Maui Surfer Paige Alms Nominated for ESPY Award

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By Maui Now Staff

Local big-wave surfer Paige Alms was nominated for an ESPY award today in the Best Female Action Sports Athlete category.

“It’s an incredible honor to be nominated for this award alongside the top action sports athletes and the biggest names from every sport,” said Alms in a statement. “I was fortunate to grow up in Hawai‘i surrounded by some of the best waves in the world and I’m so humbled to represent our state and our big-wave surfers at the ESPYs.”

Airing on July 15, the ESPY awards gathers top celebrities from sports and entertainment to commemorate the past year in sports by recognizing major sports achievements and saluting the leading performers and performances.

“This nomination is bigger than me – it’s about a growing field of women, often unnoticed, who charge big waves and are charting the future for our sport. And it’s about what is possible when you work hard, reach higher, and chase your dreams,” said Alms.

In January, Alms became the first woman to get barreled at Peʻahi (“Jaws”), Maui, one of the biggest and most intimidating waves in the world.

She was recognized in May with the XXL’s Women’s Best Performance Award. Alms is also the subject of The Wave I Ride, a new documentary which premiered at the Maui Film Festival on June 7, 2015. The trailer may be viewed here.

Alms joins Marcus Mariota (who was nominated in the Best Male College Athlete category) as Hawai‘i’s only ESPY nominees. Votes may be cast for nominees until July 15, 2015 at ESPN.

Maui big-wave surfer Paige Alms. Maui Now image.