Yes America, We Give Out Awards For Riding A Surfboard
April 16, 2009 – 10:23 am PT by MeTags: Andy Irons, Billabong XXL Awards, Dusty Payne, Greg Noll, Jeff Clark, Linda Benson, Mark Occhilupo —
As I was writing this. I was thinking, “Yes surfers do need to be recognized for their achievements in their respective sport.” Yet I couldn’t help but glance over the categories that were announced. It needs a little shaking up maybe. Like, “Most CHILLED OUT surfer”, or “Who has the BEST TAN without looking like they were working on their tan.” Even a category for best open toe footwear might sound freakishly fetishized, but normal in the surf world.
The award show will be broadcasted live folks, almost like the Oscars, but there’s no seven minute delay. In fact, it’s live, and expects some tomfoolery of sorts. You can go to
www.BillabongXXL.com to peep the web cast. Let us know if there is a wardrobe malfunction.
This Friday in Irvine, California on April 17, 2009. Instead of the Kodak Theater, it will be the Grove Theater. These brave men and women who ride some of the biggest waves in the world will gather to honor themselves. Selected by their peers in their “totally awesome “achievement in riding waves, and looking good while doing it. I know what you’re thinking; it’s going to be a party… Hells yeah it’s going to be a party. The best part about the ceremony is that instead of just dooling out awards on a lame piece of paper or a junky metal sculpture. They are also giving a cash award with the honor of winning. No, nothing on the scale of DUSTY’S $50,000 JACKET. But hey! Some cash is better than no cash, and no ass.
This is going to be the Ninth annual show. Each year it gets bigger and bigger. Possibly a sign of its growth will be the international presence at the show. Or the various peeps showing up from places far away as Australia, South Africa, Spain, France and our homies from South America. Seven Categories are being presented. All respectable in every manner of their difference in scale. The climax will be the presentation of the XXL Ride of the Year Award. You don’t get a jacket, but the winner will get 50 G’s!
The fashionable Red Carpet arrivals will showcase who has the best tans and the best sandals this side of the Pacific. The usual pundits of surf will be on hand to present include Andy Irons, Linda Benson, Jeff Clark, Greg Noll , Mark Occhilupo , and Mike Parsons. Along with the web cast at the website, the show will also be broadcasted live by satellite to viewers in Brazil, for the best Speedo and bikini awards.
ESPN2 will also air a one hour special on May 28, of this year. A total of $130,000 in award money will be dooled out. It’s nice to know someone out there cares for the toned and tan warriors of the waves. Some of the categories are something that would only make sense in a Surf Awards ceremony.
Examples would be Monster Paddle award, to a Wipeout award, even a Girls best overall performance. I don’t even really understand Monster Rube Ride. But hey it’s got a cash prize accompanying the award. So beggars can’t be choosers.
To see all the Nominated Rides and meet the surfers up for awards, see the event website at BillabongXXL.com.