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Zoe Chait

@zoe__chait

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Half Moon Bay, CA
@oneillusa @oneillwomens @sharpeyesurfboards @norcalsurfshop @humesupernatural
@veiasupplies

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For those who don’t know Zoe Chait, she’s not only an incredible friend and fellow Half Moon Bay lifeguard, but also one of the most talented and driven big wave surfers out there. Zoe has dedicated her life to chasing some of the biggest waves in the world, and we truly believe she has what it takes to become one of the greatest big wave surfers and water woman of all time. With a potentially historic El Niño winter ahead, we want to help Zoe make the most of every opportunity to chase massive swells, train, and continue making a name for herself in the big wave surfing world. Our HMB lifeguard family originally came together to help fund a custom quiver of big wave boards shaped by Nef at Homegrown Surfboards, and now we’re opening this fundraiser to everyone who wants to be part of Zoe’s journey! Zoe would never ever ask for this money herself and so we came together @homegrownsurfboards and @hmb_statelifeguards to make sure she’s able to have the ability to really give it her all this year. We will make sure that every dollar raised goes directly into helping support Zoe’s equipment, travel expenses, and pursuit of her dreams. Whether it’s $5, $20, or simply sharing this post, every bit of support means the world. Zoe has always been someone who shows up for the people around her. Now it’s our turn to show up for her and make her dreams achievable.

The link to the support now is
https://www.supportnow.org/zoe-chait

IT’S AlSO IN MY BIO⬆️

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Thank you to real life super woman @zoe__chait for coming to share your knowledge and surf stories with @girlgromsurfclub

In case you missed it, Zoe Chait is a CA State Park Lifeguard who has received a Lifesaving Award for a heroic rescue in Half Moon Bay and she is also a big wave surfer that won Biggest Paddle in Wave at the 2026 Big Wave Challenge Awards. She is 20 years old and is helping pave the way for more women to follow their dreams in the surfing and lifesaving world! Go follow her and cheer her on as she moves back up north to chase some big waves!

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May 10–14, 2026. Manzanillo & Pascuales, Colima, Mexico.

After everything I’d heard about Colima, I was genuinely nervous about riding through Manzanillo and Tecomán, where I’d been warned too many times to be careful.

Oddly enough, I found myself with an unexpected cycling escort into Manzanillo. Despite the surf shop being boarded up and the beach being deserted for the weekend, it was still a hangout for the local surfers.

The next morning, I got lost behind the port at 6 a.m. and had a pretty terrifying ride through an endless stream of semis and construction before finally making my way toward Pascuales.

And somehow, waiting for me there was Gustavo, a friend from surfing Four Mile back in Santa Cruz, who happened to be running a restaurant right in front of the wave. An incredible cook, he welcomed me like family and invited me to their Mother’s Day celebration. His fillete relleno was easily one of the top three things I’ve eaten on this entire trip, a true highlight-of-Mexico-level meal.

To top it off, I ran into Zealand and Zoe, also from Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay, and met a funny bunch from the Newport Wedge crew. Two days of fun surf for me, followed by a third day of watching Pascuales do its thing well beyond my ability.

The video of the wave pumping is also the biggest barrel I think I’ve ever seen in person—and it was ridden by Zoe Chaits, a 20-year-old woman. Blew my mind.

It felt good to make it out of this one not only on a high note, but with my boards, body, and bike intact.

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Women’s Biggest Paddle 🏆
Winner, @zoe__chait
In Todos Santos, Mexico
Video by @thrilleratkillers
Thumbnail by @richardhallman_photo

This Big Wave Challenge season brought to you by @aquamarseafood and @surfer_magazine

Edit by @elleadamssmedia

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Some of the best big wave days we’ve ever seen came during big El Niño winters. Those days stick with you. The wait, the risk, and then that one perfect set pouring through. Can’t wait for what’s next, but safety first, always.
Leave your thoughts ⚡️

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They ride giants. Their stories go deeper. 🌊
Meet Michelle des Bouillons, Izzi Gomez, Zoe Chait and Justine Dupont — the four female winners of the 2026 Big Wave Challenge.
Whose story should we dive into next? 👇
Follow @surflikeagirl.club for the waves, the women and the stories behind them.

