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
Carissa Moore Wins Gidget Pro
Carissa Moore attacked the waves at Sunset Beach with amazing poise throughout the Gidget Pro to eventually win on her home Island of Oahu. The final day of the contest with the world’s finest female surfers was run in solid 10 to 18 foot surf at Sunset Beach. In preparation for the North Shore season, Moore started training with big-wave surfers Pancho Sullivan and Myles Padaca. They held surf sessions in virtually every type of condition to prepare her for big waves at Sunset Beach.
Moore clinched the four-woman final when she completed a free-fall drop down a 15-foot wave face, then managed to maneuver her board back up the wave for a big carve off the top, and score of 7.57 (out of 10). Moore’s two-wave total of 14.24 was enough to win. Other top finishers on this second stop of the prestigious Vans Triple Crown were Sally Fitzgibbons of Australia in second with 13.07, Stephanie Gilmore of Australia in third with 12.17, and Alana Blanchard of Kaua’i was fourth with 11.17.
“It’s such an honor,” Carissa said. “I’m speechless right now. I never thought that I would make the Final in this event. All of the girls were surfing so well and congratulations to Steph (Gilmore) for winning the World Title.” Last year, Moore became the youngest surfer to win a Triple Crown of Surfing event when she won the Hawaiian Pro at Hale’iwa Ali’i Beach. Next year, she will become an official member on the ASP Women’s Tour for her first full season.
