In the olden days, when folk used to surf waves the size of the monsters that often scuttle about our deepest subconscious, there was rarely anyone there to record it. Big wave claiming was shrouded in myth and hearsay, especially on the women’s side, but no more! For storm tracking and the internet happened and now big wave sessions are more predictable and knowable than they’ve ever been before, which rules for us the viewer as it means we can gawp at the wonder and majesty of both the waves and those who ride them.

Here’s a video of the 2014 Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards nominees (including a little clip of Anastasia Ashley from surfer girl twerking fame!) and below that is a tasty little gallery of the five surfers. Who’s getting your vote?