John Florence, Carissa Moore and Let’s Be Frank took top honors tonight at the 46th annual SURFER Awards at Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of Oahu. Hosted by SURFER, the biggest night in surfing honored the fan-favorite men and women as well as the top videos and performances of 2016.
“The SURFER Awards is about honoring achievements in surfing and filmmaking, but more than that it’s about getting the surf community together and having an awesome time,” said SURFER Editor Todd Prodanovich. “I’d like to thank all the nominees and winners for making 2016 a year to remember, and everyone who watched the show for helping us celebrate an incredible year of surfing.”
Fresh on the heels of clinching his first World Title, the North Shore’s own John Florence landed on top of the men’s chart for the third consecutive year. Florence also nabbed the Best Performance award for his part in Twelve, directed by Bill Ballard.
“It’s been one of the best years of my life,” said Florence. “I really couldn’t have done it without my mom, Nathan and Ivan. They’re the ones that have been there my whole life. It’s just been a crazy couple of years. It’s been amazing. Thank you.”
At the top of the women’s poll was fellow Hawaiian and three-time World Champion Carissa Moore, for her third win in the category.
“I didn’t really expect to be walking home as a SURFER Poll winner tonight, since I haven’t had that great of a year,” said Moore. “It’s a true honor and I want to thank all the fans out there for voting and SURFER, you did an incredible job with tonight’s event. You really stepped it up and thank you for finally having 10 spots for the women, that says a lot. I want to congratulate all of the Hawaiians — John John, Billy Kemper, Albee, Paige — it’s really cool to see my peers growing up doing amazing incredible things and making history.”
The prestigious Movie of the Year award went to Let’s Be Frank. Directed by Peter Hamblin, the quirky film, inspired by Wes Anderson and Quentin Tarantino as much as it was by old surf films, stars relatively unknown South African big-wave surfer Frank Solomon.
“I’d like to say this is a dream come true, but honestly I could have never dreamed this up,” said Solomon. “I came from a small village in the bottom of Africa. I grew up watching Taylor Steele movies. I’m not a very good surfer. Pretty sure everyone in this room can surf better than me. So, I’m just really grateful and humbled by the experience. With a lot of luck and a lot of hard work, dreams really can come true.”
2016 SURFER Awards Results
Men’s #1: John Florence
Women’s #1: Carissa Moore
Movie of the Year: Let’s Be Frank, Directed by Peter Hamblin, Starring Frank Solomon
Best Performance: John Florence, Twelve, Directed by Bill Ballard
Best Short: The Tempest, Directed by Jon Frank, Starring Stephanie Gilmore
Best Documentary: Distance Between Dreams, Directed by Rob Bruce, Starring Ian Walsh
Best Series: License to Chill, Directed by Joe Alani and Mason Ho, Starring Mason Ho
Best Barrel: Albee Layer, Jaws
Best Maneuver: Albee Layer
Heavy Water: Greg Long
A.I. Breakthrough Performer: Mason Ho
Agent of Change: Friends of Sunset Beach
Find additional details, images, video footage and more at SurferAwards.com from the exclusive awards ceremony at Turtle Bay Resort.
Special thanks to SURFER partners Nexen Tire, Martin Guitar,Banzai Bowls and Turtle Bay Resort for helping to bring the biggest night in surfing to life.
About SURFER
In 1960, SURFER began as the original surf magazine. With a long history of delivering provocative and insightful editorial features, revealing interviews and award-winning, state-of-the-art photography, SURFER remains the authoritative voice of the surfing world and thus earned the moniker “the bible of the sport.” Through its website, social media channels, magazine, and television programming, SURFER continues to be the most current and reliable source of information to the surf community, reaching more than 22-million active sports enthusiasts. SURFER is published by TEN: The Enthusiast Network. To learn more, visit surfermag.com
About TEN: The Enthusiast Network
TEN: The Enthusiast Network is the world’s premier transmedia network of enthusiast brands, such as MOTOR TREND, AUTOMOBILE, HOT ROD, SURFER, TRANSWORLD SKATEBOARDING, and GRINDTV. With more than 60 websites, 50 publications, 50 annual events, the Motor Trend OnDemandsubscription video-on-demand service, as well as the world’s largest automotive and action/adventure sports media platforms, TEN inspires enthusiasts to pursue their passions. For more information, visit enthusiastnetwork.com.
