Big Wave News

Andrew Marr a finalist in two categories in Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 2 April, 2007 : - - South African Andrew Marr has been nominated as a finalist in two categories of the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards presented by Monster Energy, the annual accolades that honour the exploits of big wave surfers worldwide. 

Marr, who turns 33 on Sunday (1 April), hails from Knysna but has spent the last 10 years living and riding the biggest waves he can find in Hawaii and Kommetjie on the Cape Peninsula. He is one of five finalists for the premier Ride of the Year award which offers prize-money of US $50 000 (approx R370 000) and acknowledges the most amazing performance on a big wave recorded on video in the last 12 months. 

He is also in the final five for the Billabong XXL Biggest Wave Award of US $15 000 (approx R110 000) that goes to the rider on the wave with the tallest face recorded on video or still photography over the past year.

Both Marr’s waves were recorded at Dungeons, the open ocean reef at the entrance to Hout Bay on the Cape Peninsula on 30 July 2006. Californian Greg Long is also in contention for the Biggest Wave for his ride on the same day at Dungeons.

Marr collected a total R75 000 in last year’s Big Wave Africa event at Dungeons which was held four days before the rides submitted to the XXL awards. He earned R50 000 for finishing runner-up to Durban’s John Whittle along with R25 000 for the biggest wave in the event when he paddled into a wave half the size of that he was towed into behind a jetski for the XXL nominated waves.