There are a lot of gigantic waves entered in the Biggest Tow category of this year's Red Bull Big Wave Awards, but when you've got not one, not two, but three entries under consideration, it's hard not to be considered a favorite.
That's the enviable position Kai Lenny and Justine Dupont find themselves in after a major season of pushing the boundaries charging some of the biggest waves on Earth. They're both strong contenders for Performers Of The Year after splitting time between Nazare in Portugal and Jaws in Hawaii during the last big-wave season.
The number of entries doesn't guarantee a win, but if you review the footage from what Lenny and Dupont have submitted, it's clear they're two of the standout athletes this year. And statistically speaking, it can't hurt to have more entries for the judging panel to critique.
2021 Women's Biggest Tow Nominee: Justine Dupont At Jaws on January 16. Filmed by Sebastian Tronolone Jr.
So, what made their season so special? It's a combination of factors. Being there is half the battle when it comes to big waves. With a perfect storm of variables needing to come together to produce quality, ridable mountains of water. Lenny and Dupont have both wholly dedicated themselves to the chase, and even with international travel being a nightmare over the last year-plus, they've been able to be in the right place at the right time.
Then there's the shear commitment both of these athletes have shown. There is an easily perceptible desire from both to push the boundaries. They are constantly raising the bar and trying to go harder than the previous season. From Lenny's creativity and boundless energy -- think giant air rotations on 60-footers -- to Dupont's bravado and courage to pull into some serious cartoonish looking barrels.
Dupont really put the miles in over the last year as her three nominations come from three different surf spots: Nazare, Jaws and Mavericks. The amount of work it takes to put oneself in the right place at the right time to accomplish something like that is a testament to her passion and dedication to the big-wave pursuit.
Meanwhile, all three of Lenny's nominees come from Jaws. One of the true specialists at the Hawaiian reef, what he's doing out there today, especially on his tow board in mind blowing. He approaches the wave, even on it's most fearsome of days, like it's a four-foot day at Lowers. He did venture to Nazare and Mavericks as well, but he shines brightest at home at Jaws.
2021 Men's Biggest Tow Kai Lenny at Jaws on January 16, 2021. Video from Marcus Rodrigues.
Of course, it's not a given they'll take top honors. Maya Gabeira and Sebastian Steudtner each have two entries each, so they're not far behind. After that, Lenny and Dupont are up against a tough field and the judges are going to have their work cut out for them.
But the ability to complete three top-quality entries deserves some recognition in its own right. The 2021 Red Bull Big Wave Awards show airs on Friday, October 29, at 3:00pm PST on WorldSurfLeague.com, so stay tuned to find out if these three-peat chargers take out the Biggest Tow category.
You can check out all three of Lenny and Dupont's entries here, as well as all the other amazing waves ridden during the competition window.
The 2021 Red Bull Big Wave Awards show airs on Friday, October 29, at 3:00pm PST on WorldSurfLeague.com. For a full list of nominees and all the clips, head here.
Kai Lenny And Justine Dupont Lead The Charge For 2021's Biggest Tow Awards
Ben Collins
There are a lot of gigantic waves entered in the Biggest Tow category of this year's Red Bull Big Wave Awards, but when you've got not one, not two, but three entries under consideration, it's hard not to be considered a favorite.
That's the enviable position Kai Lenny and Justine Dupont find themselves in after a major season of pushing the boundaries charging some of the biggest waves on Earth. They're both strong contenders for Performers Of The Year after splitting time between Nazare in Portugal and Jaws in Hawaii during the last big-wave season.
The number of entries doesn't guarantee a win, but if you review the footage from what Lenny and Dupont have submitted, it's clear they're two of the standout athletes this year. And statistically speaking, it can't hurt to have more entries for the judging panel to critique.
So, what made their season so special? It's a combination of factors. Being there is half the battle when it comes to big waves. With a perfect storm of variables needing to come together to produce quality, ridable mountains of water. Lenny and Dupont have both wholly dedicated themselves to the chase, and even with international travel being a nightmare over the last year-plus, they've been able to be in the right place at the right time.
Then there's the shear commitment both of these athletes have shown. There is an easily perceptible desire from both to push the boundaries. They are constantly raising the bar and trying to go harder than the previous season. From Lenny's creativity and boundless energy -- think giant air rotations on 60-footers -- to Dupont's bravado and courage to pull into some serious cartoonish looking barrels.
Dupont really put the miles in over the last year as her three nominations come from three different surf spots: Nazare, Jaws and Mavericks. The amount of work it takes to put oneself in the right place at the right time to accomplish something like that is a testament to her passion and dedication to the big-wave pursuit.
Meanwhile, all three of Lenny's nominees come from Jaws. One of the true specialists at the Hawaiian reef, what he's doing out there today, especially on his tow board in mind blowing. He approaches the wave, even on it's most fearsome of days, like it's a four-foot day at Lowers. He did venture to Nazare and Mavericks as well, but he shines brightest at home at Jaws.
Of course, it's not a given they'll take top honors. Maya Gabeira and Sebastian Steudtner each have two entries each, so they're not far behind. After that, Lenny and Dupont are up against a tough field and the judges are going to have their work cut out for them.
But the ability to complete three top-quality entries deserves some recognition in its own right. The 2021 Red Bull Big Wave Awards show airs on Friday, October 29, at 3:00pm PST on WorldSurfLeague.com, so stay tuned to find out if these three-peat chargers take out the Biggest Tow category.
You can check out all three of Lenny and Dupont's entries here, as well as all the other amazing waves ridden during the competition window.
The 2021 Red Bull Big Wave Awards show airs on Friday, October 29, at 3:00pm PST on WorldSurfLeague.com. For a full list of nominees and all the clips, head here.
Kai Lenny
November 15 marks the beginning of the Big Wave season, with two events to run between now and March 31.
Justine Dupont and Kai Lenny win Performer Of The Year, as well as a slew of other hardware at the annual Red Bull Big Wave Awards.
The 2021 Red Bull Big Wave Awards show airs on Friday, October 29, at 3:00pm PST. Here's a little back story to get the party started right.
2021 Men's Performer Of The Year Nominees: Kai Lenny, Peter Mel, Conor Maguire, Grant Baker, Sebastian Steudner, Ian Walsh, Nathan
2021 Men's Biggest Tow Kai Lenny at Jaws on January 16, 2021. Video from Elliot Leboe.
News
For those with dreams of qualifying for the 2022 Championship Tour, it's all come down to this, the final Challenger Series event of the
Brazilian nature and Hawaiian nurture could be a potent mix at Haleiwa.
CT or outsider? Backside or frontside? Local or international? A look at the previous winners tells all.
Taiwan's Best Surfers do Battle at Jinzun Harbour in One-off WSL Specialty Event with Yu Chia-Chi, Du Nuo-Ya and Chiu Chin-Hao finshing
Championship Tour surfer Ezekiel Lau joins the podcast to talk about the wild past year of his career.