Koxa and Michelle Put Brazil at the Top of the Giant Waves
Brazil won both Biggest Wave categories at the Big Wave Challenge 2025/26. Rodrigo Koxa took the men's award and Michelle des Bouillons the women's, at the 26th edition ceremony held on September 19, 2026, at the Lido Theater in Newport Beach, California, which handed out more than US$100,000 in prizes.
Koxa's wave was ridden on December 19, 2025, at Praia do Norte in Nazaré, and has a preliminary measurement of 29.15 meters. If it is confirmed and ratified, it would surpass the 26.21 meters of German Sebastian Steudtner, the current record holder. It was his second win at the awards, competing against Lucas "Chumbo" Chianca and Frenchman Clément Roseyro, and all of the finalist waves were also ridden at Nazaré.
Michelle, a 36-year-old from Rio de Janeiro, was honored for the wave of December 13, 2025, also at Praia do Norte, with a preliminary measurement of 24.99 meters. Until that measurement is ratified, the women's record of 22.40 meters stays with Maya Gabeira. Her husband, Ian Cosenza, piloted the tow-in, and she beat finalists Justine Dupont and Michaela Fregonese.
Nazaré dominated the night: ten waves from the spot were among the nominees, and the location was tied to four trophies, including the Men's Paddle award for Grant "Twiggy" Baker and the Wipeout of the Year award for Alberto Truncer. Tom Lowe and Justine Dupont were named Surfers of the Year.
One detail impressed me. According to Surfer magazine, organizer Bill Sharp said the event would have been canceled without the waves recorded at Mullaghmore and Teahupo'o, since Hawaii and the US West Coast were left out of the nominations. Now it is a matter of waiting for ratification.
Source: Waves
Koxa's wave was ridden on December 19, 2025, at Praia do Norte in Nazaré, and has a preliminary measurement of 29.15 meters. If it is confirmed and ratified, it would surpass the 26.21 meters of German Sebastian Steudtner, the current record holder. It was his second win at the awards, competing against Lucas "Chumbo" Chianca and Frenchman Clément Roseyro, and all of the finalist waves were also ridden at Nazaré.
Michelle, a 36-year-old from Rio de Janeiro, was honored for the wave of December 13, 2025, also at Praia do Norte, with a preliminary measurement of 24.99 meters. Until that measurement is ratified, the women's record of 22.40 meters stays with Maya Gabeira. Her husband, Ian Cosenza, piloted the tow-in, and she beat finalists Justine Dupont and Michaela Fregonese.
Nazaré dominated the night: ten waves from the spot were among the nominees, and the location was tied to four trophies, including the Men's Paddle award for Grant "Twiggy" Baker and the Wipeout of the Year award for Alberto Truncer. Tom Lowe and Justine Dupont were named Surfers of the Year.
One detail impressed me. According to Surfer magazine, organizer Bill Sharp said the event would have been canceled without the waves recorded at Mullaghmore and Teahupo'o, since Hawaii and the US West Coast were left out of the nominations. Now it is a matter of waiting for ratification.
Source: Waves
Comments 0
Leave the first comment, in any language.
Log in to comment