The World Surf League (WSL) announced the list of nominees for the 2017 Big Wave Awards.
The competition will deliver $350,000 in prize money to the winners of the following categories: "Ride of the Year," "Paddle Award," "Biggest Wave," "Men's Overall Performance," "Women's Overall Performance," "Tube of the Year," and "Wipeout of the Year."
The WSL judges reviewed all submissions and will announce the results on April 29, 2017, in Huntington Beach, California. The list of nominees includes waves ridden in California, Fiji, Hawaii, Mexico, Portugal, and Tasmania.
The shortlist is younger than ever, but the veterans are also represented in this year's Big Wave Awards.
"Diversity is probably the theme this year, with epic paddle sessions in places like California and Mexico, then tow days in Maui or Portugal to mix it up, with the young crew willing to try whatever discipline works best for the conditions at hand," notes Bill Sharp, director of the Big Wave Awards.
"Paddling is still regarded as the gold standard, but when it's giant and windy - like it was at Jaws and Nazaré at times this winter - the limits were being pushed like never before."
Nazaré confirmed its status as one of the most powerful and dangerous surf breaks in the world and, in the last winter season, the quiet fishing village welcomed nearly every big wave riding professional. As a result, Praia do Norte earned nine nominations.
Ride of the Year | Nominees
Ben Andrews (Morro Bay, California, USA) at Mavericks, California on November 9, 2016
Lucas "Chumbo" Chianca (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) at Nazaré, Portugal on December 22, 2016
Billy Kemper (Haiku, Hawaii, USA) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on November 11, 2016
Jamie Mitchell (Currumbin, Queensland, Australia) at Puerto Escondido, Mexico on June 24, 2016
Francisco Porcella (Sardegna, Italy) at Nazaré, Portugal on February 28, 2017
The winner takes $75,000.
Paddle Award | Nominees
Ben Andrews (Morro Bay, California, USA) at Mavericks, California on November 9, 2016
Trevor Sven Carlson (Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA) at Nazaré, Portugal on December 17, 2016
Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) at Nazaré, Portugal on December 22, 2016
Christopher Mashburn (San Diego, California, USA) at Mavericks, California on January 26, 2017
Jamie Mitchell (Currumbin, Queensland, Australia) at Nazaré, Portugal on December 20, 2016
The winner takes $30,000.
Biggest Wave Award | Nominees
Trevor Sven Carlson (Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA) at Nazaré, Portugal on December 23, 2016
Kai Lenny (Paia, Hawaii, USA) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on November 8, 2016
Francisco Porcella (Sardegna, Italy) at Nazaré, Portugal on October 24, 2016
Sebastian Steudtner (Nuremberg, Germany) at Nazaré, Portugal on October 24, 2016
Hugo Vau (Terceira, Azores, Portugal) at Nazaré, Portugal on October 24, 2016
The winner takes $25,000.
Men's Overall Performance | Nominees
Grant Baker (Durban, South Africa)
Pedro Calado (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Trevor Sven Carlson (Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA)
Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Billy Kemper (Haiku, Hawaii, USA)
Nic Lamb (Santa Cruz, California, USA)
Kai Lenny (Haiku, Hawaii, USA)
Greg Long (San Clemente, California, USA)
Jamie Mitchell (Currumbin, Queensland, Australia)
Francisco Porcella (Sardegna, Italy))
The winner takes $20,000.
Women's Overall Performance | Nominees
Paige Alms (Haiku, Hawaii, USA)
Justine Dupont (Lacanau, France)
Keala Kennelly (Hanalei, Hawaii, USA)
Nicole Pacelli (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
Bianca Valenti (Mill Valley, California, USA)
The winner takes $15,000.
Tube of the Year | Nominees
Dane Gudauskas (San Clemente, California, USA) at Cloudbreak, Fiji on May 23, 2016
Conor Maguire (Bundoran, Ireland) at Mullaghmore Head, Ireland on March 15, 2017
Bradley Norris (Perth, W.A. Australia) at The Right, Western Australia on May 16, 2016
Dan Ryan (Margaret River, W.A. Australia) at The Right, Western Australia on May 16, 2016
Shanan Worrall (Margaret River, W.A. Australia) at The Right, Western Australia on May 16, 2016
The winner takes $10,000.
Wipeout of the Year | Nominees
Wilem Banks (Santa Cruz, California, USA) at Mavericks, California on January 26, 2017
Nathan Florence (Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA) at Mavericks, California on January 26, 2017
Danny Griffiths (Hobart, Tasmania, Australia) at Shipstern Bluff, Tasmania on June 16, 2016
Tom Lowe (St. Ives, Cornwall, United Kingdom) at Nazaré, Portugal on October 24, 2016
Rafael Tapia (Santiago, Chile) at Nazaré, Portugal on October 24, 2016
The winner takes $5,000.