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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, April 20, 2007

McNamara rewarded for 'Big Wave' rides

Advertiser Staff

Garrett McNamara of O'ahu's North Shore won two categories at the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards last week at Anaheim, Calif.

McNamara received the Men's Best Overall Performance Award for his numerous big-wave sessions during the 2006-07 season.

"I'm so stoked, I didn't expect to win it," he said. "I go out there and surf for fun, but on the other hand, I do try really hard."

McNamara also won the Monster Paddle In Award for paddling himself (without the aid of a personal watercraft) into a giant wave at Mavericks, Half Moon Bay, Calif., in December.

"That wave was the heaviest wave I ever had at Mavericks," he said.

McNamara received $20,000 — $15,000 for the Paddle In Award, and $5,000 for the Overall Performance Award. He was the only Hawai'i surfer to win a category.

The big winner was Ken Collins of Santa Cruz, Calif. He received $50,000 for winning the Ride of the Year Award for surfing a giant wave off Puerto Escondido, Mexico.

The Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards has been held every year since 2001 as a way to recognize and reward big-wave surfers.