It's Paddle Week -- part of the WSL Big Wave Awards. This important category has exploded in recent years as athletes have pushed the boundaries of what's possible. Today, surfers are paddling into waves once reserved for towing, making these among the most death-defying rides of the season.
Case in point: This year, all the nominees are waves from Jaws, which only a few short years ago was a tow-only zone and is now the penultimate proving ground for Big Wave Surfers across the globe.
For all the entries, winners, and information on the 2020 Red Bull Big Wave Awards, head here.
Felicity Palmateer has proven she is one of the elite big wave surfers in the world. In the 2019 cbdMD Jaws Big Wave Championships she showed total commitment to finish as Runner-up
2020 Women's Paddle Nominee: Felicity Palmateer at Jaws. - WSL / Erik Aeder
A quiet, thoughtful personality who prefers to let his surfing do the talking, Russell Bierke's impact on the sport has already been dramatic -- he's helped redefine what is possible.
2020 Men's Paddle Nominee: Russell Bierke at Jaws 4 - WSL / Keoki Saguibo
Born on the island of Victoria B.C. Canada, Paige Alms relocated to the warmer island of Maui when she was nine years old. Ho'okipa became the stomping grounds at age ten and by the age of 15, Paige's first big wave session had her instantly hooked.
2020 Women's Paddle Entry: Paige Alms at Jaws. - WSL
For a long time Oahu's Nathan Florence was better known as the younger brother of World Champion John John. However over time the affable natural footer has become a surf star in his right. His combination of big wave charging and solid social media presence has seen "Nate" win fans all over the world.
2020 Men's Paddle Nominee: Nathan Florence at Jaws. - WSL / Marco Arellano
Hailing from Maui, Kemper spent a childhood looking up to the greatest Hawaiians from the generations before him. However it is now Kemper, the 2017 Big Wave World Champion, who is known as the "King Of Jaws".
2020 Men's Paddle Nominee: Billy Kemper at Jaws. - WSL / Brady Lawrence
Hailing from the North Shore of Oahu, Eli Olson has continued to follow his own path in, and out, of the water. He's earned respect as a standout at Pipe and Backdoor.
2020 Men's Paddle Nominee: Eli Olson at Jaws. - WSL / Adam Carbajal
Maui's Ian Walsh has been at the forefront of big wave surfing for over two decades. The 2017 Peʻahi Challenge Champion first surfed Jaws when he was just 16.
2020 Men's Paddle Nominee: Ian Walsh at Jaws. - WSL / Luana Teixeira
These Seven Big Wave Award Paddle Images Will Blow Your Mind
Ben Collins
It's Paddle Week -- part of the WSL Big Wave Awards. This important category has exploded in recent years as athletes have pushed the boundaries of what's possible. Today, surfers are paddling into waves once reserved for towing, making these among the most death-defying rides of the season.
Case in point: This year, all the nominees are waves from Jaws, which only a few short years ago was a tow-only zone and is now the penultimate proving ground for Big Wave Surfers across the globe.
For all the entries, winners, and information on the 2020 Red Bull Big Wave Awards, head here.
Felicity Palmateer
Felicity Palmateer has proven she is one of the elite big wave surfers in the world. In the 2019 cbdMD Jaws Big Wave Championships she showed total commitment to finish as Runner-up
Russell Bierke
A quiet, thoughtful personality who prefers to let his surfing do the talking, Russell Bierke's impact on the sport has already been dramatic -- he's helped redefine what is possible.
Paige Alms
Born on the island of Victoria B.C. Canada, Paige Alms relocated to the warmer island of Maui when she was nine years old. Ho'okipa became the stomping grounds at age ten and by the age of 15, Paige's first big wave session had her instantly hooked.
Nathan Florence
For a long time Oahu's Nathan Florence was better known as the younger brother of World Champion John John. However over time the affable natural footer has become a surf star in his right. His combination of big wave charging and solid social media presence has seen "Nate" win fans all over the world.
Billy Kemper
Hailing from Maui, Kemper spent a childhood looking up to the greatest Hawaiians from the generations before him. However it is now Kemper, the 2017 Big Wave World Champion, who is known as the "King Of Jaws".
Eli Olson
Hailing from the North Shore of Oahu, Eli Olson has continued to follow his own path in, and out, of the water. He's earned respect as a standout at Pipe and Backdoor.
Ian Walsh
Maui's Ian Walsh has been at the forefront of big wave surfing for over two decades. The 2017 Peʻahi Challenge Champion first surfed Jaws when he was just 16.
Ian Walsh
2021 Men's Performer Of The Year Nominees: Kai Lenny, Peter Mel, Conor Maguire, Grant Baker, Sebastian Steudner, Ian Walsh, Nathan
2021 Men's Biggest Tow Ian Walsh at Jaws on January 16, 2021. Video from Marc Chambers.
2021 Men's Biggest Paddle Nominee: Ian Walsh at Jaws on December 2, 2021. Video from Carlo Carbajal.
Looking back on the winter that was, Walsh breaks down a once-in-a-decade day that's now lodged in his memory bank.
Kai Lenny, Pete Mel, Twiggy and crew led the charge on a day that was pretty much as good as it gets at the NorCal big-wave spot.
Hawaii/Tahiti Nui
The then 13-year-old, now 15, North Shore competitor already has the mentality required to send it at waves such as Sunset Beach, Waimea,
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