Keala Kennelly captured by Tim McKenna. - WSL / Tim McKenna

Pure Scot Barrel Winner: Keala Kennelly, Photo by Tim McKenna

In season that saw a plethora of massive barrels, fueled by a healthy El Niño, this one by Keala Kennelly, as shot by Tim McKenna at Teahupo'o, earned the top honors at the Big Wave Awards for 2016. It was a historic first win for a woman in the BWA category.

Keala Kennelly at Teahupo'o, Tahiti on July 22, 2015 (1/7). - WSL / Kirvan Baldassari

Keala Kennelly at Teahupo'o, Tahiti on July 22, 2015 (2/7). - WSL / Kirvan Baldassari

Keala Kennelly at Teahupo'o, Tahiti on July 22, 2015 (3/7). - WSL / Kirvan Baldassari

Keala Kennelly at Teahupo'o, Tahiti on July 22, 2015 (4/7). - WSL / Kirvan Baldassari

Keala Kennelly at Teahupo'o, Tahiti on July 22, 2015 (5/7). - WSL / Kirvan Baldassari

Keala Kennelly at Teahupo'o, Tahiti on July 22, 2015 (6/7). - WSL / Kirvan Baldassari

Keala Kennelly at Teahupo'o, Tahiti on July 22, 2015 (7/7). - WSL / Kirvan Baldassari

Winner: Keala Kennelly (Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA) at Teahupoo, Tahiti on July 22, 2015. (Winner: Tim McKenna. Photo nominees: Kirvan Baldassari, Brent Bielmann and Isaac Sokol)

Tom Butler (Newquay, Cornwall, England) at Mullaghmore Head, Ireland on October 28, 2015. (Photo nominee: Ian Mitchinson)

Greg Long (San Clemente, California, USA) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on December 6, 2015. (Photo nominees: Erik Aeder, Kelly Cestari, Richard Hallman, Paul Karaolides and Sofie Louca)

Mark Mathews (Maroubra, New South Wales, Australia) at The Right, Australia on June 26, 2015. (Photo nominee: Jack Sherriffs)

Ian Walsh (Haiku, Maui, Hawaii) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on January 28, 2016. (Photo nominees: Richard Hallman and Aaron Lynton)