Gallery: Big Wave Women Take On Hawaii Outer Reef In Red Bull Magnitude

Showcasing the commitment of some of the hardest charging women in the world, highlights from a solid day on the Oahu's North Shore.

Author:
Jake Howard
Updated:
Mar 10, 2024 3:26 PM EDT
Original:
Mar 9, 2024

Photos: 2024 Red Bull Magnitude

Big waves, bigger performances. Now in its fourth iteration, this winter the Red Bull Magnitude, a specialty big-wave event, got underway with 24 of the top female big-wave surfers on the planet. With an event window running from January through February, the unique format is based on video submissions and puts the focus on Waimea Bay, Oahu’s Outer Reefs and Peah’i on Maui. Per Red Bull’s description, “film and safety crews will be provided at the three designated big-wave breaks on ‘Green Lit’ days.” The waiting period has now closed and it's in the hands of the judges. Before the winners are announced, here are a few photos from one special day at an outer reef on Oahu's North Shore.

Surfer: Emi Erickson

Emi Erickson in Hawaii at the Red Bull Magnitude women's big wave event. — Christina Funk / Red Bull Content Pool

The contest window for Red Bull Magnitude kicked off on January 1, 2024, and ran through February 29, 2024. At the end of January, a solid northwest swell hit the North Shore of Oahu, giving competitors an opportunity to score some large, outer-reef surf. There are eight different award categories and a $50,000 prize purse, and with the event window now closed, there are some of the women that paddled hard, threw themselves over the ledge and changed the game.

Surfer: Skylar Lickle

Skylar Lickle in Hawaii at the Red Bull Magnitude women's big wave event. — Christina Funk / Red Bull Content Pool

There were 24 women in the event this year, including Maui's Skylar LIckle (pictured here). A rising star on the big-wave scene, her father, along with Laird Hamilton and the "Strapt" crew, was one of the pioneers of at Jaws, or Peah'i, back in the 1990s. Keeping the family tradition going, she had a great winter riding some really big waves.

Surfer: Raquel Heckert

Raquel Heckert in Hawaii at the Red Bull Magnitude women's big wave event. — Christina Funk / Red Bull Content Pool

Raised in Brazil, living in Hawaii, Raquel Heckert has dedicated her life to the big-wave pursuit. Chasing swells, island hoping around the Pacific, making sacrifices to be in the right place at the right time, it's taken a lot of dedication and sacrifice to get to where she's at, but it's moments like these out in the open ocean that make it all worth while for here.

Surfer: Dominique Charrier

Dominique Charrier in Hawaii at the Red Bull Magnitude women's big wave event. — Christina Funk / Red Bull Content Pool

Hailing from Chile, Dominique Charrier is part of a large international contingent in the Red Bull Magnitude event. With a lot of raw, South Pacific swell, exposed setups and a battle-tested big-wave tradition in her country, she's proved that you don't have to call Hawaii home to be a contender.

Surfer: Emi Erickson

"Big wave surfing continues to explore new frontiers that are only possible when resources exist to support the pursuit. Red Bull’s belief and investment in the growth and development of women’s big-wave riding is exemplary. I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to play a small part in this history-making event that is dedicated to women." - Jodi (Wilmott) Young, Red Bull Magnitude Competition Director

Surfer: Silvia Nabuco

Silvia Nabuco in Hawaii at the Red Bull Magnitude women's big wave event. — Christina Funk / Red Bull Content Pool

A woman of profound athletic talent, Silvia Nabuco is a champion runner, cyclist, windsurfer, and of course, big-wave surfing. Another surfer from Brazil, "I found surfing later in my life," she explains. "Curiously, I discovered that surfing was my real passion, specially when the waves get really big."

Surfer: Bianca Valenti

Bianca Valenti in Hawaii at the Red Bull Magnitude women's big wave event. — Christina Funk / Red Bull Content Pool

One of the matriarchs of the women's big-wave surfing movement, from Jaws, to Maverick's, to Todos Santos, Bianca Valenti has committed her life to not just surfing big waves, but also making them more accessible to other women interested in challenging the ocean. From water safety innovations to participating in events like the Red Bull Magnitude, she's a surf to many for good reason.

Surfer: Sarah Neukomm

Sarah Neukomm in Hawaii at the Red Bull Magnitude women's big wave event. — Christina Funk / Red Bull Content Pool

There aren't a lot of big-wave surfers from Switzerland. Sarah Neukomm is one of them. Learning to surf in 2016, she's let her passion for the sport take her to places she could have never dreamed. Less than 10 years into the game and she's already riding some of the biggest waves on the planet.

Surfer: Emi Erickson

With the holding period in the books, it's now time to start judging the Red Bull Magnitude. That responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Rochelle Ballard (Head Judge), Ian Walsh, Kai Lenny, Andrea Moller and Megan Abubo. A lot riding on their decisions, the overall champion wins $20,000.