Check out all the winners from the biggest night in wakeboarding — the 2011 TransWorld Wake Awards.
Check Out Award
Amateur or pro, this up-and-coming rider had the most impact in the last year and has poised himself to become a major player in the future of wakeboarding. Past Winners: ’06 Adam Errington | ’07 Jimmy LaRiche | ’08 Harley Clifford | ’09 Bob Soven | ’10 Steel Lafferty And The Winner Is: Shota Tezuka
Best Women’s Rider
This female ripper kills it in all aspects, including contests, exposure, photos, video sections and progressive riding. Past Winners: ’06 Dallas Friday | ’07 Amber Wing | ’08 Nicola Butler | ’09 Dallas Friday | ’10 Amber Wing And The Winner Is: Amber Wing
Best Wake Park Rider
The Best Wake Park Rider is a rider who dominated in the last 365 days at full-size cable parks as well as System 2.0 parks, considering contests, videos, magazine coverage, etc. This rider kills it on air tricks as well as rails, transfers, kickers, etc. He is also a great ambassador for this growing segment of our industry. Past Winners: ’10 Tom Fooshee And The Winner Is: Tom Fooshee
Best Rail Rider
The Best Rail Rider stands out most on all kinds of rails. This rider shows a good mix of technical and stylish riding, including contests, winch, PWC, cable, System 2.0 and web videos. Past Winners: ’06 Shane Bonifay | ’07 Keith Lidberg | ’08 J.D. Webb | ’09 J.D. Webb | ’10 Raphael Derome And The Winner Is: Marc Rossiter
Photographer of the Year
Photographer of the Year is someone who captured innovative, creative and inspiring images on a consistent basis all year, including cover shots, editorial exposure, advertisements and catalogs. Past Winners: ’06 Josh Letchworth | ’07 Joey Meddock | ’08 Winner Josh Letchworth | ’09 Bryan Soderlind | ’10 Joey Meddock And The Winner Is: Bryan Soderlind
Best Video Performance — Wakeboard
This is awarded to both the rider and producer, with consideration given to both the level of riding and filming/editing. Past Winners: ’06 Danny Harf, Counterfeit This | ’07 Randall Harris, Transgression | ’08 Danny Harf, Drive | ’09 Danny Harf, Out Of The Pond | ’10 Harley Clifford,_ Slick City_ And The Winner Is: Chris O’Shea, In Transit
Best Video Performance — Wakeskate
This is awarded to both the rider and producer, with consideration given to both the level of riding and filming/editing. Past Winners: ’07 Aaron Reed, N.A.R.L.A. | ’08 Danny Hampson, Volume Wakeskate Videos | ’09 Brian Grubb, Out of the Pond | ’10 Danny Hampson, Washed Up Before We Were Has Beens And The Winner Is: Andrew Pastura, More Than Machines
Best Web Video
The Best Web video is the voters’ favorite video that has come out on the Internet, considering the quality of filming/editing, riding and entertainment value. Past Winners: ATL Pro Tour Voiceover/Silas Thurman, Parks Bonifay and Kevin Henshaw And The Winner Is: Raphael Derome
Best Video
This award is based on the quality of video, editing, creativity and the level of riding it showcases. Past Winners: ’06 Danny Harf, Counterfeit This | ’07 Randall Harris, Transgression | ’08 Danny Harf, Drive | ’09 Danny Harf, Out of the Pond | ’10 Parks Bonifay Documentary/AVE And The Winner Is: More Than Machines
Best Wakeskater
The Best Wakeskater is someone who is most dominant, considering all aspects including lip tricks, wake moves, rails, contests, video sections and special events, with proficiency in PWC, boat, winch and cable riding. Past winners: ’06 Aaron Reed | ’07 Brian Grubb | ’08 Nick Tayor | ’09 Reed Hansen | ’10 Reed Hansen And The Winner Is: Ben Horan
The Legend
This rider has always pushed the wake industry and consistently contributed in multiple aspects to the betterment of wake and its lifestyle. This person has become synonymous with the sport. Past Winners: ’04 Scott Byerly | ’05 Shaun Murray l ’06 Darin Shapiro | ’07 Parks Bonifay | ’08 Zane Schwenk | ’09 Erik “Gator” Lutgert | ’10 Greg Nelson And The Winner Is: Thomas Horrell
Best Wakeboarder
The Best Wakeboarder is someone who rides better than everyone else and excels in every aspect of wakeboarding, from wake moves to rails to double-ups. Consideration should also be made for magazine exposure, cover shots, contest results, video sections and overall commitment to the sport on a daily basis. Past Winners: ’06 Danny Harf | ’07 Rusty Malinoski | ’08 Rusty Malinoski | ’09 Aaron Rathy | ’10 Harley Clifford And The Winner Is: Harley Clifford
Oakley Move Of The Year Awards
This award is for the single most impressive, innovative and progressive move pulled all year, with categories for wakeboarding, wakeskating and women.
Wakeskate
And The Winner Is: Stu Shinn, wake-to-wake backside flip
Mens
And The Winner Is: Erik Ruck, mute back mobe
