The 2013 Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards season has officially closed. And now all that’s left to do is get out the measuring sticks and try to figure out exactly who rode the biggest wave of the year so they can be presented with an award at Anaheim, California’s The Grove Theater on Friday, May 3, 2013.
“This has been yet another extraordinary year for the XXL Awards,” said Event Director Bill Sharp, “the boundaries of performance continue to be pushed back. The number of serious, successful tube rides in huge waves – especially when paddled in to instead of towed in – is completely unprecedented. Some of the entries you have to watch over and over to make sure they are real.”
To check out some of the entries click here. Or follow the jump for the official word from Billabong.NEWPORT BEACH, CA – (March 20, 2013) – Today marks the end of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, and thus the conclusion of the year-long event period of the 2013 Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards presented by Pacifico. The annual competition celebrates the best and biggest moments in the sport at every surf break in the world over the last 12 months, all based on the action being caught on camera.
The nominees in seven award categories will be revealed next week, and the awards presentation is set for Friday, May 3 at the Grove Theater in Anaheim, California in front of an invitation-only crowd of 2,000. Currently, surfing fans can decide their own favorites among hundreds of still photos and video clips now on display on the event website at www.BillabongXXL.com.
The Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards feature a variety of divisions including the $50,000 Ride of the Year, Pacifico Paddle, Pacifico Tube, XXL Biggest Wave and the XXL Wipeout of the Year. There are also “world champ” awards for the Surfline Best Overall Performance (male) and the Billabong Girls Best Performance (female). The 13th annual edition of the event features over $120,000 in cash prizes for the surfers and photographers.
Hawaii’s Kealii Mamala streaks along a big face at Nazaré, Portugal.
The leading contenders this year are indeed global in nature, with potential nominees emanating from surf sessions in locations such as Cloudbreak in Fiji, Jaws in Hawaii, the Cortes Bank off of California, the Right in Western Australia, Mullaghmore Head in Ireland and Nazaré in Portugal.
“This has been yet another extraordinary year for the XXL Awards,” said Event Director Bill Sharp, “the boundaries of performance continue to be pushed back. The number of serious, successful tube rides in huge waves – especially when paddled in to instead of towed in – is completely unprecedented. Some of the entries you have to watch over and over to make sure they are real.”
A vast assortment of video clips of from all the major big wave sessions can be accessed via www.YouTube.com/billabongxxl
Chile’s Ramon Navarro is cheered on through his tube at Cloudbreak, Fiji.
The 2013 Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards show will be televised by the ESPN Networks, airing on June 9 at Noon Pacific. The awards ceremony will be carried on a live webcast on the evening of May 3 as well.
The Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards are presented by Pacifico Beer. Pelican Products is the official provider of waterproof cases. Surfline.com is the exclusive surf forecast of the XXL. The event is sponsored by Surfing Magazine and Air Tahiti Nui airlines.
