Who Surfed the Biggest Wave of the Year?

Of note: We must acknowledge Benjamin Sanchis’ truly massive Jaws ride that was nearly a nomination for this category. However, he got clipped by the whitewater and fell at the bottom of the wave. Per the rules of the Big Wave Challenge, the wipeout rendered him ineligible for this award. Still, it’s a helluva wave worth watching again. Read more about the Frenchman’s incredible wave here. 

All three rides came from the same swell that blessed the North Pacific in late December. Shaun and Ty were on hand at Jaws for one of the most consistent and heaviest sessions in years. How’s this for double-dipping: Ty is nominated for both biggest paddle and biggest overall wave from the same day. Meanwhile, at the same time his brother Ian competed in the Eddie, Shaun took a break from water rescue duties to tow into this beast. I hope someone gave this guy a beer afterward. 

Last but not least is Alessandro “Alo” Slebir. The Santa Cruz construction worker and Florence rep not only survived this thing, he rode it flawlessly, bottom turning into a pocket-ride of all pocket-rides. It went viral before he arrived back at Pillar Point Harbor that day. CBS, ESPN, CNN, this thing went mainstream. World record buzz came quick. But is it a record-breaker? Or a 100-footer? Hard to say, and I don’t know (yet). One thing is for certain though. In every interview Alo has given since that wave, he’s been steadfast about his love of surfing Maverick’s and the highs and lows that come with it. He’s not chasing numbers. If he gets it, great. But it’s not everything. 

“Bottom line is, whether is 15ft or 60ft, there is a small group of us that want to be out there every time it breaks,” Alo wrote. “The 23rd was something that we had dreamed of doing since we first started surfing Mavericks. It may come again bigger next year or maybe in another 50 years. Nonetheless when Mavericks breaks will try everything in our power to be there no matter how big. We just like surfing big waves.”