Opening Video
Video introduction to the 2006 Surfer Poll and Video Awards presented by Suzuki Automotive

Best Performance by a Male
Dane Reynolds in Dane Reynolds:First Chapter: Just like NBA pundits are always asking who the next Michael Jordan is, we often ask ourselves who the next Kelly Slater may be. Well, this year we may have figured it out. Dane Reynolds certainly fits the bill. With an incredible ability to not only pull the most state of the art maneuvers, but also tie them together in a seemless, stylish package, there’s no doubt that Dane is bound for greatness. Just like Kelly’s Black and White set the standard for performance surfing a generation ago, Dane’s First Chapter will undoubtedly do the same for the kids coming up today.

Best Performance by a Female
Sofia Mulanovich in Sofia: A Documentary: Sofia is a world champion for a reason—because she rips. With a low center of gravity, and a very stylish approach the Peruvian Princess has the uncanny ability to always appear in control, as if even those slight off-balance bobbles were planned. Combine that with her charisma and it’s no wonder the world has fallen in love with her.

Best Tuberide
Nathan Hedge from Mick, Myself and Eugene: It’s not always the longest, deepest, or most cavernous that takes the cake for Best Tuberide, and if you have the opportunity to watch Nathan Hedge thread the needle at the sucking, sub-sea level pit known as Greenbush you’ll understand why. Coming from way behind critical section after critical section, Hedge’s ability to maneuver his way to daylight is what stands out most about this impossible barrel. Don’t think he was stoked to make it? Just watch the reaction after he gets spit out.

Breakthrough Performer of the Year
Bobby Martinez: The road to success is often pocked with ruts and ravines, and nobody knows this better than Bobby Martinez. His journey to the top of surfing stardom has not come easy. Raised in the barrios of Santa Barbara, while Martinez’s best friends were busy gang banging and doing jail time, the talented goofy-footer found solace and an escape in the long walls of Rincon. After struggling through his early years as a professional surfer, he’s proved to the world that he’s one of the most elite waveriders on the planet today. The trick is getting him to see himself as such. “This is unbelievable,” he said after receiving this award, “I just can’t believe that any of this is happening.” Well Bobby, believe it, you deserve it.

Best Cinematography
Secret Machine: There’s a fine art to crafting a truly unique surf film, and very few know this better than Sonny Miller. Seamlessly blending first-rate 16mm water footage and unbelievable surf action filmed from the land, as well as the creative sense to blend top-shelf art direction with a high-end soundtrack, the quality of Secret Machine is no longer a secret.

Best Documentary
Sofia: A Documentary: The story of Sofia Mulanovich may be the single greatest story in the history of surfing, and finally, thanks to this film, the world can now see it. Sure Tom Curren changed how people approached riding waves, as did Kelly Slater after him, but Sofia has changed a country. Rising from the streets of terror-torn Peru to become a world champion, Sofia has not only attracted girls from around the world to the sport of surfing, but has inspired the people of her country to strive for their goals. She’s ascended from surf stardom to become a true cultural icon.

Heavy Water Award presented by Corona
Tyler Smith from Creepy Fingers: What can you say about a guy that feels more comfortable getting mowed down by 30-foot sets than he does getting up in front of 2,000 screaming fans and accepting an award for his lunacy? Awarded for not only his beat down at Ghost Trees last winter, but also for his resiliency after the ski that towed him into the behemoth was engulf by the second wave of the set and promptly washed up on the rocks. “Big waves are fine, it’s these crowds that freak me out,” he said backstage after accepting the award.

Photo of the Year
Frank Quirarte Photo of the Year is picked by our photographers from the previous years issues, and the photo annual then narrowed down to the selected top 5, then revoted to find the best of the best. This year's photo was chosen by the feeling you get by just looking at the image. Intensity, quality, precise moment, and the photographers intuition to be there at the right time make that image what it is; Photo of the Year.

2006 Skit
Watch super grom, Kalohe Andino, climb the Ultimate Fighting ranks under the guidance of UFC superstar Rampage. Witness UFC heavyweights BJ Penn, Todd Medina, and professional surfer Pat O’Connell and others fall victim to this 4’8”, 110 lb mighty mite.

Tribute
A video tribute to our fallen icons, heroes and friends from the past year.