Saffa charger, Grant ‘Twiggy’ Baker, has been nominated not once but twice as a finalist in the ‘Paddle’ category of the annual XXL Big Wave Awards.
The 2013/14 Big Wave World Tour champion earned his spot in the finals with two massive rides, one ridden at Maui’s notorious Jaws and the other at Peru’s mighty Pico Alto:
Jaws – 12 November 2014:
Pico Alto – 3 July 2014:
The XXL Paddle prize is awarded to the surfer who ‘paddles into and successfully rides the biggest wave of the year’. The winning surfer earns $20,000, while $4,000 goes to the photographer(s) who captured the ride.
In the final, Twiggy’s rides will have to be deemed larger than waves ridden by Damien Hobgood at Punta De Lobos, as well as Jamie Mitchell and Nic Vaughan at Mavericks.
Jamie Mitchell’s ride in particular looks like a tough one to beat, although he was on the receiving end of a severe beating for his efforts; which has sparked some debate over the ‘successfully rides’ wording in the rules:
Florida’s Brad Domke made history in the ‘Ride of the Year’ category for being the first skimboarder to ever be nominated, while Hawaii’s Shane Dorian also received two nominations; both in the ‘Ride of the Year’ category.
Check out the official announcement for all finalists below.
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BEST IN BIGGEST: Big Wave Award Nominees Announced
The 2014/2015 WSL Big Wave Awards nominees have been decided. During a year-long window, submissions poured in from breaks around the world, including big wave hotspots Puerto Escondido, Nazaré, Jaws, Maverick’s and more.
“It was another spectacular year of big wave surfing, all around the globe,” said Bill Sharp, Big Wave Award Event Director and Founder. “This year there is a complete assortment of countries where amazing waves were ridden. It might even be the most internationally represented season ever in the 15 years since I started the Big Wave Awards.
“Overall, it’s been an insane year for surf and now with the event under the umbrella of the World Surf League, we’re gearing up to take it all to the next level at the Awards show scheduled for 1 May.”
The 2014/2015 Big Wave Award nominees are:
BILLABONG RIDE OF THE YEAR:
Brad Domke (Wabasso Beach, Florida, USA) at Puerto Escondido, Mexico on July 5, 2014. (Video Nominee, Dylan Palmer.)
Shane Dorian (Kona, Hawaii, USA) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on November 12, 2014. (Video Nominee, Bruno Lemons.)
Shane Dorian (Kona, Hawaii, USA) at Puerto Escondido, Mexico on July 5, 2014. (Video Nominee, Alejandro de la Torre.)
Dean Morrison (Gold Coast, Australia) at The Right, Australia on April 18, 2014. (Video Nominee, Tim Bonython.)
Gabriel Villaran (Punta Hermosa, Peru) at Puerto Escondido, Mexico on July 5, 2014. (Video Nominee, Daniel Nava.)
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PADDLE:
Grant Baker (Durban, South Africa) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on November 12, 2014. (Video Nominee: Elliot Leboe. Photograph Nominees: Erik Aeder, Marc Chambers, Dooma Photos, Nick Ricca.)
Grant Baker (Durban, South Africa) at Pico Alto, Peru on July 3, 2014. (Video Nominee: WSL Big Wave Tour Video. Photograph Nominee: Rommel Gonzales.)
Damien Hobgood (Satellite Beach, Florida, USA) at Punta de Lobos, Chile on May 5, 2014. (Video/Photograph Nominees: Rodrigo Farias, Cristian Saez.)
Jamie Mitchell (Gold Coast, Australia) at Maverick’s, California on December 20, 2014. (Video Nominee: Tony Harrington. Photograph Nominees: Doug Acton, Richard Hallman, Fred Pompermayer, Frank Quirarte.)
Nic Vaughan (Rancho Palos Verdes, California, USA) at Maverick’s, California on December 20, 2014. (Video Nominee: Alejandro Berger. Photographer Nominees: Richard Hallman, Fred Pompermayer, Frank Quirarte.)
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XXL BIGGEST WAVE:
Ross Clarke-Jones (Avoca Beach, New South Wales, Australia) at Nazaré, Portugal on December 11, 2014. (Video Nominee: Humberto Santos. Photograph Nominees: Antonio Balau, Daniela Carneiro, Andre Carvalho, Jose Pinto, Luis Rodrigues, Mark Wengler.)
Mick Corbett (Perth, WA, Australia) at Cow Bombie, Australia on August 9, 2014. (Photograph Nominee: Jamie Scott.)
Jarryd Foster (Dodges Ferry, Tasmania, Australia) at Cow Bombie, Australia on August 9, 2014. (Photograph Nominee: Jamie Scott.)
Sebastian Steudtner (Nuremberg, Germany) at Nazaré, Portugal on December 11, 2014. (Video Nominee: Silvino Esperanca. Photograph Nominees: Mike Jones, Everton Luis, Pedro Miranda, Ru Olveira, Miguel Prata, Red Bull/Jeff Flindt, Abel Santos.)
Hugo Vau (Terceira, Azores, Portugal) at Nazaré, Portugal on December 11, 2014. (Video Nominee: Bro Cinema. Photograph Nominees: Bruno Aleixo, Red Bull/Jeff Flindt, Mark Wengler.)
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TUBE:
Mick Corbett (Perth, WA, Australia) at Cow Bombie, Australia on August 9, 2014. (Photograph Nominee: Jamie Scott.)
Matahi Drollet (Tahiti, French Polynesia) at Teahupo’o, Tahiti on September 11, 2014. (Photograph Nominees: Maui Cojan, Julien Girardot, Domenic Mosquiera, Kenna Colburn, Tim McKenna, Raihei Tapeta.)
Dean Morrison (Gold Coast, Australia) at The Right, Australia on April 18, 2014. (Photograph Nominee: Trent Slatter.)
Brad Norris (Perth, WA, Australia) at The Right, Australia on April 18, 2014. (Photograph Nominees: Chris Gurney, Calum Macaulay, Trent Slatter.)
Chris Ross (Margaret River, WA, Australia) at The Right, Australia on April 18, 2014. (Photograph Nominees: Calum Macaulay, Russell Ord, Trent Slatter.)
And there’s more: Three awards still have nominations forthcoming, including Surfline Overall Performance, Women’s Best Performance and Wipeout.
Wondering how the Big Wave Awards work? Be sure to check out the full event guide here.
