# Big wave surfing season and awards

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/big-wave-surfing-season-and-awards
> Updated: 2026-09-21T13:48:00.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

During the 2025/2026 surfing season, significant attention focused on big wave surfing at Praia do Norte in Nazaré, Portugal. Brazilian surfer Rodrigo Koxa emerged as a finalist for the Red Bull Big Wave Challenge 2026 after surfing a wave estimated at 29.15 meters, a height that could potentially reclaim the Guinness World Record from Sebastian Steudtner.

At the Big Wave Challenge 2026 gala in Newport Beach, California, the Praia do Norte location was recognized with four major awards. Rodrigo Koxa received the Men’s Biggest Wave award for his December 2025 performance. In the women’s category, Michelle des Bouillons won the trophy for the Women’s Biggest Wave for her surfing at Nazaré during the same period. Other honors included Grant Baker for Men’s Biggest Paddle and Alberto Truncer for Wipeout of the Year.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-21: Praia do Norte wins four trophies at Big Wave Challenge 2026

Praia do Norte dominated the Big Wave Challenge 2026, with Rodrigo Koxa winning Men’s Biggest Wave for a preliminary 29.15-meter wave and Michelle des Bouillons winning the women’s category.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/praia-do-norte-wins-four-trophies-at-big-wave-challenge-2026

### 2026-08-24: Surfing news: Rodrigo Koxa chases world record and major competitions announced

Surfing news highlights Rodrigo Koxa's potential world record attempt in Nazaré, the upcoming Itacoatiara Big Wave in Niterói, and the start of the Ubatuba Pro Surf 2026 season.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bem-scooby-wins-heat-in-surfing-debut

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Cite as: Big wave surfing season and awards. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/big-wave-surfing-season-and-awards