Peter Mel’s Goliath Tube at Maverick’s, via Fred Pompermayer

Originally posted on SURFER | By Dashel Pierson | Last updated Sep 12, 2025 2:42 PM ET

If there ever was a physical, hard-copy version of the “history books,” oft described in surfing nomenclature, it would be riddled with “bests” and “biggest” and “heaviest” waves – so much so that it would be tough to discern the unequivocal truth.

One of the more recent entries to this proverbial tome, chronicling momentous moments in surfing, would have come from December 23rd, 2024. That was when Alo Slebir potentially rode a 100-footer out at Maverick’s, making mainstream headlines for months to come. But that wasn’t all that went down on the wild and woolly day at Half Moon Bay. Other surfers, too, scored rides worthy of this intangible encyclopedia of surfing feats – surfers like, none other than longtime Mav’s standout, Peter Mel.

On that day, the Santa Cruz native bagged a behemoth. He pulled into a cavern the size of a zeppelin, and lived to tell the tale. Stalwart and award-winning photographer, Fred Pompermayer, was in the channel to capture the wave. And because of his image, he’s been nominated for this year’s 5 Hour Energy One Shot Photo of the Year award.

Per Pompermayer: "That was the biggest ocean I had witnessed in over 20 years. When that wave hit, I was in the perfect spot and so close to the action. I was driving the ski and shooting so it was kind of terrifying, but I knew I had to stay in control and give it my best. I held my position, captured the moment, and instantly knew I had something truly special."

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“The waves move incredibly fast in those conditions — so fast that I had to gun it on my ski just to stay ahead of the wave,” Peter told Bruce Jenkins of the San Francisco Chronicle after that day’s session. “I’m thinking, ‘Wow, this is weird.’ Then the first wave I was towed into — that’s the fastest I’ve ever gone on a surfboard.”

It just so happened that Peter had surfed in the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational right before this wave, drove to the airport, chased the swell, and surfed this wave at Maverick’s the following day. Now, that’s commitment to the cause.

So, the question is: Will Pompermayer’s photo of Mel’s monster tube at Mav’s win this year’s 5 Hour Energy One Shot Photo of the Year award? We’ll find out soon enough. The Big Wave Challenge awards gala is going down September 13th in Newport Beach.

But there's stiff competition for the title...including Matahi Drollet, shot by Jerome Brouillet, on a picture perfect (pun intended) day at Teahupo'o, and Benjamin "Sancho" Sanchis, captured by Erik Aeder, on what just might be the biggest wave ever ridden at Jaws.

Stay tuned to hear the winners.

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

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