| Surfer Poll Awards crown Slater, Gilmore & 'Still Filthy' | |||
Surfer Poll Awards crown Slater, big shakeup in results from last year Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 16 September, 2009 : - - Dana Poing -- Top honors were awarded to Kelly Slater, Stephanie Gilmore and 'Still Filthy' last night at the 37th annual SURFER Poll and Video Awards presented by American Suzuki and Ultimate Wave Tahiti. While each category boasted exceptionally talented nominees, a good cross-section of the old and new guard was honored while there was an obvious shake up in the Polls for both men and women. “SURFER Poll is always the best night in surfing, and it lived up to it this year,” said SURFER Publisher Ricky Irons. “There was definitely a sense of respect from the surfers for the Awards given out and to the readers of SURFER for voting for them. It is really the readers who make it happen and we just host the party on their behalf.” It was no shocker when Kelly Slater, on the heels of his ninth world title and recently voted “The Greatest Surfer of All Time” by SURFER Magazine, secured the men’s top spot for the 15th time. His gracious acceptance speech once again gave credit to one of the up-and-comers of the new generation. Last year he called out Dane Reynolds as the best surfer in the world, this year he gave props to Brett Simpson. “Brett Simpson is the man of the hour. . .or the year, really,” said Slater. “Congrats Brett!” In the No. 2 spot, Joel Parkinson, followed by Dane Reynolds, Mick Fanning, Taj Burrow, Rob Machado, Andy Irons, CJ Hobgood, Jordy Smith and Bruce Irons. Parko’s climb to No. 2 marks a notable boost in momentum to his current world-title campaign, and Dane and Jordy’s invasion of the top 10 could signal a toppling of the old guard.
In the women’s category two-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore usurped reigning queen Sofia Mulanovich, bringing a bright young face to the apex of the SURFER Poll podium. “I’ve been in The States for the last three months and I don’t want to go home! The adventures have been endless,” said Gilmore. “Congrats to the other girls in the top five. You look so hot, and you’re making women’s surfing just blossom.” Former World Champ Mulanovich held her ground in the No. 2 slot with the young Hawaiian contingent of Carissa Moore, Coco Ho and Alana Blanchard rounding out the top five most popular female surfers. “The SURFER Poll is seldom wrong,” said SURFER Editor in Chief, Joel Patterson. “Kelly has won it 15 times, Curren won it for a decade, and so did Lisa Andersen. These are truly exceptional surfers who defined entire generations of surfing, and the fact that Steph Gilmore has risen to the top is no surprise to anyone who’s ever seen her compete or simply free surf. She is the most dominant female surfer of her generation, and we were honored to have her on stage.” For the Video Awards, this year instituted a new jury panel selection process for five of the most important categories. The jury, made up of surf film experts, World Champion surfers and respected industry leaders selected Still Filthy as “Movie of the Year,” Waveriders as “Best Documentary,” The Present for “Best Cinematography presented by Ultimate Wave Tahiti,” Dusty Payne in BS! for “Best Male Performance,” and Chelsea Hedges in The Present for “Best Female Performance.” Still Filthy, Billabong’s ambitious 21-years-in-the-making sequel to Filthy Habits, features Andy Irons, Taj Burrow, Joel Parkinson, to name a few. Director Jarrod Tallman credited the surfers while accepting the award: “These guys rip and give us a chance to really show this medium.” Andy Irons eloquently added: “We all like to get filthy once in awhile. Still Filthy for life!”
The remaining Video Award winners included: Rob Machado and Courtney Conlogue presented SurfAid International Founder and CEO Dr. Dave Jenkins with the “Agent of Change” award and surprised him with a check for $15,000 to help support the SurfAid mission. “I’m honored to receive this award on behalf of everyone who donates and contributes to SurfAid International,” said Jenkins. “Collectively we’ve wiped out hundreds of hours of child suffering. A special thank you to SURFER Magazine. They’ve really sparked support from the industry. And on behalf of all the children that now not only survive, they thrive.” In addition to voting rights in the Poll, the public was also given a chance to decide the winners of “Photo of Year” and the all-new “SurferMag.com Web Clip of the Year.” Todd Glaser earned the “Photo of the Year” honor for “Secrets,” and Jordy Smith took home the inaugural Web Clip award for his mind-blowing rodeo flip on the Red Bull Mentawais boat trip. Between citing repeatedly all of the beautiful girls in attendance at SURFER Poll and proclaiming his single status, Smith also acknowledged fellow nominees Sebastian Zietz and Tanner Gudauskas for their hilarious “dance off” web clip before thanking SurferMag.com for the award: “I didn’t think I could beat those moves from Seabass and Tanner. But we got some of the best waves they’ve seen in 25 years, and I just really appreciate it.”
