Photo: Kai Lenny/Youtube
Watching hellmen and women chase big waves last winter feels like ages ago. And yet…a fresh dark season in the Northern Hemisphere is about to slap us in the face.
That’s why the annual Big Wave Awards (whichever entity is organizing them) are always an enjoyable way to commemorate those whose life’s work is surfing scary waves.
There are years when one or two people stand out and go home with a cabinet full of hardware, but the props were spread out across the spectrum this time, it seems, with surfers from every corner of the globe winning awards. Queenscliff Bombie served up the men’s ride of the year, for example, while Maverick’s delivered the biggest wave of the entire season, not Jaws, nor Nazaré.
Within that mix of decorated athletes was Kai Lenny, who’s won the award for the biggest wave in the past, and ride of the year honors, not to mention the Nazaré Big Wave Challenge, just to name a few achievements. He was up for Big Wave Surfer of the Year this time around, but that honor went to Lucas Chumbo.
The above is only worth mentioning to set the table: a recap of recently released of Lenny’s 2024-2025 season. Basically a lifetime’s worth of epic waves for any single one of us. Yes, his (big) wave count was impressive (understatement), and his passport collected a lot of stamps. So props, to one of the best big wave talents on earth for a season highlight reel that is, well, have a look for yourself.
