One thing is certain: there was absolutely no lack of commitment from the surfers nominated for this year’s Big Wave Performance Award. Massive waves to start with, all of them, then there was the threading of monstrous barrels, the on-edge airs, all making for some impressive highlights, mostly filmed in a 90-day time frame thanks to the pandemic shutdown. Early frontrunners? Russell Bierke and Billy Kemper at Jaws, Maya Gabeira monster at Nazare and Kai Lenny’s snowboard-like toying Portugal’s beast. Despite the lack of time to put together campaigns, there was some serious throwing down. The World Surf League also announced the winners of the paddle-in awards, here.
