Even though it’s tough for New Englanders to find reason to grab their surf boards in cold weather, surfers around the world have been catching big waves in beautiful weather, and now it’s time to honor them.
The nominees for the 2011 Billabong XXL Awards have been announced, and there have been some impressive performances — as well as some impressive wipeouts — out on the water. Unlike other awards of its kind, the Billabong XXL awards do not have any prequalifying or ranking system, they just look to honor great surfing.
With La Nina preventing big waves in Northwest United States, the nominees this year represent a large international demographic. Europe, South America and even Australia will all be represented at the awards show on April 29 in Anaheim, Calif.
There are seven major awards given in the following categories: Billabong XXL Ride of the Year, Monster Paddle Award, Billabong XXL Biggest Wave Award, Monster Tube Award, Surfline Best Performance Award, Billabong Girls Best Performance Award and Verizon Wipeout of the Year Award.
Surfers and the photographers or videographers who captured the amazing rides receive generous prizes, including cash and new cars.
Check out the video of the nominees below.
