$20,000 RAISED FOR CHARITY AS THOUSANDS TURN OUT TO HONOR THE WORLD'S BEST SURFERS AT THE 2005 SURFER POLL AND VIDEO AWARDS PRESENTED BY AMERICAN SUZUKI
Kelly Slater Secures Second Consecutive SURFER Poll Award, Sofia Mulanovich Grabs Her First and The Bruce Movie Named Video of the Year
DANA POINT , Calif. , Sept. 14, 2005 Nearly 2,000 arrived in red-carpet style to honor the top names in surfing last night at the 33 rd annual SURFER Poll and Video Awards Presented by Suzuki Automotive at The Grove of Anaheim, Calif. After a solid day of surfing at the Boost Mobile Pro, spirits were high as all in attendance were anxious to see who would clench the top honor in the ongoing battle between Kelly Slater and Andy Irons for the men's SURFER Poll award. In the end, Slater reigned victorious to win the coveted trophy. In the women ' s category, current world champion and Peruvian sensation Sofia Mulanovich defeated former world champ and last year ' s winner Layne Beachley to win the honor. Both Slater and Mulanovich were surprised with keys to brand new Suzuki Grand Vitaras to drive home courtesy of Suzuki Automotive.
The feelings of camaraderie were felt by all as Slater humbly accepted his award for the second year in a row and acknowledged the fellow surfers and friends that inspire him everyday. When I started surfing, I ' d forget about everyone and everything and just go out and surf, said Slater while accepting his award. I surfed by myself, but surfing has allowed me to have friends around the world. It ' s an exciting time for me and I ' m having fun. That ' s probably why I ' m surfing so well.
Additionally, $20,000 was raised through VIP table sales and will be split evenly between Surfing America to support the USA Surf Team as they go on to compete in the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships in Huntington Beach in October and Surfzone Relief Operations (SRO) that was founded in January of this year to help after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Southeast Asia. In early
September, SRO joined the rescue and relief work in the disaster stricken city of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to assist in the daunting task of assessing the remaining survivors.
It was a huge night, says SURFER editor Chris Mauro. Especially for our Poll winners Kelly Slater and Sofia Mulanovich, who were both extremely surprised to learn they were each walking away with a brand new Suzuki Grand Vitara. But the entire night was full of emotion. From Australia ' s Rabbit Bartholomew receiving a standing ovation after getting our Lifetime Achievement Award, to a very moving tribute to the huge number of surfers who have passed away in the past year, to a gracious runner-up speech from three-time world champion Andy Irons, who pre-empted the suspense by walking to the podium before announced, and everything in between. The night was filled with all the things you ' d expect when you put a bunch of legendary surfers in a room.
2005 SURFER Poll and Video Awards Presented by Suzuki Automotive
The awards began with the SURFER Video Awards hosted by Peter King and Alex Gray and with guest presenters actor William Katt, stunt double and surf legend Peter Townend, actress Nia Peeples, motocross legend Jeremy McGrath and reigning supercross champ Ricky Carmichael. Top honors were bestowed on The Bruce Movie which was awarded the prestigious " Video of the Year" award. Kudos to the Volcom crew who produced the in-depth look at one of the most renowned surfers on the planet. Next up, the Canon Photo of the Year and Boost Breakthrough Performer awards were presented to Vince Street and Jamie O ' Brien respectively. The awarding of the Lifetime Achievement award captured the spotlight as Tom Curren reminisced about past experiences with award recipient and surfing legend Wayne Rabbit Bartholomew . Concluding the awards show were the SURFER Poll Awards, a notable part of surf culture as nearly 20,000 SURFER Magazine readers voted for and recognized their favorite athletes. The Poll awards were presided over by sports commentator and X Games personality Sal Masekela. After the awards, attendees and award winners commenced in the courtyard as Redbull ' s DJ Ted Shred took the celebration several decibels higher. The event can be viewed at www.surfermag.com or on FUEL TV during a special one-hour television special. Check www.fuel.tv for airdates and times.
Special thanks goes out to presenting sponsor American Suzuki, cosponsors Boost Mobile and Red Bull and media sponsor Fuel TV for their contributions to make the event a success.
2005 SURFER Video Award Results
Worst Wipeout
Damon Eastaugh, A Day in the Life
Video of The Year
The Bruce Movie
Best Cinematography
A Broke Down Melody
Best Performance by a Male
Bruce Irons, The Bruce Movie
Worst Wipeout
Damon Eastaugh, A Day in the Life
Guts for Glory
Shane Dorian, Solid
Best Tuberide
Dane Reynolds, Young Guns II
Most Radical Maneuver
Kelly Slater, A Broke Down Melody
Best Performance by a Female
Layne Beachley, Life in the Fast Layne
SURFER Poll Award Results (number in parenthesis indicates last year' s finish)
Men ' s Winners
1. Kelly Slater (1)
2. Andy Irons (2)
3. Bruce Irons (5)
4. Mick Fanning (7)
5. C.J. Hobgood (6)
6. Taj Burrow (3)
7. Rob Machado (4)
8. Joel Parkinson (8)
9. Damien Hobgood (9)
10. Cory Lopez
Women ' s Winners
1. Sofia Mulanovich (4)
2. Keala Kennelly (3)
3. Rochelle Ballard (2)
4. Lisa Andersen (5)
5. Layne Beachley (1)
Three special recognition awards for 2005 were given to:
Canon Photo of the Year Vince Street
Boost Breakthrough Performer Jamie O'Brien
Lifetime Achievement Wayne Rabbit Bartholomew
About American Suzuki
The Automotive Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC), Brea , Calif. , was founded in 1985 by Suzuki Motor Corporation. ASMC markets its vehicles in the United States through a network of nearly 540 automotive dealerships in 49 states. ASMC ʹ s parent company, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu , Japan , is a diversified worldwide automobile manufacturer with sales of more than 2 million new vehicles annually. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, it has operations in 125 countries. For media information and photos visit: www.media.suzuki.com
About SURFER
Upon its inception in 1960, SURFER Magazine brought a unity of voice and vision to an otherwise niche and fragmented sport. Today, the original surf publication is widely recognized as the Bible of the Sport and the driving force in the surf world, reaching more surfers worldwide than any other surf magazine.
SURFER is part of PRIMEDIA ' s Action Sports Group (ASG) that reaches more than 2 million active sports enthusiasts through an integrated network of magazines, online properties, events and television programming.
About PRIMEDIA ' s Action Sports Group
Reaching more than 2 million enthusiasts, PRIMEDIA ' s ASG is the dominant force in the action sports and adventure sports arenas. In addition to SURFER , the ASG publishes leading lifestyle publications such as Surfing , SG , Snowboarder , Skateboarder , Bike , Powder and Canoe & Kayak . PRIMEDIA 's ASG delivers a cuttingedge network of online properties, events and television programming. Learn more online at: www.actionsportsgroup.net
Media Contacts:
Dawn Boeckermann Michelle Prescott
dboeckermann@snlc.net mprescott@snlc.net
SnL Communications SnL Communications
310-996-0239x.107 310-996-0239x.105
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