JOY RIDE

At Red Bull Magnitude, the world’s best female big-wave surfers chase glory—and that magical, elusive feeling that only riding giant waves offers.

- JEN SEE

One Saturday morning in early January of this year, Katie McConnell pedaled her green-painted beach cruiser down to Waimea Bay, the legendary big-wave break on Oahu's North Shore. On her bike's surfboard rack, she carried her 10'0" gun, shaped by Gary Linden. When she paddled out that day, McConnell joined women from all over the world who had traveled to Waimea for the first Red Bull Magnitude session of the 2022-2023 winter.

Now in its third year, Red Bull Magnitude shines a spotlight on the fearless women who charge big waves. Unlike a traditional surf contest that's held on a single day, women competing in Magnitude can submit video clips of their waves anytime during the three-month event window. Magnitude invites surfers to demonstrate their big-wave skills at three of Hawaii's most beautiful and ferocious waves: Waimea Bay and the Outer Reefs on Oahu's North Shore, and Pe'ahi (also known as Jaws) on Maui.

This past winter, 25 women submitted 66 video clips for consideration. "I'm really stoked that Magnitude is growing and it's awesome to see more women participating," says McConnell, who won Magnitude's Rookie of the Year award in 2022. "It has definitely opened more doors for me."

Magnitude's competitors come from many different backgrounds, and while a few can surf fulltime, most work assorted jobs to fund their big-wave dreams. What they share is a love for the feeling that only riding the world's biggest waves gives them.