Yuck
Wipeout of the Year might be the award that best sums up what makes big wave surfing special. Paddle or tow into big scary wave. Lose battle with big scary wave. Come back to the surface (thankfully). Collect yourself, count your blessings, possibly high five a few people. Turn around and declare “Ok, let’s go get another one.”
Niccolo Porcella did just that back in July, getting sucked into the nastiest Teahupo’o spill ever. It was the beginning of Porcella’s session, and the guy was still pumped on enough adrenaline to not let that end his day. At the time it seemed like nobody would ever take a tumble in the same realm as Niccolo’s. And then El Niño showed up, giving us more car wrecks we couldn’t turn away from. Remember Tom Dosland at Jaws? Garrett McNamara at Mavs? These all made the list too. And thankfully every one of these chargers is safe and sound today. So here are your five nominees for the 2016 TAG HEUER Wipeout of the Year:
Matt Becker at Mavs – February, 2016
Air drops are cool. Getting launched over the handle bars after an air drop at Maverick’s? Not so cool.
Pedro Calado at Puerto Escondido – May, 2015
Ironically, this south swell stormed up the Pacific as the 2015 XXL Awards night was underway in Anaheim. Pedro chose the party down south at Puerto Escondido over the one in Orange County. This was his “pay off.”
Tom Dosland at Jaw – January, 2016
You have to wonder how this would have turned out had Dosland not opted to abandon ship while he was hung up on that lip. What was going through his mind on the ride down – hanging upside down, dangling from his board like a big wave yo-yo? He certainly had a lot of time to rehash that decision before the lip jumped on his back.
Garrett McNamara at Mavs – January, 2016
Few wipeouts are scarier than when you’re unable to break the surface. McNamara skipping across a Mavericks bomb like a tiny pebble is absolutely nightmarish.
Niccolo Porcella at Teahupo’o – July, 2015
Can you think of a wipeout that better defines the term “spin cycle?” Only, Porcella’s wipeout wasn’t some playful tumble. It was followed by getting top-roped WWE style…by a monster truck…a really pissed off monster truck.
Editor’s Note: The winner will be announced at this year’s Big Wave Awards on April 23rd at The Grove Theater in Anaheim.
