Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards Gallery

posted by / Photos / April 30, 2011

All photos by Pete Taras

These people won:

Danilo Couto, Ride of the Year
Benjamin Sanchis, Biggest Wave
Shane Dorian, Monster Paddle
Shane Dorian, Monster Tube
Mark Mathews, Wipe-out of the Year
Keala Kennelly, Girls Overall Performance
Sion Milosky, Mens Overall Performance

It was same same, but different. Same same because it was the world’s best big-wave riders gathered at the Grove in Anaheim to celebrate their testosterone-packed year, get all glassy-eyed and slap backs and laugh. But different because this year they also cried. Kenny “Skindog” Collins, who was surfing with Sion Milosky at Maverick’s the day Sion passed, gave an emotional speech remembering his friend and honoring his family, and ended it by raising a mini-bottle of whiskey towards the sky and downing it. Sion’s wife, kids, and father later took the stage in front of a standing and tearful crowd. Also remembered were Flippy Hoffman, Andy Irons, and Noel Robinson. Most of the winners donated a portion, if not all, of their prize money to the Sion Milosky foundation, in a showing of generosity that just reaffirmed how much of a family the big-wave community is.

 

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Alex Gray sizes up a Playboy bunny.

Alex Gray sizes up a Playboy bunny.

Chas f--ing Smith.

Chas f--ing Smith.

Greg Long, Loly, Keala Kennelly and friend.

Greg Long, Loly, Keala Kennelly and friend.

Rider of the year, Danilo Couto

Rider of the year, Danilo Couto

Danilo deserved it.

Danilo deserved it.

One for the money.

One for the money.

Two for the show.

Two for the show.

Five gees for packing that Jaws behemoth.

Five gees for packing that Jaws behemoth.

All of the lights.

All of the lights.

From left to right: A bunch of people in the lobby.

From left to right: A bunch of people in the lobby.

Benjamin Sanchis and Belharra finally get their glory for the biggest wave.

Benjamin Sanchis and Belharra finally get their glory for the biggest wave.

Rusty Long admires Mark Healey’s jacket while Skinny orders another drink.

Rusty Long admires Mark Healey’s jacket while Skinny orders another drink.

After the party it’s the after party.

After the party it’s the after party.

Babes in boyland.

Babes in boyland.

More babes.

More babes.

Peligroso girls

Peligroso girls

Coppin’ a feel.

Coppin’ a feel.

Big Wave World Tour champion Jamie Sterling.

Big Wave World Tour champion Jamie Sterling.

Maverick’s underground youngsters (and cousins) Colin Dwyer and Travis Payne like giant waves and the Giants.

Maverick’s underground youngsters (and cousins) Colin Dwyer and Travis Payne like giant waves and the Giants.

When you look this good people just keep handing you drinks. Danny Fuller.

When you look this good people just keep handing you drinks. Danny Fuller.

Raimana Van Bastolaer

Raimana Van Bastolaer

Mark Healey loves life.

Mark Healey loves life.

Betcha Alex Gray is nominated for something next year.

Betcha Alex Gray is nominated for something next year.

John Florence, one man wolf pack.

John Florence, one man wolf pack.

Brandon Guilmette and Shea Perkins

Brandon Guilmette and Shea Perkins

Oh hey! Didn’t see ya there.

Oh hey! Didn’t see ya there.

Maya Gabeira and Carlos Burle.

Maya Gabeira and Carlos Burle.

Raimana looks like a good hugger, doesn’t he? Dorian knows.

Raimana looks like a good hugger, doesn’t he? Dorian knows.

Skindog, Rusty Long, Kelly Cox

Skindog, Rusty Long, Kelly Cox

Greg Long wears shades inside ‘cause his future’s so bright. Also he just had eye surgery.

Greg Long wears shades inside ‘cause his future’s so bright. Also he just had eye surgery.

The crowd’s silent during the Sion memorial reel.

The crowd’s silent during the Sion memorial reel.

Standing ovation for Sion and his family.

Standing ovation for Sion and his family.

Sion’s father, wife and daughters

Sion’s father, wife and daughters

That’s Tony Hawk.

That’s Tony Hawk.

Kohl Christensen celebrates for Danilo.

Kohl Christensen celebrates for Danilo.

Featured Flipbook

California: South to North

California: South to North

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4 Responses to “Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards Gallery”

  1. flagboy says:
    May 1, 2011 at 5:32 am

    the evening wouldn’t be complete without douche bags in backwards baseball caps

    “hey bro, did you get your baseball cap?”

    “uh, yeah, now im representing cali douches.”

    “is that “your boy” Chas?”

    “uh, yeah, hey bro…”

  2. johhny says:
    May 1, 2011 at 11:07 am

    question…why is it lame to wear a baseball cap?

  3. norkiller says:
    May 1, 2011 at 9:38 pm

    how long did it take you to think up some gay quotes on some petty observations of a completely asinine thing like wearing a hat? the evening wouldn’t be complete without losers being hyper critical of people they’re jealous of that don’t look like themselves. flagboy you’re a kook

  4. flagboy says:
    May 2, 2011 at 3:37 pm

    get invited to a prestigious event and dress like you are attending a beer pong game.

    no class, just pure wannabe’s.

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