How Big-Wave Photographer Erik Aeder Captured History at Jaws

“He just wanted a mate to come that he could trust. It was just two dads on a trip. The plan was to cruise, keep Liam [Sayhoun] safe, have a look, and hopefully get a few waves,” Sancho continued.  

With the Eddie crescendoing over on Oahu, the northern flank of Maui took the brunt of the thunderous winter swell. As the energy continued to build into the late afternoon, Sancho decided to borrow a board and grabbed the tow rope.

“I just wanted a barrel,” he confessed.

Towed into what may go down in history as the biggest wave ever ridden at Jaws, Sancho’s glory was fleeting. The massive lip cascaded down on his head, vaporizing him in an instant. All of the gas canisters on his inflation vest exploded, and after barely making it to the surface, he was mowed down by four more huge waves.

“When you compare the situation to my Nazare wipeout in 2015 (for which he won Wipeout of the Year), it was so different,” said Sancho. “The safety equipment, communication, and the amount of jet ski help have improved out of sight. And the local Jaws crew are so on point. I have to give so much thanks for their hospitality and help.”

And there, capturing all of the action, relatively safely behind his camera, was legendary surf lensman Erik Aeder. His image of Sancho scratching for dear life has now been nominated for the 5 Hour Energy One Shot Photo of the Year award at the 2025 Big Wave Challenge. 

Growing up in La Jolla, Aeder has long gravitated to the heavy side of the sport. Getting his start shooting the local crew around Windansea and Bird Rock, his first surf photo was published in 1972. From there his path came into focus early. After traveling the world for a brief spell, Aeder landed on Maui, where he’s been ever since. 

Given Maui’s reputation as a playground for ocean lovers, Aeder’s body of work is unique in that it captures the evolution of a variety of wave-riding specialties. From windsurfing and kitesurfing, to standup paddling, foiling, and, of course, big-wave surfing, from his vantage point at Hookipa, Aeder’s portfolio represents the ripple effect that the Valley Isle has had on surfers and ocean-minded people around the world. 

There for the earliest days of towing Jaws in the late ‘90s, when the Strapped Crew, comprised of Laird Hamilton, Darrick Doerner, Buzzy Kerbox and friends, were showing the world what was possible, Aeder’s seen, and photographed, it all out there. Throw in his exploration of Indo and Australia in the ‘70s, as well as his artistic underwater photos, and we’re looking at one of the most impactful portfolios on the high seas. 

Will Sancho’s heroics at Jaws be enough to land Aeder the 5 Hour Energy One Shot Photo of the Year award? We’ll find out at the Big Wave Challenge awards ceremony in Newport Beach on Saturday, September 13.