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Caption: Keala Kennelly has been nominated for the Pure Scot Barrel of the Year Award for this wave at Teahupoo, Tahiti on July 22, 2015. 
Image: Tim McKenna

Shortlisted surfers include 2015/16 Big Wave Tour Champion, Greg Long, as well as past Big Wave Award recipients Shane Dorian, Mark Healey, and Keala Kennelly. Kennelly, who received the Overall Women’s Performance Award in 2014, is the first female to be nominated for an open gender category. The nominations also include up-and-comers Nathan Florence and Albee Layer.

"There was a lot of hype around El Niño this year, and as far as the big wave community is concerned, it delivered and then some,” said Bill Sharp, Event Director of the Big Wave Awards. “Not only were there extraordinary episodes of historically large surf, this time around the best surfers were able to handle it as it came and the results speak for themselves. I think anyone who's been watching thinks there is a big chance records will be set when the results are in.”

"This is a historic day for women's surfing as it's the first time a female has been nominated for a unisex Big Wave Award category with Keala Kennelly's historic tube at Teahupoo,” continued Sharp. “This has nothing to do with affirmative action or special divisions, she is nominated for the 2016 Pure Scot Barrel of the Year Award because she simply pulled into one of the heaviest waves ever seen. Just look at the photos and no further explanation is required."

The winners will be crowned at a gala awards show at the Grove Theater in Anaheim, California on April 23. To apply for media accreditation to the event please complete the credential form on WorldSurfLeague.com/PressRoom or email Chloe Kojima at ckojima@worldsurfleague.com.

This year’s event features over $250,000 in total prize money to be allotted across the categories along with TAG Heuer watches for winners. In addition to the four categories announced today, the popular TAG Heuer Wipeout of the Year, Women’s Performance and Surfline Overall Performance Awards finalists are yet to be revealed and will be announced on Tuesday, March 29, 2016. Photographs and video of all the nominated rides can be viewed at WorldSurfLeague.com/BigWave.

The Billabong Ride of the Year is awarded to the surfer who demonstrates the most advanced and committed level of big wave surfing during a successful ride, as judged by available video-footage. While raw size is taken into consideration, it is ultimately the level of performance that is rewarded. The category carries the biggest prize of the Big Wave Awards with $60,000 for the winner, $15,000 for second place, $10,00 for third, $5,000 for fourth and $3,000 for fifth place. The first place videographer will receive $6,000, and second through fifth place videographers will receive $750. The Hawaiian surfers dominated the Billabong Ride of the Year nominations for this category, with all five finalists hailing from the Aloha State. Three of the five nominated rides took place during an epic winter at Jaws, Maui including entries from 2013 Ride of the Year winner Shane Dorian (who has a second nomination in the category from Jaws) and Albee Layer, who took second place at the 2015 Big Wave Tour Pe’ahi Challenge. Tyler Larronde secured a nomination from his massive ride at Maverick’s, California. The remaining nominee, Nathan Florence, earned his selection on a heavy ride at Teahupoo, Tahiti.

BILLABONG RIDE OF THE YEAR AWARD NOMINEES
Surfer prizes total $93,000  -  Videographer prizes total $9,000
Shane Dorian (Kona, Hawaii, USA) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on December 6, 2015 (Video by Ryan Moss.)
Shane Dorian (Kona, Hawaii, USA) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on February 10, 2016. (Video by Dan Norkunas.)
Nathan Florence (Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA) at Teahupoo, Tahiti on May 28, 2015. (Video by Tim Bonython.)
Tyler Larronde (Haiku, Hawaii, USA) at Maverick’s, California on February 4, 2016. (Video by Josh Pomer.)
Albee Layer (Haiku, Hawaii, USA) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on February 25, 2016. (Video by Elliot Leboe.)
 

The Paddle Award goes to the surfer who paddles into and successfully rides the biggest wave of the year. The winning surfer will receive $25,000 and the $5,000 will go to the photographer who captured the ride. This year’s nominees showcased an incredible display of big wave surfing with rides at Maverick’s, California from local Ben Andrews and Nicaraguan Manny Resano. Brazilian Pedro Calado and Hawaiian Aaron Gold earned their nominations with giant rides at Jaws. Hawaiian Mark Healey, Big Wave Tour veteran, secured his nomination on a towering left at Puerto Escondido, Mexico.

PADDLE AWARD NOMINEES:
Surfer prize $25,000 - Photographer prize $5,000
Ben Andrews (San Francisco, California, USA) at Maverick’s, California on February 4, 2015 (Photos by Fred Pompermayer and Frank Quirarte. Video by Larry Haynes.)
Pedro Calado (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on January 15, 2016. (Photos by 808Photo.me, Brent Bielmann, Brian Bielmann, Wangdu Hovey and Tom Servais. Video by Dan Norkunas.)
Aaron Gold (Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on January 15, 2016. (Photos by 808Photo.me, Brent Bielmann, Brent Broza, Aaron Lynton and Fred Pompermayer. Video by Elliot Leboe.)
Mark Healey (Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA) at Puerto Escondido, Mexico on May 3, 2015. (Photos by Nikki Brooks, Ben DeCamp, Astrid Fonseca and Edwin Morales. Video by Jaciel Santiago.)
Manny Resano (Playa Popoyo, Nicaragua) at Maverick’s, California on December 7, 2015. (Photos by Sachi Cunningham, Benjamin Ginsberg and Frank Quirarte. Video by Rafael Sauro.)

The TAG Heuer XXL Biggest Wave Award goes to the surfer who, by any means available, catches and rides the biggest wave of the year. The winner will receive a $20,000 prize, along with a $4,000 TAG Heuer Watch. The photographer of the ride will receive a $5,000 prize. Finalists include rides from Pedro Scooby, Garrett McNamara and Mick Corbett at Nazaré, Portugal across the entry window. Two of the five nominated rides took place on February 25, 2016 at Jaws, Maui including entries from Niccolo Porcella and Yuri Soledade.

TAG HEUER XXL BIGGEST WAVE AWARD NOMINEES:
Surfer prize $20,000 - Photographer prize $5,000
Mick Corbett (Perth, WA, Australia) at Nazaré, Portugal on February 19, 2016. (Photo by André Bernardo.)
Garrett McNamara (Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA) at Nazaré, Portugal on November 1, 2015.
(Photos by Bruno Aleixo, André Botelho, Vitor Estrelinha, Jorge Figueira and Manuel Ricardo. Video by Timelapse Media.)
Niccolo Porcella (Sardegna, Italy) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on February 25, 2016. (Photos by Erik Aeder, Rick Dombrowski, Dooma Photos, Paul Karaolides and Zack Williams. Video by Marcus Rodrigues.)
Pedro Scooby (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) at Nazaré, Portugal on October 27, 2015. (Photos by Bruno Aleixo, Helio Antonio, Vitor Estrelinha, Pedro Miranda and Hugo Silva.  Video by André Callado.)
Yuri Soledade (Haiku, Maui, Hawaii) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on February 25, 2016. (Photos by Brian Berkowitz, Jimmie Hepp, Elliot Leboe, John Patao and Fred Pompermayer. Video by Elliot Leboe.)

The Pure Scot Barrel of the Year is awarded to the surfer who rides the single most spectacular tubing wave of the year. This award is judged on the impact generated by still photographs. The winner will receive $10,000 and $4,000 will go to the photographer. Greg Long, 2015/16 Big Wave Tour Champion, received a nomination for his heavy tube at the 2015 Pe’ahi Challenge. Keala Kennelly pulled into a massive barrel at Teahupoo, Tahiti to solidify her nomination and make her the first female to be nominated for an open gender category. Mark Mathews received a nomination for his ride at the Australian slab, The Right. Big Wave Tour competitor, Ian Walsh received a nomination for his colossal ride at Jaws. Tom Butler charged Ireland’s Mullaghmore Head and received a nod for his gigantic barrel at the infamous European big-wave break.

