2024 SURFER Big Wave Challenge Women’s Biggest Wave Nominees

After waving goodbye to the jetski, Joana Andrade, Michelle des Bouillons and Laura Crane all went left at Nazaré last winter, and all have a shot to win the 2024 SURFER Big Wave Challenge Women’s Biggest Wave award. All rode similar-sized peaks to the channel, and it’s difficult to say with certainty who copped the biggest drop. That’s what the judges are for. For now, let's review each entry and tip the cap to these women.

Joana Andrade made history as the first woman to tow Nazaré, and she’ll make headlines again in 2024 if she is named Biggest Wave winner in October. Standing a hair over 5 feet tall, Joana’s story about overcoming personal trauma and the natural fear that comes with the wave was captured in the 2022 documentary Big Vs. Small . At age 44, Joana already has a remarkable story, and this ride she caught in January could be another yet another chapter.

Related: Meet the Woman Who Pioneered Nazaré

Michelle des Bouillons has quietly been working her way up the Nazaré ladder for years. The French-born, Brazilian-raised surfer has towed there off and on for seven seasons and now works with her partner Ian Cosenza to get the rides of her life. After getting runner-up in the 2024 Tudor Nazaré Challenge, this may be Michelle’s time atop the podium.

Related: A Brazilian Surfer's Honest Take of Nazaré Crowds, Wipeouts and Rise of Women's Surfing

After three months of training in 2023, Laura Crane got her first crack at proper Nazaré in early December. Backed by former CT surfer and Nazaré stalwart Eric Rebiere, Laura bided her time on the ski before her partner picked her up. Before she knew it, she was on the biggest left of her life and even got off a check turn to stay in the pocket. “That wave meant more to me than anything in my career,” Laura reflected. “I felt a lot of pride, all the work I had put in paid off and the feeling of smashing that glass ceiling I had over me.”

Related: Laura Crane Gets the Wave of Her Life at Nazaré