 meters, also at Nazaré. In the paddle category, Grant 'Twiggy' Baker won Men's Paddle, while Zoe Chait earned Women's Paddle for her performance at Todos Santos, Mexico. The Young Gun award went to Ian Pegoraro from Maui, Hawaii.

Rodrigo Koxa won the Men's Biggest Wave award for his performance at Nazaré

Michelle Des Bouillons stood out with a 24.99-meter wave at Nazaré

Grant 'Twiggy' Baker won the Men's Paddle category award

Zoe Chait earned the Women's Paddle award for her performance at Todos Santos

Ian Pegoraro was recognized with the Young Gun award as an outstanding young surfer

Alberto Truncer received the Wipeout of the Year award for an extreme wipeout at Nazaré, captured by Helio Antonio. Robert Brown was honored with the Special Award for Contributions to the Sport, and Rennan Chaves was recognized as Videographer of the Year. Notable among the nominees was Dominique 'Domi' Charrier, Chile's only representative, who although she didn't win, marked an important milestone for Chilean big wave surfing by being present in two categories at the most relevant international big wave stage.

Alberto Truncer received the Wipeout of the Year award for his fall at Nazaré

Robert Brown was honored with the Special Award for Contributions to the Sport

Rennan Chaves was recognized as Big Wave Videographer of the Year

Dominique Charrier marked a milestone as Chile's only representative nominated in two categories