Surfing's own oscars took place on Tuesday September 9, for the Surfer Poll and Video awards rocked up to Dana Point, Orange County, California with many of the same names winning awards for 2008 - and Nollie was there!
Slighty star struck, and quite weirded out, the mini media circus of a red carpet, Fuel (who filmed an episode for future broadcast with longboard Roxy star Kassia Meador), Boost Mobile and more camera crews gathered with blaggers, industry, groms, old timers, pros and legends came together at the The Grove to celebrate surfing's biggest stars and achievements of the year.
Jam packed with So Cal beautiful people (something to do with the perma-sun, sea and waves maybe?) it was intimidating for a pasty, podgy Brit like moi but was still exciting - especially with some old and new female surfing superstars being present for the gongs.
Voted for online by readers, fans and industry the world's current favourite female surfer - for her fifth consecutive year - was Sofia Mulanovich, who made her acceptance speech from the Billabong Girl's Pro in Rio De Janiero, including a perfectly placed Roxy t-shrt and Red Bull can. Gotta name check those sponsors....
Stephanie Gilmore, who won the Best Female Performance award for the film Somewhere, came second, and also spoke from Rio, in her friendly, optimistic, down-to earth style. Hawaiian grom turned skilled surfing amazon Carissa Moore in third for the second year - who's cute acceptance speech referenced the sky high heels she'd worn, thanking her friends and sponsors. (We also spotted her chatting dresses with Kassia before the awards too). Her best friend newcomer Coco Ho also shouted her praises when she came 5th in the polls; 16-years old and still so cute she said: "It’s an honor to be standing here with my heroes and friends.”
As for the guys, no prizes for guessing that the best surfer ever Kelly Slater - who won the Boost Mobile Pro at Trestles today - came top for the millionth year running, but made a genuine, lengthy speech thanking all those who oted but also praising ASP World Tour newcomer and ridiculously talented aerialist Dane Reynolds - who won three award on the night, running out of speeches after the first.
Dave Rastovich also won a gong - the first ever Agent Of Change award for setting up his charity Surfers for Cetaceans, which next to Surfrider’s “Save Trestles” campaign received the $16 000 from VIP table drinks sales.
Here are those results in full:
Coors Heavy Water: Ian Walsh (The Life)
Worst Wipeout: Mark Healey (The Life)
Best Tuberide: Kalani Chapman (Second To None)
Best Female Performance: Stephanie Gilmore (Somewhere)
Best Male Performance: Clay Marzo (Just Add Water)
Best Maneuver: Dane Reynolds (Dude Cruise)
Best Cinematography: Waterman
Best Documentary: Bustin’ Down the Door
Movie of The Year: Bustin’ Down the Door
Boost Breakthrough Performer: Nathaniel Curran
Photo of the Year: Scott Aichner
Agent of Change: Dave Rastovich
Breakthrough Filmmaker: Matt Beauchesne
SURFER Poll Men
1. Kelly Slater
2. Mick Fanning
3. Dane Reynolds
4. Joel Parkinson
5. Andy Irons
6. Taj Burrow
7. Bruce Irons
8. Rob Machado
9. Bobby Martinez
10. CJ Hobgood
SURFER Poll Women
1. Sofia Mulanovich
2. Stephanie Gilmore
3. Carissa Moore
4. Layne Beachley
5. Coco Ho
For more details, pic and video log onto surferpoll.com.
Images: ASP covered images