- WSL / Brent Bielmann
- WSL / Brent Bielmann
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The 2016 nominees for the Billabong Ride of the Year are Shane Dorian at Jaws, Nathan Florence at Teahupo'o (video by Tim Bonython), Tyler Larronde at Maverick's (video by Josh Pomer) and Albee Layer at Jaws (video by Elliot Leboe). Shane Dorian is nominated twice (one video by Ryan Moss from December 6, on video by Dan Norkunas from February 10).

The 2015/2016 El Nino season made this year's Big Wave Awards one of the most competitive. Nearly 1,600 submissions were accumulated and reviewed, making these nominees true super stars in a year full of jaw-dropping rides.

The elite class of nominees will be announced over the next two weeks. Today, awards organizers released the nominees for Billabong Ride of the Year, Paddle, TAG Heuer Biggest Wave and the Pure Scot Barrel of the Year. So without further ado...

Billabong Ride of the Year

Awarded to the individual surfer who demonstrates the most advanced and committed level of big wave surfing during a successful ride, as judged by available video-footage.
Surfer Prize: $93,000 - Videographer Prize: $9,000)

Paddle Award

Awarded to the surfer who paddles into and successfully rides the biggest wave of the year.
Surfer Prize: $25,000 - Photographer Prize: $5,000

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The 2016 nominees for the Paddle Award are Ben Andrews at Maverick's (photos by Fred Pompermayer and Frank Quirarte; video by Larry Haynes), Pedro Calado at Jaws (photos by 808Photo.me, Brent Bielmann, Brian Bielmann, Wangdu Hovey and Tom Servais; video by Dan Norkunas), Aaron Gold at Jaws (photos by 808Photo.me, Brent Bielmann, Brent Broza, Aaron Lynton and Fred Pompermayer; video by Elliot Leboe., Mark Healey at Puerto Escondido (photos by Nikki Brooks, Ben DeCamp, Astrid Fonseca and Edwin Morales; video by Jaciel Santiago) and Manny Resano at Maverick's (photos by Sachi Cunningham, Benjamin Ginsberg and Frank Quirarte; video by Rafael Sauro).

TAG Heuer Biggest Wave

Awarded to the surfer who, by any means available, catches and successfully rides the biggest wave of the year.
Surfer Prize: $20,000 - Photographer Prize: $5,000

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The 2016 nominees for the TAG Heuer Biggest Wave are Mick Corbett at Nazaré (photo by André Bernardo), Garrett McNamara at Nazaré (photos by Bruno Aleixo, André Botelho, Vitor Estrelinha, Jorge Figueira and Manuel Ricardo; video by Timelapse Media), Niccolo Porcella at Jaws (photos by Erik Aeder, Rick Dobrowski, Dooma Photos, Paul Karaolides and Zack Williams; video by Marcus Rodrigues), Pedro Scooby at Nazaré (photos by Bruno Aleixo, Helio Antonio, Vitor Estrelinha, Pedro Miranda and Hugo Silva; video by André Callado) and Yuri Soledade at Jaws (photos by Brian Berkowitz, Jimmy Hepp, Elliot Leboe, John Patao and Fred Pompermayer; video by Elliot Leboe).

Pure Scot Barrel of the Year

Awarded to the surfer who rides the single most spectacular tubing wave of the year, judged on the impact generated by still photo images.
Prize: $10,000 - Photographer Prize: $4,000

Nominee: Keala Kennelly at Teahupo'o, Tahiti on July 22, 2015. Photo nominee: Kirvan Baldassari. (Note: This is one photo from a sequence. See the BWA page for the complete submission.)
- WSL / Kirvan Baldassari
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Nominee: Keala Kennelly at Teahupo'o, Tahiti on July 22, 2015. Photo nominee: Kirvan Baldassari. (Note: This is one photo from a sequence. See the BWA page for the complete submission.)
- WSL / Kirvan Baldassari
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Stay tuned for the nominees for TAG Heuer Wipeout of the Year, Surfline Men's Performance and Women's Overall Performance. The winners will be announced at the annual awards show in Southern California on April 23, 2016. Check out all the 2016 submissions on the Big Wave Awards.

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