New York's Will Skudin (in the white NY shirt) livened things up with his New York family. - WSLBianca Valenti, Andrea Moller, and Sachi Cunningham - WSL / JP Van SwaeThe Grove Theatre in Anaheim. - WSL / Frank QuirarteMaverick's local Bianca Valenti (left) and Maui local Paige Alms, doing their best impression of a wave. - WSL / JP Van Swae
Women's performance champion, Maui local and Brazilian native Andrea Moller. - WSLShane Dorian, who was again nominated for (and won!) awards for Ride of the Year Surfline Best Overall Performance, brought his family to the 2016 Big Wave Awards. - WSL / JP Van SwaeJamie Mitchell, who was nominated for a 2016 Surfline Overall Best Performance Award, was supported at the BWAs by his partner and their tiny charger. - WSL / JP Van SwaeNiccolo Porcello (center), who won for best wipeout of 2016, with a couple of so-called friends. - WSL / JP Van Swae
Hawaii's Tyler Larronde and company arrive in full force at the WSL Big Wave Awards. - WSLRecognized for his incredible barrel at Pe'ahi, Maui charger Albee Layer a nominee for the Billabong Ride of the Year. - WSL / JP Van SwaePure Scot Barrel of the Year winner, Keala Kennelly. She became the first woman ever to win (or be nominated for) best tube of the year. - WSLNic Lamb, who competes on the Big Wave Tour, was also a nominee for the 2016 Surfline Best Overall Performance (not to mention one of the night's best-dressed). - WSL / JP Van Swae
North Shore local Emi Erickson was nominated for best overall women's performance at the 2016 Big Wave Awards. - WSL / JP Van SwaeFormer Championship Tour surfer -- and current big-wave charger -- Damien Hobgood and his better half, Charlotte. - WSLGarrett McNamara was still recovering from a serious shoulder injury, but made it to the Big Wave Awards with his wife, Nicole. - WSL / JP Van SwaeAaron Gold, the underdog who became a star of the winter season. - WSL
Keala Kennelly (left) and girlfriend Nikki Disanto, who trains Keala between big swells. - WSL / JP Van SwaeThe North Shore's Nathan Florence stepped into the spotlight Saturday, where he was a nominee in the Ride of the Year category. - WSL / JP Van SwaeSan Clemente shredder (and perpetual smiler), Dane Gudauskas, with his date. - WSLJason Magallanes (left) and North Shore lifeguard legend (and WSL BWT rescue team member) Abe Lerner honor big-wave surfer Brock Little, who passed away in February, 2016. - WSL / JP Van Swae
Greg Long, the new Big Wave Tour Champion. - WSLBig-wave pioneer Greg Noll, who was a presenter at the Big Wave Awards, gamely posed for a photo with his wife. - WSLShane Dorian is all smiles. - WSLTrevor Sven Carlson was a nominee for the 2016 Surfline Best Overall Performance and while he didn't win, he earned a spot as first alternate for the Big Wave Tour. - WSL / JP Van Swae
Big Wave Tour commissioner Pete Mel, with his wife Tara. - WSL / JP Van SwaeMauli Ola Foundation Director Hans Hagen (far right) with his Laguna buddy and Steven "Sli Dawg" Chew, lead documentarian for the band Chevy Metal, who played at the BWA show. - WSL / JP Van Swae
Images: Surfing's Big Night
WSL
Aaron Gold
2019 Wipeout of the Year Entry: Aaron Gold at Mavericks, California on December 17, 2018. Angle 2. Video by Elijah Crowell
2019 Wipeout of the Year Entry: Aaron Gold at Mavericks, California on December 17, 2018. Angle 2. Video by Timmy Toes
2019 Wipeout of the Year Entry: Aaron Gold at Mavericks, California on December 17, 2018. Video by Curt Myers.
The Oahu local made the most of winter swell at Maui for this winning paddle-in wave at Pe'ahi.
From a new world record to winter's biggest wipeout, here are the winning rides and performances of the year.
News
Jett Schilling's event-winning 9.73, plus a 9.50 in the Semifinals, another 9 from Taro Watanabe and explosive surfing from local hero
Jett Schilling Soars in Comeback Fashion to Claim QS 1000 Victory in Pumping Conditions
With Taro Watanabe pushing Jett Schilling to a 9.53 requirement, Schilling took to the air for a massive alley-oop and scored a 9.73 to
Soleil Errico teamed up with Traveller Surf Club (@traveller_surf_club) to host an invitational pro coaching workshop for the young rising
Taro Watanabe bagged himself two separate 9-point rides before Jett Schilling posted a 9.93 in the final heat of the Round of 16 to add