SURFER Big Wave Challenge Names 2024 Finalists Ahead of Live Awards Show in Portugal
The SURFER Big Wave Challenge – a yearlong, international surfing competition to ride and document the world’s biggest waves – is nearly complete. The winners will be crowned this week in Nazaré, Portugal, home to the world’s biggest wave. For over two decades, the Big Wave Challenge (formerly the XXL Big Wave Awards) has celebrated the international hunt to ride the biggest waves of the year.
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SURFER and Big Wave Challenge Name 2024 Finalists (Photo: Business Wire)
Created in 2000 by Bill Sharp, co-producer of HBO’s “100 Foot Wave,” it is one of the most recognized competitions in all of surfing. This year’s SURFER Big Wave Challenge, presented by 5-hour ENERGY, will award a total of $160,000 in prize money – the largest purse in big-wave surfing this year.
The event will be livestreamed on October 19, 2024, at www.surfer.com and on FUEL TV. The broadcast is scheduled to go live at 4:00 PM EDT / 1:00 PM PDT.
Broadcast B-Roll Video and Photos Here
The SURFER Big Wave Challenge is a tribute to the surfers, photographers and videographers who put it all on the line to challenge themselves and chase the dream of riding the world’s biggest waves. With both online content and the live awards presentation, it celebrates the hard work, dedication and commitment on both sides of the camera.
“Big-wave surfing is impossible to put in a box, and for going on 25 years now, the platform that Bill Sharp has created has showcased the most heart-pounding moments in the history of the sport,” said SURFER Editor-in-Chief, Jake Howard. “From world records being broken to wipeouts that defy the imagination, surfing doesn’t get any more radical than this. And to be able to elevate what these surfers and filmers do, it’s an honor for SURFER to be involved.”
The nominee categories include: Men’s and Women’s Ride of the Year, Biggest Wave and Paddle of the Year, as well as Wipeout of the Year (presented by Aquamar) and Men’s and Women’s Surfer of the Year. Click here for the full list of nominees.
“I’m truly stoked to be able to once again award trophies and some cash to the sport’s top performers,” said event founder and organizer Bill Sharp. “Having this year’s wildest moments posted on SURFER throughout the year – almost in real time – has made this extra special. All of our nominees will be in attendance as will a great list of current and former big-wave surfers, water safety legends, filmers, photographers and more.”