Top big-wave surfers to earn recognition for remarkable year of highs and lows

Contributed by Pete Thomas

Friday, April 23, 2010 11:43am

The world's premier big-wave surfers spend most of each year traveling to wherever the waves are largest--and the past 12 El Nio-supercharged months have featured a steady supply of some of the largest swells in recent history.

Though most of these athletes are paid by corporate sponsors, they're driven strongly by the mere desire to experience the thrill of riding these monstrous swells.

But deep down they're competitors, too, and they also try to outperform each..