Behold the wipeout, a dramatic event no surfer wants to experience, especially in giant waves. But one that spectators--human nature being what it is--will watch repeatedly if given a chance. Below you can view perhaps the five most amazing wipeouts to have been captured on video during the past 12 months, involving elite pro surfers who accept such thrashings as risks of their trade. Each became an unwilling finalist in the wipeout-of-the-year category of the end-of-season Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards, to be announced next Friday. Only one will emerge victorious in this "lighthearted nod to the most spectacular unsuccessful ride of the last year," as an XXL news release states. But all will be cheered equally when footage is reviewed during the awards ceremony. Enjoy:

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