Surfer Poll Awards 2011
Surfer magazine honored the Top 10 men and Top 5 women (voted by fans) as well as Movie of the Year, Best Barrel, and other top performances of 2011.
In the Men’s category, Kelly Slater took home his 17th No. 1 award. Following Kelly was Dane Reynolds, Owen Wright, Julian Wilson, Taj Burrow, Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, Jordy Smith, Andy Irons, and Bruce Irons.
On the Women’s side Carissa Moore took the No. 1 spot. Rounding out the rest of the top five was Coco Ho, Stephanie Gilmore, Alana Blanchard, and Sally Fitzgibbons.
2011 SURFER Poll Results
Top 10 Men
1. Kelly Slater
2. Dane Reynolds
3. Owen Wright
4. Julian Wilson
5. Taj Burrow
6. Mick Fanning
7. Joel Parkinson
8. Jordy Smith
9. Andy Irons
10. Bruce Irons
Top 5 Women
1. Carissa Moore
2. Coco Ho
3. Stephanie Gilmore
4. Alana Blanchard
5. Sally Fitzgibbons
Andy Irons Breakthrough Performer – John John Florence
Movie of the Year – Year Zero
Best Documentary – Splinters
Best Cinematography – Come Hell or High Water
Best Performance – Josh Kerr, for Kerrazy Kronicles
Heavy Water – Nathan Fletcher, for Teahupoo Uncut, Get-N-Classic, Rumors
Best Barrel – Alex Gray, for Teahupoo Uncut
Worst Wipeout – Rodrigo Koxa, for Teahupoo Uncut
Best Digital Short – Lost Interest
The Eddie Opening Ceremony 2011
The opening ceremony for the Eddie Aikau surfing contest marks the beginning of the holding period for the world’s most prestigious big-wave invitational surfing event. About 50 big wave surfers formed a circle in the water and paid tribute to legendary 1960s and ‘70s Hawaiian surfer and North Shore lifeguard Eddie Aikau. The invitation-only one-day professional contest is held when waves at Waimea Bay are seriously big. Wave heights must exceed a minimum 20-foot threshold.
It’s a rare international sporting event that can have no set date, be held just eight times in a span of 27 years, and still gain strength. But the lifeblood of the big wave Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau lies in what one man’s life represented: the best that surfing and Hawaii have to offer the world. The story of Eddie Aikau, a Hawaiian hero who saved and inspired lives as Waimea Bay’s resident lifeguard and big wave charger, continues to touch generations. Hawaiian kahu (priest) Billy Mitchell said, “Eddie had a passion. He had a passion about living and loving the ocean. Whether you surf or you don’t surf, you are drawn to people like Eddie in life. People with big mana (spirit). We have to remember, and we cannot forget, someone who lived this way. Eddie never left people behind. It was his way. We need that in this life, especially now. It’s a way to surf; it’s a way to live.”
The holding period for the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau starts December 1st, and runs through to February 29, 2012. The defending champion is California’s Greg Long. Past champions are Denton Miyamura (Hawaii), Keone Downing (Hawaii), Clyde Aikau (Hawaii), Noah Johnson (Hawaii), Ross Clarke-Jones (Australia), Kelly Slater (USA), and Bruce Irons (Hawaii).
John Florence Wins World Cup Of Surfing 2011
Hawaii’s John John Florence, who surfed in his first Triple Crown event at age 12, realized his childhood dream by winning the Vans World Cup at Sunset Beach. In the final, Florence led a spectacular tube-riding battle in perfect 10-foot surf against Michel Bourez (Tahiti, 2nd), Adam Melling (Australia, 3rd), and Hank Gaskell (Maui, 4th). His two-wave heat total of 17 points (9.5, 7.5) eclipsed the field. Sunset turned on like a giant wave machine, pumping out a succession of rides that saw every finalist get barreled. But Florence’s performance was astounding as he seemingly picked off waves at will with every one of them offering an impossible amount of tube time.
John John placed fifth two weeks ago at Haleiwa, and takes the lead on the coveted Vans Triple Crown. The Billabong Pipe Masters will get underway on December 8. “This is my first 6 star Prime win, it’s at home, it’s one of my home breaks and all my family and friends are here, so it’s one of the best moments of my life, for sure. It means everything. I’ve watched these guys since I was so little growing up here and coming to events when I was six years old, getting their autographs. I’m having fun, I surf for a living and that’s a dream in itself.”
Florence, who joined the World Tour for the first time just a few months ago, is a favorite at his home break at the next contest, the Billabong Pipe Masters. He’s already won two contests at the Pipeline this year, and probably knows the break as well as (or better) than most of the best surfers in the world. “I can’t wait for Pipe,” he said. “If I won that, I don’t even know what I’d say.”
Finals:
1st – John John Florence (HAW) 17.00 pts
2nd – Michel Bourez (PYF) 12.30 pts
3rd – Adam Melling (AUS) 11.96 pts
4th – Hank Gaskell (HAW) 11.53 pts
