One Big Wave Photographer Will Take Home $5,000 For a Single Frame

Originally posted on SURFER | By August Howell | Last updated Aug 27, 2025 7:25 PM ET

Big-wave sessions can be frantic. There’s a lot to process: fast-moving waves, surfers going in and out of the lineup, skis buzzing around like bees in a hive, whitewater sending torrential spray to the heavens. With so much happening, a lot can go unseen.

That’s what makes the Big Wave Challenge 5-Hour Energy One-Shot Photo of the Year award so impactful. It takes moments that one may have missed in the chaos and puts them at the forefront to be examined, studied and celebrated. And, of course, it’s a chance to recognize the photographers who were in position to snap the shot in the first place.

This award is just one of several that will be presented at the BWC awards night on September 13 at the Lido Theater in Newport Beach, California. We’ve posted the full list of nominees here. But in keeping with the spirit of still photography, we’re slowing the rollout for this award just to savor it that much more.

Here’s the nuts and bolts: Only the two-dozen photographers who contributed entries during the 2025 Big Wave Challenge season can participate. The photos must have been taken during the event window (From July 2024 to June 30, 2025). Each photographer can submit one image they feel was their best of the year. It’s an open-ended invite. The shot can be anything from a surfer packing the biggest barrel, a breathtaking wave, or a stunning wipeout. Whatever arrests your gaze.

The entries are being posted daily on Instagram until early September. After that, ballots will be sent to all participating surfers and photographers involved in the Big Wave Challenge. The three photos will the highest vote tally will be the finalists (and revealed on September 7). The winner will be showered in glory and handed a $5,000 check at the Lido Theater on September 13. The two runners-up will take home $1,500 each.

The photos posted here are just a smattering of the submitted imagery. You can find more SURFER's page here for the daily drops until August 31. We'll be doing a deeper dive into the three final photos vying for $5K next month. In the meantime, just sit back and take these in.

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: