In celebration of the 2014 Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards, here’s a look at the five worst surfing wipeouts from the past year. Five surfers are featured at three different breaks, and all of them make you wonder the same thing, ‘How do these guys survive these wipeouts?’ And while the big money ($50,000) goes to the ‘Ride of the Year’ winner, everyone knows a good wipeout is worth its weight in gold. So without further ado, here are the five contenders for 2014 Billabong XXL Wipeout of the Year…
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Shawn Dollar at Mavericks, California
“There is nothing more prestigious than winning the Billabong XXL Wipeout of the Year. Haha ya right. But I’m psyched to be nominated,” said the Santa Cruz, CA. based surfer on his Instagram account.
Alex Martins at Mavericks, California
The San Francisco based big wave surfer strokes into a massive close out at Mavericks, a deadly big wave spot in Half Moon Bay, California.
Jamie Mitchell at Belharra Reef, France
One of the worlds most accomplished paddleboarders, Australia’s Jamie Mitchell is also in an elite class when it comes to big wave riding. His entry comes from an outer reef in the southernmost part of France called “Belharra” that only breaks when the Atlantic Ocean is at its angriest.
Alain Riou at Teahupo‘o, Tahiti
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger… Not sure about that saying but i hope not to get in that same position again,” said the Tahitian surfer about this wave via his Instagram account.
Koa Rothman at Teahupo‘o, Tahiti
Teahupo‘o is widely regarded as pound for pound the heaviest wave in the world. And no wave in recent memory was as heavy as the one North Shore of Oahu based surfer Koa Rothman got towed into last summer. It’s not the tallest of the entries, but the thickness of the lip and violent nature of the wave should be enough for the young Hawaiian to lay claim to Wipeout of the Year honors…at least that’s who I voted for!
The 2014 Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards take place Friday, May 2 at the Grove Theater in Anaheim, CA. and can be watched live at billabongxxl.com beginning at 7:45 PST.
Tahitian surfer Alain Riou about to experience one of the worst surfing wipeouts of the year at Teahupo‘o; frame grab from video
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