The world's best big wave surfers gathered in Huntington Beach tonight for the 2017 World Surf League (WSL) Big Wave Awards. The gala ceremony at the Pasea Hotel and Spa awarded the greatest rides of the past year and celebrated the tenets of the big wave community.
Billy Kemper with his Hawaiian cohorts Koa Rothman and Nathan Florence. - WSL / Jimmy Wilson
This year's event saw $350,000 in prize money allotted across the seven categories. The top prize of $75,000 went to Hawaiian Billy Kemper, who walked away with the Billabong Ride of the Year, which is the night's top honor. Meanwhile, Ben Andrews racked up $50,000 for finishing second in the Ride of the Year balloting ($30,000), and winning the Biggest Paddle category ($20,000), and Francisco Porcella racked up $40,000 for finishing third in Ride of the Year ($15,000) and winning the Tag Heuer Biggest Wave Award ($25,000). Here's a complete list of Saturday night's big heroes.
And The Winners Are...
Billabong Ride of the Year: Billy Kemper
Videographer: Etienne Aurelius
"This is a dream come true. First and foremost, I have to thank my beautiful fiancé for supporting me and giving me an amazing life with our children. Next, my sponsors, who have given me a platform to perform like this. I was just a kid from Maui, I had nothing at one point. This is all passion. I love to do this and nothing is going to stop me from this. This is for my mom."- Billy Kemper
Paddle Award: Ben Andrews
Photographer: Fred Pompermayer
Wave Size 53 feet
"I wasnt sure I'd be up here for this. All these waves look about as big as each other to me. Thanks WSL for giving me the nod...I'm proud and really honored. -- Ben Andrews
Ben Andrews - WSL / pompermayer
TAG Heuer XXL Biggest Wave Award: Francisco Porcella
Photographer: Bruno Aleixo
Wave Size: 73 feet
"It's been a long time coming to be up here tonight. I've been putting in my time but mother nature rewarded me that day. With that wave. It is a blessing to be connected to mother nature and that power, it feeds us. We feel so alive and in the moment." -- Francisco Porcella
Francisco Porcella - WSL / Adrian Wlodarczyk
Women's Best Overall Performance Award: Paige Alms
"I am honestly in disbelief. To be amongst this group of women is just insane. I am super excited to see where they take the tour next year for the women. A huge shoutout to all the women that inspire me to do my best and continue to push the level of women's surfing and to be a better person, friend and athlete." - Paige Alms
Paige Alms - WSL / JP Van Swae
Get to know Maui's incredible, home-grown Big Wave World Champ.
Surfline Men's Overall Performance Award: Jamie Mitchell
"This really is dedicated to my wife and my little baby daughter at home. Thank you to everyone here. You all inspire me and push me to chase every swell and probably the ones that I shouldn't." - Jamie Mitchell
Jamie Mitchell - WSL / Jimmy Wilson
TAG Heuer Wipeout of the Year Award: Wilem Banks
Videographer: Curt Myers
"I had no expectations of being up here. This is the most people I've ever spoken in front of, so another fear to get over…I hope I'm never here again." - Wilem Banks
Tube of the Year Award: Shanan Worrall
Photographer: Jamie Scott
"Thanks Jamie Scott who took that photos, that's probably just lucky, because everyone got good waves that day." - Shanan Worrall
Shanan Worrall - WSL / Adrian Wlodarczyk
Shannon Worrall - WSL / Jimmy wilson
Hawaii's Billy Kemper Claims Top Honor at WSL Big Wave Awards
WSL
The world's best big wave surfers gathered in Huntington Beach tonight for the 2017 World Surf League (WSL) Big Wave Awards. The gala ceremony at the Pasea Hotel and Spa awarded the greatest rides of the past year and celebrated the tenets of the big wave community.
Billy Kemper with his Hawaiian cohorts Koa Rothman and Nathan Florence. - WSL / Jimmy WilsonThis year's event saw $350,000 in prize money allotted across the seven categories. The top prize of $75,000 went to Hawaiian Billy Kemper, who walked away with the Billabong Ride of the Year, which is the night's top honor. Meanwhile, Ben Andrews racked up $50,000 for finishing second in the Ride of the Year balloting ($30,000), and winning the Biggest Paddle category ($20,000), and Francisco Porcella racked up $40,000 for finishing third in Ride of the Year ($15,000) and winning the Tag Heuer Biggest Wave Award ($25,000). Here's a complete list of Saturday night's big heroes.
And The Winners Are...
Billabong Ride of the Year: Billy Kemper
Videographer: Etienne Aurelius
Paddle Award: Ben Andrews
Ben Andrews - WSL / pompermayerPhotographer: Fred Pompermayer
Wave Size 53 feet
TAG Heuer XXL Biggest Wave Award: Francisco Porcella
Francisco Porcella - WSL / Adrian WlodarczykPhotographer: Bruno Aleixo
Wave Size: 73 feet
Women's Best Overall Performance Award: Paige Alms
Paige Alms - WSL / JP Van SwaeSurfline Men's Overall Performance Award: Jamie Mitchell
Jamie Mitchell - WSL / Jimmy WilsonTAG Heuer Wipeout of the Year Award: Wilem Banks
Videographer: Curt Myers
Tube of the Year Award: Shanan Worrall
Shanan Worrall - WSL / Adrian WlodarczykPhotographer: Jamie Scott
News
The 18-year-old Luke Tema rose to the occasion at Sunset Beach and now prepares for another formidable field once more.
No stranger to righthanders with his WSL Longboard Tour experience, Kaniela Stewart now awaits the first WSL Longboard Regional QS on the
Natalia Wunderlich earned her spot on the 2024 WSL Longboard Tour courtesy of this 9-point ride and now looks to push it on the North Shore
From a pair of 10-point rides courtesy of Kepa Mendia and Cannon Carr in the same heat to Taro Watanabe's 9.57, Day 2 was stacked.
Just when Day 2 was wrapping up from an action-packed Round of 64, Kepa Mendia and Cannon Carr closed it out with Perfect 10s to rattle