Breakdown: SurferMag.com Takes a Closer Look at the 2006 SURFER Poll and Video Award Winners

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.
Other Nominees: Tsunami Diaries Pipeline Masters Letting Go Flow

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 itís no wonder the world has fallen in love with her.
Other Nominees: Kassia Meador in Shimmer Chelsea Georgeson in Shimmer Rochelle Ballard in Sacre Bleu Lisa Andresen in Shimmer

Best Performance by a Male:
Dane Reynolds in 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.
Other Nominees: Kelly Slater in Campaign 2 Andy Irons in Campaign 2 Jamie O'Brien in Freakside Damien Hobgood in Secret Machine

Worst Wipeout
Garrett McNamara in Shark Park: One thing you gotta love about Garrett McNamara is he takes a licking, but keeps on ticking. This is one of the hardest categories to figure out because there are just so many great, or should we say terrible, wipeouts every year. The award is a crowd favorite, and after watching Garrett free fall almost 20 feet from the roof of a monster barrel in slow motion, it's not hard to figure out why.
Other Nominees: Mick Fanning from Mick, Myself and Eugene Lee Wilson from Campaign 2 Flea from Campaign 2