#BigWaveSurfing #WomenWhoSurf #BigWaveChallenge #SurfLikeAGirl

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Honored to co-host the Big Wave Awards last weekend in California with @sharpxxl at the @lidotheaternewportbeach! 🏆 The @bigwavechallenge brought the bravest watermen and waterwomen together to celebrate the Biggest Wave, Paddle Award, Ride of the Year, Worst Wipeout, and Performance of the Year. We also awarded a Young Gun award and Videographer of the Year, in addition to tributes to legends of surf photography. Mahalo to everyone that came out to celebrate this inspiring sport, and to @aquamarseafood for all their support.

Watch the full show now on YouTube, link in bio!
#bigwavesurfing #bigwavechallenge

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Being a big-wave surfer is hard. There’s barely any money in it. The waves are scary AF. The consequences are real. And for women, it’s historically been a very male dominated space.

So why do we do it? Because we love it.

We do it to explore possibility. To find out what we’re capable of. To keep chasing that feeling we had when we first learned to surf, when something felt impossible…until suddenly, we did it.

And thankfully, the sport is evolving. There are more women in the water, and more men cheering us on.

Last night, my mentee @zoe__chait won the Women’s Biggest Paddle Award 🥇

Five years ago, I remember surfing Ocean Beach with Zoe when she was afraid out there. Now she’s literally at the top of the game 🔥

I still want to play the game and find out what’s possible for me 😉 BUT the COOLEST part of doing this for a long time is getting to help someone else discover what’s possible for them too.

And watching Zoe do exactly that…so f*cking cool. Pics by @richardhallman_photo and me 🤙🌊

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Another Legendary Night celebrating the Legends of Big Wave Surfing 🌊🏄‍♀️🏆 at the 2026 Big Wave Awards @bigwavechallenge brought to you by @aquamarseafood 🙏🏽👌🥳

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Obviamente uno siempre quiere ganar, pero no surfeo para eso. Lo hago por amor, instinto y siempre con el corazón ❤️

Este año fue así para mí en @bigwavechallenge
TOP 3 SURFER OF THE YEAR y TOP 3 WOMEN’S BIGGEST PADDLE WAVE. Feliz de estar en dos finales y en la más importante!
Es un gran honor representar a mi país en la comunidad global del big wave surfing. Felicidades a todos los ganadores y nominados, son una gran inspiración!

Empecé a surfear olas grandes en el 2021, y estos casi 6 años han sido mucho más de lo que podría haber imaginado! Algunos de mis sueños se han ido cumpliendo, con mucho esfuerzo, perseverancia, fé y amor.

Crecí mirando los videos de todos pensando que estaban locos jaja y mi primer año en este mundo realmente estuve obsesionada viendo las olas de @justinedupont33 y @bigwavebianca ❤️‍🔥 Hoy viendo estas fotos me doy cuenta que ya soy parte del surf femenino de olas grandes a nivel mundial 🙏🏽 es un sueño hecho realidad y son todas mujeres increíbles! espero que cada vez seamos más !

Gracias a todos los que me apoyan siempre, a mi familia, amigos, mi @martin_fuenzalida que siempre cree en mi, mamita, Mati y papá @cipres_surfboards por hacerme las mejores tablas con tanta dedicación.

Y muchas gracias a mis auspiciadores por el apoyo para seguir mis metas ! En especial a @redbullcl por ayudarme a estar aquí hoy 🪽

Agradecer al mar por tantos momentos inolvidables. No puedo esperar a ver que traerá la próxima temporada #elniño

vamos x más olitassss

📸 @richardhallman_photo

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Next meet up is September 30th at 4pm at San Onofre State Beach. We will have a very special guest ❤️ so don’t miss out!

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9/7/26 - Supergirl Pro VB

Some of Many
@supergirlpro
@wsl.qs

#surfphotography
#surf
#surfing

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