Please select your home edition
Edition
GJW Direct 2024 Dinghy

Inaugural Big Wave Awards

by International Windsurfing Tour 16 Apr 2020 10:05 BST
Marcillio “Brawzinho” Browne - Most Radical Biggest Wave - All time © Fishbowl Diaries

The inaugural Big Wave Awards have been a lot of fun. This first year has seen well over 100 entries. Each one a stunning display of power, skill, and exceptionally brave riding.

We've seen entries from across the world, and across the ages. From Ireland, Portugal, France, Spain, Africa, Chile, Peru, Australia, Tahiti, Fiji, New Caledonia, and of course Hawaii. From the 1980's, 90's, 2000's and right up to a couple of months ago, the big waves flowed in.

This first year has seen many, but far from all, the great big wave rides across the whole history of our sport emerge to be seen together in one place, for the first time. As years go by we will see more and more extraordinary images emerge, both old and new.

Despite now being online only, without a big party on Maui's north shore as we had planned, the IWT Big Wave Awards is bringing the windsurfing world together, for some positive inspiration, in an otherwise very difficult time.

We encourage you all to express your appreciation to these winners for the inaugural awards night in 2020, and we want you to put forward more of the best big wave rides for next year's awards in 2021. This is an ongoing discussion, not a full stop, this is a place to start, to unearth and celebrate the best big wave riders in our sport. The legends old and new from all corners of the world. We salute you all.

We have a lot of content lined up for the coming weeks that will include interviews and in depth analysis from the brave riders. For now, we submit these winners to you all as a celebration of our sport. As a celebration of the best that we can be. As inspiration for us all now and into the future. As a unifying moment in our sport that allows us all to cheer for these Big Wave Champions!!!

Related Articles

Windsurfer Class Europeans 2025 in Punta Ala
The event concludes after five intense days of racing The Windsurfer Class European Championship 2025 came to a close on Sunday, 14 September at the Centro Velico Punta Ala. This edition saw over 180 competitors from 16 countries battling it out over five days of racing. Posted on 14 Sep
2025 Windsurfing Formula Foil Worlds Overall
Wolf dominates, Martinez del Cerro wins Masters The Formula Windsurfing Foil World Championships, organized by Circolo Surf Torbole under the authority of the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV), came to a close today on Lake Garda. Posted on 13 Sep
2025 Windsurfing Formula Foil Worlds day 3
With one day to go Fabian Wolf dominates with 12 wins out of 15 races The third day of racing at the Formula Windsurfing Foil World Championships brought the fleet to a total of 15 races completed in three days, thanks to excellent wind conditions that made up for the opening day with no wind. Posted on 12 Sep
2025 Windsurfing Formula Foil Worlds days 1 & 2
A superb second day of racing at Lake Garda - Trentino After two years, the Windsurfing Formula Foil World Championships have returned to Circolo Surf Torbole, bringing the champions of the discipline back to the waters of Lake Garda - Trentino. Posted on 11 Sep
Global youth windsurfing reaches new heights
With the unified junior and pro junior world wave tour Young athletes battle for world supremacy across epic wave locations as the most ambitious junior windsurfing tour ever created reaches its climax. Posted on 6 Sep
Flashback Friday - Cape Town & Vieste 2024
We look back at two very different but equally unforgettable stops Every Friday this summer, we're rewinding the tape to revisit the defining moments of last season. Flashback Friday isn't just about results. It's about reliving the drama, the rivalries, and the evolution of freestyle windsurfing. Posted on 5 Sep
Countdown to the Windsurfer Class Europeans
With just a few days left before entries close for the event at Punta Ala With just a few days left before entries close for the Windsurfer European Championship (September 9–14, Punta Ala), preparations are in full swing. Posted on 31 Aug
Andy Brown wins BEAA Athlete of the Month
The 26-year-old was up against Sally Kidson and Ben Llewellin British windsurfer, Andy Brown, has been named Athletes' Athlete of the Month after winning the 2025 iQFOiL World Championships to claim the first world title of his senior career. Posted on 15 Aug
Windsurfer Class Europeans at Punta Ala Preview
More than 170 registered athletes from 16 countries already confirmed From September 9 to 14, the best of the European Windsurfer Class will gather in Punta Ala for an unforgettable event. With more than 170 registered athletes from 16 countries already confirmed, this championship promises to deliver an incredible show. Posted on 9 Aug
Tenerife Windsurf Grand Slam Day 3
Pierre Mortefon draws first blood after the wind fills in late After a couple of days of waiting for the wind, Day 3 eventually provided the goods to end the wait for some official competition as the Slalom X got under way during the early evening in 15-18 knots of wind. Posted on 4 Aug