PURE SCOT BARREL OF THE YEAR AWARD NOMINEES:
Surfer prize $10,000 - Still photography prize $4,000
Tom Butler (Newquay, Cornwall, England) at Mullaghmore Head, Ireland on October 28, 2015. (Photo by Ian Mitchinson.)
Keala Kennelly (Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA) at Teahupoo, Tahiti on July 22, 2015. (Photos by Kirvan Baldassari, Brent Bielmann, Tim McKenna and Isaac Sokol.)
Greg Long (San Clemente, California, USA) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on December 6, 2015. (Photos by Erik Aeder, Kelly Cestari, Richard Hallman, Paul Karaolides and Sofie Louca.)
Mark Mathews (Maroubra, New South Wales, Australia) at The Right, Australia on June 26, 2015. (Photo by Jack Sherriffs.)
Ian Walsh (Haiku, Maui, Hawaii) at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii on January 28, 2016. (Photos by Richard Hallman and Aaron Lynton.)

A panel of judges will review the nominated rides and the winners will be revealed at the invitation-only Big Wave Awards on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Grove Theater in Anaheim, California.

Nominees for the TAG Heuer Wipeout of the Year Award, Women's Best Overall Performance Award and Surfline Overall Performance Award will be announced Tuesday, March 29, 2016.

For more information, log onto WorldSurfLeague.com.

Big Wave Awards Media Resources:

For an assortment of still photos of key nominated waves from each category, use the following link:
https://www.hightail.com/download/ZWJVc2ZGeWFEa1VYRHRVag

For a News Feed/VNR compile of video of all nominated waves together, use the following link:
https://www.hightail.com/download/ZWJYTmZha0RVVGxqQTlVag

Individual Billabong Ride of the Year Nominee HD Video Clips for Download:
https://www.hightail.com/download/ZWJYTmZZNHZFd2ZWUThUQw

Individual Biggest Paddle Award Nominee HD Video Clips for Download:
https://www.hightail.com/download/ZWJYTmZXRStRWUpYd3NUQw

Individual TAG Heuer XXL Biggest Wave Nominees HD Video Clips for Download
https://www.hightail.com/download/ZWJYTmZabWd0QTF2TzhUQw

To embed nominee video clips directly on your site, please utilize the WSL Big Wave Awards YouTube Channel at www.YouTube.com/XXL

2016 Billabong Ride of the Year Nominees Group Clip:  https://youtu.be/M7Z28qEfRCc

Billabong Ride of the Year Individual Clips:
Shane Dorian at Jaws, Hawaii (Dec):  https://youtu.be/g5GjlzdmlrI
Shane Dorian at Jaws, Hawaii (Feb):  https://youtu.be/V-V_8VjNEvI
Nathan Florence at Teahupoo, Tahiti:  https://youtu.be/7xwQe7e4_5M
Tyler Larronde at Maverick’s, California:  https://youtu.be/vMGiAI8Raf8
Albee Layer at Jaws, Hawaii:  https://youtu.be/1X9ezsLVrkI

All nominated TAG Heuer XXL Biggest Wave and Paddle Award nominees are also available via YouTube.

 
Caption: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) claims his first victory at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. 
Image: WSL / Sloane

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/AUS (Sunday, April 3, 2016) -  Matt Wilkinson (AUS) has won the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach today, utilizing his electric backhand to best fellow Finalist Jordy Smith (ZAF) in solid six-to-ten foot (2 - 3 metre) waves at the iconic venue in the Australian State of Victoria.

The second stop on the 2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach is the longest-running professional surf event in the world and today proved nothing short of historic with Wilkinson’s victory being the first for a goofy-footer at Bells Beach in 17 years (last won by Mark Occhilupo in 1998).

