From the year’s best XXL barrels, the biggest waves to the wooliest paddle-ins, it’d be an understatement to say this year has been a doozy. A mid-Hercules-Belharra-sized understatement. The roller coaster of emotions these videos may elicit gives you a sense for how wild it’s been thus far. These nominees have dialed in some skyscraper-tall waves and have also taken lickings at the same spots. Sometimes in the same day. These photos encapsulate the best of the year’s best.