Mark Mathews has conquered Australia's Surfing Life Oakley Big Wave Awards. The big wave rider has picked up his second "Biggest Wave" in three years. The announcement was made at the Bondi Pavilion in Australia.
While running business seminars in New York City, Mathews received a big wave alert from Western Australia: in 48 hours, a storm swell would mean huge walls of water.
So, he decided to kick off a 48-hour travel to the other side of the world.
It was worth it. A second $20,000 check and another glorious wave for his endless surfing career.
The winner of the "Biggest Wave" at Australia's Surfing Life Oakley Big Wave Awards surfed "The Right" with a freshly torn knee ligament.
The "Biggest Paddle-in Ride" was conquered by Dean Bowen, while the "Biggest Slab" award went to Cale Grigson from Denmark. "Biggest Paddle-in Ride" was taken by 20-year-old surfer Dean Bowen.
A "Special Recognition" award went to Jon Dwyer, Bill Morris, and Russell Ord.
They were responsible for saving lives. Ord pulled Jacob Trette at Mavericks. Dwyer and Morris saved lifeguard surfer Kobi Graham off Cape Solander in southern Sydney.
Finally, the "Photographic Shooter" award went to Calum Macauley, who shot Mathews and Grigson’s winning rides.
Macauley also shared the "Slab Photo" award with Kerby Brown, while filmmaker Tim Bonython took the honors for recording Dean Bowen’s win.