WHO: The SURFER Poll will be hosted by sports commentator and X Games personality Sal Masekela. The top contenders for the men's award is between last year's winner and current WCT points leader Kelly Slater and last year's second-place winner, current world champion and recent U.S. Open winner Andy Irons. Other nominees include: Bruce Irons, CJ Hobgood, Damien Hobgood, Kalani Robb, Laird Hamilton, Rob Machado, Taj Burrow and Tom Curren. Women nominees are: Bethany Hamilton, Carissa Moore, Chelsea Georgeson, Keala Kennelly, Layne Beachley, Lisa Andersen, Megan Abubo, Melanie Bartels, Rochelle Ballard and Sofia Mulanovich.
Up-and-coming pro surfer, the ultra-charismatic Alex Gray will host the Video Awards, given in eight categories. A sneak peek into just a few of the nominees, include: Kelly Slater from "A Broke Down Melody" for "Best Performance by a Male" Shane Dorian from "Solid" for "Guts for Glory" Layne Beachley from "Life in the Fast Layne" for "Best Performance by a Female" Damien Hobgood from "Blackwater" for "Worst Wipeout"
The other Video Award categories are: "Most Radical Maneuver," "Best Tube Ride," "Best Male Performance," "Best Cinematography," "Photo of the Year" and "Video of the Year." Big Wednesday star William Katt and stunt double/surf legend Peter Townend, actress Nia Peeples, motocross legend Jeremy McGrath and reigning supercross champion Ricky Carmichael are just a few of the big names on hand to deliver the awards.
Past presenters, performers and attendees include: big-wave surfing legends Laird Hamilton and Gerry Lopez, Kathy Kohner-Zuckerman (the real life Gidget), members of the Foo Fighters, Kelly Osbourne, Jack Johnson, Chris Isaak, Bruce Brown (The Endless Summer) and Sanoe Lake (Blue Crush).
WHEN: Tuesday, September 13, 2005
WHERE: The Grove at Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, Calif.
MORE: Although attendance is by invitation only, the event will also be covered exclusively on www.surfermag.com and broadcast for the third consecutive year in a one-hour television special on FUEL TV. Check www.fuel.tv for airdates and times. For more event information visit: http://surfermag.com/surferpoll/
