Caption: Nominees for the Billabong XXL Ride of the Year L-R Billy Kemper, Shane Dorian, Shaun Walsh, Greg Long and Grant Baker.
Image: ASP / Richard Hallman
LOS ANGELES, CA/USA (Friday, May 2, 2014): Tonight the world’s best big wave surfers took to the red carpet for the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards in Southern California. Accolades and awards were handed out to those that have contributed to the sport over the past year including Biggest Wave, Ride of the Year and the official crowning of last season’s ASP Big Wave World Tour (BWWT) Champion, South African Grant “Twiggy” Baker.
The award winners:
2013/14 ASP Big Wave World Tour Champion: Grant “Twiggy” Baker
Tube of the Year: Koa Rothman
Billabong Women’s Best Overall Performance: Keala Kennelly
Billabong XXL Wipeout: Koa Rothman
Biggest Paddle: Mark Healey
Surfline Best Overall Performance: Grant “Twiggy” Baker
Billabong XXL Biggest Wave: Gautier Garanx
Billabong XXL Ride of the Year: Greg Long
“To win Ride of the Year is fantastic, but riding those waves it what I’m here to do,” said Greg Long. “The fear is an underlying motivator and turning the fear into something positive is what big wave surfing does for me. When you’re riding a big wave you’re so focused and it’s like time goes into slow motion.”
“All I ever wanted to do is travel and surf and that’s what this World Title means to me,” said Grant Baker. “I’m feeling more competitive than ever. I’d love to have a heat with Kelly Slater in 25 foot plus waves. He’d probably still beat me but at least I’d have a chance.”
“It’s like winning the Oscars, especially in front of all the other big wave guys,” said Keala Kennelly. “Last year I won this award, cashed the check and three days later I was in Teahupoo for a big swell. It was the first time I’d been back since my face injury there. To come back and overcome my fear and get the best wave was a huge personal triumph for me.”
“To be here is a dream,” said Gautier Garanx. “All my idols are here, the superstars, and tonight I’m with them. That wave was easily the biggest of my life.”
Photos from the event will be uploaded to this link.
2014/15 ASP Big Wave World Tour:
Southern Hemisphere (April 15, 2014 through August 31, 2014):
Punta de Lobos, Chile
Pico Alto, Peru
Dungeons, South Africa
Northern Hemisphere (October 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015):
Todos Santos, Mexico
Punta Galea, Basque Country Spain
Pe’ahi (Jaws), Maui HI
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