Local Orange County surfer Brett Simpson secured the “Sponsor Me Breakthrough Performer” win for his accomplishments this year including the US Open of Surfing win in front of his hometown crowd which earned him the largest professional surfing purse ever awarded in a surf contest. For more results, in-depth analysis, photos and video visit surferpoll.com or surfermag.com. Catch a broadcast of highlights from the 2009 SURFER Poll and Video Awards on FUEL TV, Oct. 19, 2009 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Check local listings to confirm date and time. Special thanks to the sponsors of the 2009 SURFER Poll and Video Awards: American Suzuki, Ultimate Wave Tahiti, Red Bull Surfing, Sponsorme.tv, Coors, New Era and FUEL TV. Additional thanks to the VIP table donors whose donations benefit this year’s charity SurfAid International. Complete SURFER Poll and Video Award Results Movie of the Year: Still Filthy (Jarrod Tallman, Director) Best Documentary: Waveriders (Joel Conroy, Director) Best Cinematography presented by Ultimate Wave Tahiti: The Present (Thomas Campbell, Director) Best Male Performance: Dusty Payne (BS!) Best Female Performance: Chelsea Hedges (The Present) Best Barrel: Cory Lopez (5’5” x 19 1/4” Redux) Best Maneuver: Taj Burrow, frontside air (Still Filthy) Worst Wipeout: Ken “Skindog” Collins (BS!) Coors Heavy Water: Nathan Fletcher (Lavese Las Manos) Breakthrough Filmmaker: Tiffany Morgan-Campbell and Andria Lessler (Dear and Yonder) Agent of Change: Dr. Dave Jenkins (SurfAid International) Photo of the Year: “Secrets” by Todd Glaser Web Clip of the Year: Jordy Smith’s Rodeo Flip (RedBull Surfing) Sponsor Me Breakthrough Performer: Brett Simpson About SURFER Magazine: Upon its inception in 1960, SURFER Magazine brought a unity of voice and vision to an otherwise niche and fragmented sport. Today, the original surf publication is widely recognized as the "Bible of the Sport" and the driving force in the surf world, reaching more surfers worldwide than any other surf magazine. SURFER is part of Source Interlink’s Action Sports Group (ASG) that reaches more than 2 million action sports enthusiasts through an integrated network of magazines, online properties, events, and television programming. About American Suzuki Motor Corporation: The Brea, Calif.,-based Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) was founded in 1963 by parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) and currently markets its vehicles in the United States through a network of approximately 400 automotive dealerships and numerous other motorcycle, ATV and marine distributors in 49 states. With global headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan, SMC is a diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle, and outboard motor manufacturer. In 2008, SMC sold more than 2 million new cars and trucks and more than 3.5 million motorcycles and ATVs. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has operations in 196 countries and regions. For more information, visit media.suzuki.com. About Ultimate Wave Tahiti: Ultimate Wave Tahiti, featuring Kelly Slater, will premiere next February. It is the first 3D film produced and distributed for IMAX® and other Giant Screen Theaters to focus on surfing and the unique waves that travel thousands of miles, eventually making it all the way to Teahupoo. Together with Tahitian Raimana Van Bastolaer, Slater will treat movie-goers to a blend of sport, ocean science, and cultural history that will both enthrall and fascinate. Award-winning director, Stephen Low, brings a never-before-seen filming technique to the giant screen, opening eyes to the beauty and intensity of some of the world's most powerful of waves. Ultimate Wave Tahiti, which will be released worldwide to IMAX and other giant screen and digital theaters in 3D and 2D, is produced by The Stephen Low Company and executive produced by K2 Communications, Inc. and presented by Suzuki, with supporting partnerships from Tahiti Tourism North America and Quiksilver. (IMAX® is a registered trademark of IMAX Corporation.) |
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Surfer Poll Awards crown Slater, Gilmore & 'Still Filthy'
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