Slater, Florence, and Moore earn top honors at 2011 SURFER Poll

December 07, 2011 by Nate Hoppes

For the second year running, Turtle Bay on the North Shore of Oahu played host to the biggest night in surfing, the 41st annual SURFER Poll Awards. The Top 10 men and Top 5 women–as voted by fans– were honored.

Kelly Slater took home his 17th SURFER Poll No. 1 in a year he won an unprecedented 11th world title. “The first one I won was in 1992,” says Kelly Slater. “I remember the cover shot was me, and it said Curren, Carroll, Potts’ names too. That was pretty mind-blowing at the time to win against those guys. Now I’m still inspired by the crew of guys coming up right now–Dane, Julian, Medina, John John.”

Dane Reynolds, the man in which Slater urged fans to vote as No.1 came a close second, followed by current world number two Owen Wright. The fans let the surfing world know they have not forgotten fallen surfer Andy Irons, as they voted him the No. 9 surfer along with his brother Bruce 10. Watch the emotional acceptance speach by the Irons family.

Recently crowned ASP World Champ Carissa Moore ousted two-time SURFER Poll No. 1 Stephanie Gilmore to take the top slot continuing her magical year.

“I’m still grasping the situation,” said a visibly shocked Carissa Moore, “but it’s amazing to win this award. It’s a great night in surfing and I’m so thankful for all my fans for voting for me.”

After an amazing year that included two Pipeline event wins, World Tour qualification, and most recently, a win at the Vans World Cup at Sunset, Oahu’s John John Florence was granted the prestigious Andy Irons Breakthrough Performer Award.

In the highly contested Movie of the Year category is was Globe’s film Year Zero directed by Joe Guglielmino taking home the award. The Best Documentary award was won by Splinters directed by Adam Pesce and the Best Cinematography award went to Keith Malloy’s Come Hell or High Water.

Everyone’s favorite category Worst Wipeout was awarded to Rodrigo Koxa for his gnarly wipeout during Teahupoo’s massive swell.

Here’s the complete 2011 SURFER Poll Results

Top 10 Men
1. Kelly Slater
2. Dane Reynolds
3. Owen Wright
4. Julian Wilson
5. Taj Burrow
6. Mick Fanning
7. Joel Parkinson
8. Jordy Smith
9. Andy Irons
10. Bruce Irons

Top 5 Women
1. Carissa Moore
2. Coco Ho
3. Stephanie Gilmore
4. Alana Blanchard
5. Sally Fitzgibbons

Andy Irons Breakthrough Performer
John John Florence

Movie of the Year
Year Zero