Team News

Ryan Hipwood, Dylan Longbottom, Mark Mathews & others in contention

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 26 March, 2009 : - - Six Australian surfers have been nominated for the 2009 Billabong XXL Global big wave awards, with the list of global nominee’s released in the USA today. The Billabong XXL is recognised as the Oscars of big wave surfing, with all giant waves ridden from around the world over a 12 month category scrutinised by an elite judging panel. 

Surfers are nominated in the prestigious awards across the categories of Ride Of The Year, Biggest Wave, Monster Tube Ride and Biggest Paddle In Wave. The winners are announced in a huge gala ceremony in California on April 17.

Ryan Hipwood (Gold Coast), James Holmer-Cross (Hobart), Mark Mathews (Maroubra), Damien Warr (Yallingup, WA), Kirby Brown (Kalbarri, WA) and Dylan Longbottom (Central Coast) have all scooped nominations for daring rides at big wave breaks around the country.  They make up 6 of the 18 surfers nominated. 

Leading the charge for Australia was Ryan Hipwood (Gold Coast, QLD) who was given the nod for his no-holds-barred approach to one of the world’s deadliest breaks.  Nominated in two categories - the Billabong XXL Ride of the Year Award and the Monster Tube Award, for his death-defying attack on the notorious Shipstern Bluff (Tasmania), Hipwood was over the moon with his nomination.

“I’m so stoked, “ said Hipwood.  “To be recognised as pushing the limits of surfing is an honour.”  Having survived a massive airborne leap down a heaving stair-step face, whilst locking into some of the biggest ever barrels surfed at the famed Tasmanian break, Hipwood recalls the “day of days” fondly.

“We got to the spot really early,” he recalled.  “I wasn’t feeling great when I rocked up, but the waves just continued to get bigger and bigger and it just turned into such an amazing day.”  Hipwood has a refreshing, pure attitude towards the art of big-wave surfing, despite being in line to win $USD 55,000 should he scoop both categories.

“To be honest I didn’t realise there was such a prize associated with the Award as it’s something I’d do anyway,” admitted Hipwood.  “But I’ll take the cash if it comes my way.”   Joining Hipwood is surfer/shaper Dylan Longbottom (Central Coast, NSW), who was also nominated in the Monster Tube category, for his radical, backhand barrel at surfing’s coliseum - Teahupoo (Tahiti).

For Longbottom, a former Monster Tube XXL winner, said a nomination in the awards was a huge honour. “It means a lot,” he said.  “There are so many big wave riders throughout the world, but to be nominated makes me feel respected within that community. Having been one of the most progressive, all-round surfers over the past decade, Longbottom feels he has an affinity with Teahupoo, the spot that earned him the nomination.

“It’s definitely a special place for me,” Longbottom.  “I’ve been going there for ten years now and I’m only now beginning to feel a little bit more comfortable and getting a little bit deeper.  “In saying that however, I have ultimate respect for how heavy that place is.”

The closest thing to the modern day dare–devil, Australia’s big wave surfers have built a reputation of some of the world’s best, with some of the craziest waves in the world on our shores.  This years awards recognises a number of such waterman.

James Holmer-Cross (Tasmania) qualified with a thick double-tube ride at Tasmania's Shipstern Bluff, whilst another pair of massive contenders come from Western Australia's Cow Bommie with local Damien Warr (Western Australia) and Sydney surfer Mark Mathews (Maroubra, NSW).  Fellow West Australian Surfer Kirby Brown was also nominated in the Monster Tube Ride Category. 

Next week nominations will be announced in additional Billabong XXL categories including the Surfline Best Overall performance, Billabong GIrls Performance and the Verizon Wireless Wipeout of the Year. 

Verizon Wireless is the official communications provider and Honda is the official watercraft of the event.  Surfline.com is the exclusive surf forecast of the XXL.  The event is sponsored by Surfing Magazine, Air Tahiti Nui and High Surf Accessories.

www.billabongxxl.com

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Simon Barratt

Team - Surfersvillage