Aloha from the Big Wave Challenge.  

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Mahalo for joining us at the 13th annual Big Wave Challenge, hosted by legendary Big Wave Surfer Gerry Lopez. It was an event to remember! We welcome competitors from ages 6 to 69, with snowboarders traveling from as far away as Chile and Japan to join us for this legendary event. Without you all coming out like you have, we couldn’t have the Big Wave Challenge…so thank YOU! 

Photo: Jon Tapper

10T6028 2 1024x683 - Aloha from the Big Wave Challenge.  

We couldn’t have asked for better conditions with a powder prelude giving way to a sun drenched day of competition. Thank you all for making this event truly memorable. And congratulations to all our winners below! 

2025 Big Wave Challenge Results:

 Wahine (Women’s Open 17–39)

1. Sarka Pancochova

2. Janessa Bork

3. Rel Friedman

Kane (Men’s open 17–39)

1. Dru Brownrigg 

2. Nate Jacobson

3. Aari Howarth

Surfers

1. Jason Slezack

2. Kenneth Butterfield

3. Hub Hubbard

Makule (Over 40)

1. Chauncey Sorenson

2. Forrest Devore

3. Clayton Mattson

Keiki Boys (Groms 16 & Under)

1. Hampton Coon 

2. Stian Sharp

3. Quinn Murray 

Keiki Girls (Groms 16 & Under)

1. Leena Valleton

2. Mila Sheidenberger 

3. Goldi Fristrom

Best 360 Carve: Sonja Mijatovic

Most Powerful: Temma Tamai

Best Layback: Griffin Biancucci

Best Slash: Nathan Metzler 

Having the Most Fun: Carol Carson aka “Ski Mum”

Best Carve: Kazushige Fujita

Best Flow: Sicily Billelo

Most Aloha: Aisea & Owen Mekkers 

Fan Favorite: Eddy Fristrom 

Best lip maneuver: Van Allen 

Some of our favorite moments included:

  • This winter at Mt. Bachelor has been one for the books with 430” of snowfall and a 138” base depth. Terrain Park Manager Alex Storjohann took full advantage, sculpting some of the biggest, flowing snowy waves to date. This was a massive build that set a new high bar for the Big Wave Challenge course! 
  • The Big Wave Challenge was a giant party both on the hill and off. We were thrilled to have everyone join us for the Luau and après at the LOGE following Friday’s practice, and we wrapped up the event with a packed house at the Volcanic Theatre Pub. A huge mahalo to our competitors and the Mt. Bachelor and Bend communities for making this year’s event so special. We honored close friends by donating registration and online auction proceeds to Pat Malendoski and Michele Schnake—integral members of our BWC family who are battling some big sets but continue to inspire all of us as they keep paddling! We love you both. 
  • We saw some familiar faces on top of the podium at the 2025 Big Wave Challenge—Mt. Bachelor’s own Dru Brownrigg and Hampton Coon defended their 2024 titles, with Dru once again taking the win in the Men’s Open and Hampton claiming first in the Keiki Boys division. Leena Valleton made history as the first-ever winner of the new Keiki Girls division, and pro snowboarder Sarka Pancochova added a Big Wave Challenge trophy to her collection, fresh off her third-place finish at the 2025 Natural Selection Tour.

A big thank you goes out to this year’s Big Wave Challenge sponsors including Mt. Bachelor, Patagonia, YETI, Deschutes Brewery, Sun Bum, Volcom, Rainbow Sandals, LOGE, Sticky Bumps, Zeal Optics, Tognar, Dakine, Stealth Backcountry, Waco Surf, SnoPlanks, Wild Mike’s Pizza, Firewire Surfboards, Karakoram, North Drinkware, Lib Technologies, Gentemstick, XTRATUF, Solento Organic Tequila, Gnarly Nutrition, Cubicle, Laird Superfood, and Active Skin Repair. 

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