Hawaii Produces Last-Minute Entries in '07 Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards
With less that
a week remaining in the annual event period for the Billabong XXL Global
Big Wave Awards presented by Monster Energy, Hawaii has just experienced
a wild late-season swell producing shocking last-minute entries. While
the overall Hawaiian season has been one of the worst in memory for
extreme wave heights, a sudden burst of swell hit Oahu late in the
afternoon on March 13, just ahead of a menacing storm front. A small
group of top big wave riders were on hand to ride a few waves at Outer
Log Cabins, a legendary, rarely-seen offshore reef between Pipeline and
Waimea Bay.
North Shore stalwarts Dave Wassel and Garrett McNamara rode some of the
biggest waves seen in Oahu in years and -- despite the challenging
conditions -- photographers Allen Mozo and Daniel Russo did their best
to document the extraordinary rides before darkness and the storm
arrived. See the event website at BillabongXXL.com to view the latest
entries from Hawaii -- and elsewhere around the globe.
The unusual swell episode comes in the waning moments of the XXL event
period, which closes out each year with the arrival of Spring (coming at
12:08 GMT on March 21). The Hawaii entries join the biggest waves seen
all year in regions as diverse as South Africa, Western Australia,
Tahiti, Spain and Mexico. The Seventh Annual Billabong XXL Global Big
Wave Awards gala ceremony and party takes place on April 13, 2007 at the
Grove Theatre in Anaheim, California and will be webcast worldwide. Over
$116,000 in prize money will be awarded to the top big wave riders of
the last year.
The award nominees are being narrowed down and will be announced
starting next week. Categories include:
Billabong XXL Ride of the Year Award
(Greatest big wave performance on a single wave as captured on video and
voted by large judging academy)
Surfer Prize: $50,000 * 4 Runner-up nominees Award: $1500 * Videographer
Prize: $5000
Billabong XXL Biggest Wave Award
(Biggest tow-in wave ridden based on available images showing maximum
face height) * Surfer Prize: $15,000 * Photo prize: $4000
Monster Paddle Award
(Biggest paddle-in wave ridden based on available images showing maximum
face height) * Surfer Prize: $15,000 * Photo prize: $4000
Monster Tube Award
(Best big-wave tube based on votes of large judging academy) * Surfer
Prize: $5000 * Photo Prize: $2000
Surfline Men's Best Overall Performance Award
(Best year-long big wave performance at a variety of spots as voted by
large judging academy) * Surfer Prize: $5000
Billabong Girl's Best Overall Performance Award
(Best year-long big wave performance at a variety of spots as voted by
large judging academy) * Surfer Prize: $5000
The Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards are presented by Monster Energy
Drinks. Surfline.com is the official surf forecast of the XXL and
Verizon Wireless is the official communications provider. Supporting
sponsors include Hawaiian Airlines and Surfing Magazine.
BACK TO HOME
|
|
HAWAII