Following a win at the opening stop of the season on the Gold Coast, the young Australian has gone back-to-back to start the year with today’s emphatic victory. Holding a stunning lead on the rest of the field, Wilkinson will spearhead the world’s best surfers at the next stop on the CT, the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro, this coming week.

Today’s Final match-up witnessed Wilkinson and Smith exchange huge scores as each battled to hold the lead. Wilkinson unleashed his strong backhand to deliver vertical snaps, earning him a 9.20 and an 8.17, challenging Smith to find two new scores halfway through the Final. Smith finished with a 14.16 two-wave combined score, but it was not enough to beat the Australian’s 17.37 combined score.

“I have been trying to win everywhere forever and it has never happened, and this year I seem to keep picking up trophies, which is making me feel pretty good,” Wilkinson said, “I am so happy to be at Bells. I’ve been coming down to this event for so long, and I’ve always wanted to win it. I finally got my chance.”

“If you improve ten percent in ten different areas in your surfing, you are going to be one-hundred percent better,” continued Wilkinson. “I am on great boards, I feel fit, my surfing feels really good and I am making smarter decisions, such as keeping calm in tricky moments. I am just going to keep doing what I am doing and try to not make any mistakes and throw everything into every wave I catch.”

After suffering a string of injuries in 2015, Smith’s performance at Bells puts his WSL Title campaign back on track. Although Smith experienced an early Round 2 loss at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, he made a major comeback by taking out CT heavyweights to earn a second place win at Bells Beach.

“Last year I had a back injury and struggled through it, but I am glad to make the Final here today,” Smith said. “This year was a little different for me at Bells. I did not have my expectations so high, and I wanted to put on a good performance and surf my best. I am just trying to put my head down and do the best surfing I can and work as hard as I can.”

The second Semifinal witnessed an all out clash between Smith and Mick Fanning (AUS), three-time WSL Champion and four-time event winner. Fanning and Smith went wave-for-wave, but it was Smith who challenged Fanning with a 17.17. Fanning was not able to lock in solid completions on his massive finishing moves and will end his run at Bells Beach with a 3rd place finish. Fanning has stated that 2016 will be a ‘personal year’ for him, and he will take some time off following this event.

“It was great to go up against Jordy. We have had so many battles out here and it always goes one way or the other,” said Fanning. “We both left it all out there, but I had fun. I was laughing and had a good time. It actually felt really good coming up the beach knowing that I am going on holiday tomorrow. I just want to say thanks to everyone for all the support over the last eight months and throughout my career.”

Wilkinson blazed through Semifinal 1 against Italo Ferreira (BRA), the 2015 WSL Rookie of the Year. Wilkinson dropped a 17.27 two-wave combined score, including a huge 9.27, leaving Ferreira in a combination situation for the majority of the heat. Ferreira will end his run with his highest finish at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach event.

“That was a great heat and a great surf for me,” said Ferreira. “This is my best result at Bells. It was a great heat for Wilkinson. He was ripping. I am happy. It is a long year and I will continue to do my best.”

Smith took out Michel Bourez (PYF) in the last heat of the Quarterfinals. Smith gained an early lead against Bourez with a 9.27. Both competitors earned high scoring rides throughout the heat, but Smith’s 17.77 two-wave combined score edged out Bourez’s 17.26, giving Smith the slight 0.51 lead to enter the Semifinals.

Fanning narrowly defeated 2016 WSL rookie Conner Coffin (USA) in this morning’s Quarterfinal match-up. Fanning faced much adversity with a tweaked his back from his earlier heat and a broken board halfway through, but was able to eliminate Coffin by only 0.73 points. Coffin threw up major scores to earn him a 16.17 two-wave combined score, but it was not enough to beat Fanning.

