The Big Wave Academy Awards
This past Friday had the Industry turned out for the legendary Big Wave Awards. These awards go to the men and women who ride the biggest (both paddle and tow-in) waves of the year, all around the world. Prize money goes to both the surfer and the photographer who captures it. It's always a crazy event, watching these guys put their life in danger as they ride the waves of their lives. The place was packed, even standing room was full. Here are some of the photos of the night, with a list of winners at the bottom.
Tina Dixon (sideline reporter for such events as X-Games & the Olympics and her husband Rob Campbell (publisher of TWBusiness) were kind enough to stand in line with us as we waited for the doors to open. They're both really funny people, so it made the 30 minutes fly by.
As we were waiting, photographer Jeff Flindt stopped to chat with us. It was great to catch up, and then it was even cooler because he won two awards for the evening.
The line to get in snaked all around the side of the building.
This is Parker McNaughton (co-owner, BlackRock Digital) (left) with one of his associates, Andre Radaza. If you need some ads on your website, these guys are the ones to go to.
Tony Perez (left, the new Associate Publisher of Surfing Magazine) got Occy (right, emcee of the night) in this shot for me. In the middle is Surfing's art guy, Chenoweth, with his girl, Gilligan.
This is Rebecca Nordquist (right) with her roomie, Rachel Wislon. Rebecca's a busy woman because she's the managing editor of three newspapers--The SC Times, DP Times, and the Capistrano Dispatch.
Evan Slater (in pink), Editor of Surfing magazine with his crew. That's Bryan Ellis, senior account executive, on the far left, and the kids on the right are the new generation of the magazine's employees. So new, I don't know their names--sorry guys!
On the right here is Bob "Graffy" Graff of Graffy Inc, doing what he does best, entertaining clients. In this case it's Chris Stiepock, general manager, ESPN Orginal Entertainment - Events.
This is quite the love story--after falling in love at first site, Billabong Women's Team Manager Megan Brainard married Brazillian Homero Villa Jr. Although his English is improving, and she's learning Portuguese, they still, on occasion, turn to charades in order to have themselves understood.
We have here teenage surfing sensation Courtney Conologue with her super-mom, Tracey. Don't they look identical?
Bowen Ota, co-owner, A-Frame Photos, chats it up with Brian "Ruby" Robbins. I don't know Ruby's official title, but he works for Globe, and has been there for such a long time, that he must be the head of Team Managing and Marketing Directing.
From left to right: Bryan Ellis, Tosh Townend--one of the owners of Super Surfboards and Jye Townend, team manager and marketing director of Ocean & Earth. I shot this as these guys were heading out the door to Lake Tahoe--they were planning on competing in the Ultimate Boarder event.
The last picture of the evening. From left to right: Rob Campbell, George Covalla/ graphic designer for Circa, Bowen Ota, Big John, Herb George (he's a graphic designer who's looking for a job--giving a shout out in case you need one!) Jeff Hall/ co-owner, A-Frame Photos, Jason Murray / surf photographer who had several of his photos nominated for the Big Wave Awards, and his lovely wife, Malia.
The Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards are presented by
Monster Energy. Surfline is the official surf forecast, Verizon Wireless
is the official communications provider and Honda Aquatrax the official
watercraft. The event is sponsored by Surfing Magazine and Hawaiian
Airlines.
BILLABONG XXL RIDE OF THE YEAR AWARD
(Surfer prize $50,000 - Video prize $5,000)
1st: Shane Dorian (Kona, Hawaii, USA) at Teahupoo, Tahiti on November 1, 2007.
(Video by Gustavo Camarao)
2nd: Manoa Drollet (Tahiti, French Polynesia) at Teahupoo, Tahiti
on November 1, 2007.
3rd: Carlos Burle (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) at Ghost Tree, California on December 4, 2007.
4th: Ian Walsh (Paia, Hawaii, USA) at Teahupoo,Tahiti on November 1, 2007.
5th: Michael Brennan (Tasmania, Australia) at Shipstern Bluff, Tasmania on January 14, 2008.
WINNER BILLABONG XXL BIGGEST WAVE AWARD
(Surfer prize $15,000 and a Honda Aquatrax watercraft with HSA sled
- Photo/video prize $4,000)
Mike Parsons (
WINNER MONSTER PADDLE AWARD
(Surfer prize $15,000 - Photo/video prize $4,000)
Greg Long (San Clemente, California, USA) at Todos Santos, Mexico on December 5, 2007 (Photos by Jeff Flindt)
WINNER MONSTER TUBE PHOTO AWARD NOMINEES
(Surfer prize $5,000 - Photography prize
$2,000)
Manoa Drollet (Tahiti, French Polynesia) at Teahupoo, Tahiti on November 1, 2007. (Photo by Jeff Flindt)
WINNER BEST MALE OVERALL PERFORMANCE AWARD
(Surfer prize $5,000)
Greg Long (San Clemente, California, USA)
WINNER BILLABONG GIRLS BEST PERFORMANCE AWARD
(Surfer prize $5,000)
Maya Gabeira (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
I'm glad Greg won some awards and $$$. He deserves it. When is someone going to step up and sponsor this kid?????
Posted by: larry | April 15, 2008 at 01:51 PM