SANTA CRUZ — Santa Cruz had two big-wave surfers win titles at the 25th annual Big Wave Challenge Awards celebration at Lido Theater in Newport Beach on Saturday.
Alessandro “Alo” Slebir was named the 2024-25 Men’s Biggest Wave winner and earned a $7,500 prize for his viral ride at Mavericks, located off the coast of Half Moon Bay, on Dec. 23. And Wilem Banks was honored for the Biggest Paddle-In Wave of 2025 for his epic ride at Jaws in Hawaii on Dec. 22.
RELATED: Santa Cruz surfer’s epic ride at Mavericks was largest of the season, but fell short of record
Both surfers, along with local legend Peter Mel, the subject of the 5 Hour Energy One Shot Photo of the Year, shot by world renowned photographer Fred Pompermayer, will be celebrated at the West Peak Sparkling Spirits Celebration at Pono Hawaiian Grill in Santa Cruz on Saturday from 3-6:30 p.m.
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In a release from West Peak Sparkling Spirits, Slebir stated: “It’s been an incredible journey. This award isn’t just for me, it’s for the whole Santa Cruz surf community and for the safety crews who made that session possible.”
Banks added, “To paddle into something that size takes more than strength — it takes trust in your training, your team, and the ocean. I’m honored to be recognized, and I’m stoked to share this moment with Santa Cruz.”
Slebir, who was towed into the winning wave by fellow charger Luca Padua of Half Moon Bay, took to social media on Monday and was a humble victor.
He spoke of his desire to surf the heralded break at young age, which was detailed in the Sentinel following his epic ride, and meeting fellow charger Luca Padua, who has become one of his best friends and tow-in partner.
“We’ve spent countless hours in the water over the last few winters, preparing for days like December 23rd,” Slebir wrote. “I want to thank Luca for the rides we’ve shared and, especially, for the wave that won us the award. I wouldn’t have ridden that wave, or many others, without his help.
“Lastly and most importantly, I’d like to thank my family and the Padua family. They are the backbone of our adventures.”
While Slebir earned one of the biggest honors Saturday, his wave didn’t earn the world record, as many anticipated.
After Slebir tamed the powerful wave on Dec. 23, surf fans went bonkers after viewing the now-viral video. One claimed that it was 108 feet, more conservative estimates had it topping 100 feet.
The World Surf League’s science team revealed Saturday that Slebir’s wave, as massive as it was, measured 76 feet.
“What they came up with kind of shocked the crowd,” said Bay Area surfing photographer Frank Quirarte, in an interview with Bay Area News Group. (Quirarte was in the water, shooting photos and video that day. His photo of Slebir’s ride earned him the “Biggest Wave Photo” award.)
Bill Sharp, who launched the New Big Wave Challenge, a resurrection of the XXL Awards, in 2023, declined comment when asked if our eyes betrayed us, in regards to wave height, when watching the video.
He said any questions regarding specific wave height should be directed to the WSL’s science team, but noted that he was happy Slebir won. He also said that he’ll be responsible for wave height measurement beginning next year.
“There was a lot of speculation,” Sharp said. “The 108-foot thing was absurd. I’m just gonna say, if you’re going to break the existing world record, which is 86 feet, you need to definitively smash it. And he didn’t. If you look at all the different angles, I’m comfortable with that.”
The official Guinness World Record (GWR) for the tallest wave surfed is held by Germany’s Sebastian Steudtner, who surfed an 86.4-foot wave in Nazaré, Portugal, on Oct. 29, 2020. (He surfed a much larger wave, measured at 93.73 feet in February of 2024 using a new drone technology, but it’s still awaiting official confirmation from the World Surf League and GWR.)
From the get-go, Slebir said he didn’t care if he broke the world record. “It’s the biggest wave of my life,” he said. “For me, it’s an awesome achievement.”
“He’s such a class act,” Sharp said, “and such a great representative of the sport, of kinda the new guard. Everyone loves him because he’s doing it for all the right reasons. Him and his buddy, Luca, those are the guys. And they will set a world record, for sure, in the next few years. Just give ’em time.”