“It was a good heat and I had a lot of fun the whole event,” Coffin said. “When Mick went on that first wave of that set I was stoked because I knew there was a wave behind it. I needed a 9.03, but it came in as an 8.33 and that is just the way it goes when you are up against Mick, who was ripping. But I was happy with my heat, I had a sixteen point total and I am stoked with that.”

Despite the loss, Coffin heads to Margaret River as No. 2 on the Jeep WSL Rankings.

2016 WSL rookies Davey Cathels (AUS) and Caio Ibelli (BRA) were eliminated from the competition in Round 5 by Mick Fanning (AUS) and Jordy Smith (ZAF), respectively.

The next stop on the 2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour will be the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro from April 8 - 19, 2016.

High Res Images from this event available for editorial use via Reuters

Highlights from the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach are available at WorldSurfLeague.com.

For more information, log onto WorldSurfLeague.com

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Final Results:
1 - Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 17.37
2 - Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.16

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 17.27 def. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 12.40
SF 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 17.17 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.90

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.30 def. Nat Young (USA) 12.33
QF 2: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 13.26 def. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 12.00  
QF 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.90 def. Conner Coffin (USA) 16.17
QF 4: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 17.77 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 17.26

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Remaining Round 5 Results:
Heat 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) 14.50 def. Davey Cathels (AUS) 6.33
Heat 4: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 16.80 def. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 16.33

2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Top 5 (after Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach):
1. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 20,000 pts
2. Conner Coffin (USA) 9,200 pts
3. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 8,500 pts
3. Kolohe Andino (USA) 8,500 pts
5. Mick Fanning (AUS) 8,250 pts
5. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 8,250 pts
5. Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 8,250 pts

 
Caption: Three-time World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) will face 2016 WSL rookie Davey Cathels (AUS) to avoid elimination and continue to his battle for a fifth Bells Title when competition gets underway tomorrow. 
Image: WSL / Sloane

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/AUS (Saturday, April 2, 2016) - The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, the second stop on the 2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour, has been called OFF for the day due to high winds. 

“It is a terrible day today, unfortunately. ” said WSL Commissioner Kieren Perrow. “What a difference to yesterday with an incredible day of action and the surf was amazing. Today that wind just ripped through and shredded the line up. We are expecting the swell to build throughout the day and looking at a great finish tomorrow. We will try to get competition done early tomorrow before the onshore wind comes in the afternoon.”

After yesterday’s competition witnessed Courtney Conlogue (USA) claim her first win at the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach, the men’s competition will be on hold until tomorrow with the two remaining Round 5 heats.

When Round 5 is called on, Caio Ibelli (BRA), 2016 WSL rookie, will face returned-to-form Jordy Smith (ZAF) in Heat 4. Mick Fanning (AUS), three-time World Champion,  will compete against 2016 WSL rookie Davey Cathels (AUS) for the opportunity to win his fifth Bells Title.

Surfline, official forecaster for the World Surf League, are calling for:

Small short period wind waves from the west-northwest rising slightly later in the next few days. Light and variable west winds and switching to the southeast. Small short period wind waves from the southwest rising slightly later in the early part of next week. Light and variable north-northwest winds later and switching to the southeast. Moderate short period wind waves from the west-southwest holding during the day. Light and variable west-southwest winds with smooth seas.

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow at 7:30 am local time to assess conditions for a possible 8:00 am start tomorrow morning.

The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will be webcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com as well as the WSL app.

The event is also being carried by our LIVE broadcast partners Fox Sports Australia, CBS Sports in the United States, ESPN Brasil, Globosat, Edgesport, Sky NZ, Sport TV, Canal + Deportes, Channel Nine, MCS, Starhub, and Oceanic Time Warner Cable 250 & 1250 in Hawaii.

For more information, log onto WorldSurfLeague.com

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Remaining Round 5 Match-Ups:
Heat 3: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Davey Cathels (AUS)
Heat 4: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)