The individual ‘Biggest Wave’ prize was given to Michel Velasco.   But was closely challenged by surfers such as David Echague and Asier Muniain.   This year it was Dani Pablos who took the ‘Worst Wipe-out’ award, after falling on a spectacular wave.  Whilst French Surfer Pilou Ducalme perhaps had the most harrowing of moments.  After taking a lefthander, Pilou ending up getting washed directly into the cliffs below the spectators.  He kept his cool and just edged around the rocks and into the channel, narrowly avoiding disaster.  He received huge cheers from the worried spectators, once he exited the danger zone unscathed.

When the results were announced in ascending order, it was British Quiksilver and Gravis surfer Gabe Davies who rode a series of solid sets successfully and claimed the ‘Best Surfer’ first prize.  The judges decided Gabe took off deeply and critically enough on a series of solid set waves to claim the top prize.   “I was stoked just to get an invite to the ‘La Vaca Gigante III’ Event and to surf alongside such respected surfers,” he said.  ”Coming here for the first time was never about competition for me, its more like a celebration of surfing and an event which shows respect to all those surfers who continue to push themselves and the sport in ever more challenging situations.   This wasn’t the biggest that ‘La Vaca’ has been surfed, but it remains a challenging wave worthy of respect.  You have to commit to paddling into the deep-water take off.  It has massive power behind it.

Thanks to my sponsors  Quiksilver and Gravis.  Big thanks to event organisers Oscar and Pedro and all the competitors.

The event was sponsored by Quiksilver and presented by Redbull.

For more information check www.tow-incenter.com/lavaca/

The top Video Awards were selected by a jury of surf film experts including major surf filmmakers, World Champion surfers, members of the SURFER Magazine editorial staff, and additional respected industry leaders. Speaking about the award, the Jury commented that WAVERIDERS take on the surf culture from an Irish perspective was “the most gripping and artful story of the bunch”.

Producer Margo Harkin said of the win “It was pure joy watching Joel’s face last night as he picked up Best Documentary in the Surfer Poll Awards in California. This is just huge for us as America is hard to crack in any film genre and this award automatically brings our film to a much wider audience around the world. It’s another great day for Irish filmmaking talent.”

There will be a live webcast from the Grove of Anaheim in Los Angeles on Tuesday 15th September 2009 at 7pm (PST) / 2am (GMT) on the Surfer Poll website. Make sure to tune in and keep your fingers crossed for Waveriders!

Sean has won a weekend of surfing lessons with Richie Fitzgerald of Surfcoach Ireland. Also included in the prize is accomodation at TurfnSurf and a fantastic BIC surfboard.

Hope you have a great weekend on the waves Sean, and don’t forget to come back and tell us how you got on! Pictures and videos are always welcome

Head on over to www.lairishfilm.com for more details!

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