The event will take place over a three-month waiting period in 2025, ensuring surfers have the best possible conditions to demonstrate their skills on waves that could reach 60 feet. The *Rebel Sessions* has always been about rewarding the guts and glory of big wave surfing in a ‘free surfing’ format. True to those roots, Rebel Sessions will celebrate big-wave surfing in its rawest form, with six award categories up for grabs.

The 2025 edition will also coincide with *Rebel Media*’s 30th anniversary, marking three decades of pushing the boundaries in extreme sports. As part of their ongoing commitment to the surfing community.

“Rebel is bringing Rebel Sessions back to life in 2025 to give the local South African chargers a chance to shine at Africa’s best big wave spots, explained Rebel CEO and Zigzag publisher, Christian Herles.”

Rebel Media will be partnering with the Big Wave Alliance, founded by Gary Linden, to foster the next generation of big wave surfers and further challenge the norms of competitive surfing.

“Tying up Rebel Sessions with the Big Wave Alliance allows us to nominate a participant to the Big Wave World Championship event in 2025 and 2026, which gives the local Big Wave community another chance to demonstrate their skills and commitment on the international scene” – Big Wave Alliance Founder Gary Linden

“Having initiated the Big Wave Alliance world tour this year it’s perfect timing that rebel sessions is returning to the fold,” commented Linden. “Dungeons is such an epic wave and a BWWT without a champion from Dungeons just doesn’t seem worthy,” he added, explaining how stoked he is to have Dungeons represent for Cape Town and South Africa. “I’m looking forward to having an epic event.”

“On behalf of the Big Wave Trust, we’re excited to reignite the energy and get people back out at Dungeons and Sunset. There’s been a noticeable decline in surfers, especially at Dungeons, and we want to bring the excitement back,” added Matthew Bromley, Chairman of the Big Wave Trust.

“Many of the core surfers who once led the charge have stepped back and we’re hoping to create a resurgence and revive the vibe around Dungeons,” he said, before adding: “Personally, I’m thrilled to see more activity at both Sunset and Dungeons. Just the other day, there were 25-foot waves at Dungeons, and it looked like Jaws—yet not a single boat or photographer was out there. Having a team out there to capture these moments—and with safety teams in place—it’s going to allow us to push harder than ever. It’s really exciting,” he said.

In addition to relaunching Rebel Sessions, Rebel Media recently became the new publisher of Zigzag Surfing Magazine, South Africa’s premier surfing publication. With nearly 50 years of documenting the South African surf scene, Zigzag will now benefit from Rebel Media’s extensive experience and resources in niche sports publishing as well as event production.

For more information about *Rebel Sessions* or media inquiries, please contact:

Prices

Best Wave of the Winter:

1st place – R50 000
2nd place – R30 000
3rd place – R20 000

Additional Prices

Standout Junior: R30 000
Gnarliest Wipeout: R25 000
Best Film Moment: R25 000
Best Photo: R25 000