The spiritual home of European surfing awoke this morning to something of a headache, as an unseasonably large west swell bore down on the famous pine fringed coast of Les Landes and the dust settled on a night of high revelry at the Casino d’Hossegor. European pro surfers, surf industry bigwigs and assorted good time seekers enjoyed the stellar hospitality of the Casino late into the wee hours last night to celebrate the continued evolution of surfing on our shores, with online voters across Europe and beyond honouring their favourite Male and Female Surfers, Best Video Part, Best Photo, New Kid on the Block and Lifetime Achievement in the Inaugural Surf Europe Readers’ Choice Awards.

“I just want to thank everyone who voted for me,” a dapper M. Flores said after exiting the stage, “It means a lot not just to try to win contests but to be recognised by the public also. I’m super stoked. I think this is a great night for European surfing, for all of us.”
Flores took the top award from TIAGO PIRES (POR) in second place with the voters, who, proudly accepting the honours in front of his mum also echoed Jeremy’s sentiments about the growing strength of the European collective. Fellow Top 45 surfers MIKY PICON (FRA) and ARITZ ARANBURU (EUK) took 3rd and 4th spots respectively, with MARLON LIPKE (DEU) coming home in 5th place with the voters, recognizing his recent stellar performances on the WQS as he attempts to be the first German to qualify for ASP World Tour.

MARC LACOMARE (FRA) took out the New Kid On The Block award as he continues his impressive rise into the pro ranks, the local teenager receiving huge applause from a packed house, as did local charger and French 1988 National Champion SEB ST JEAN (FRA) who picked up a well-deserved Lifetime Achievement award in recognition of decades of performance surfing and dedication to the powerful surf of Hossegor and surrounds. The ever smooth surfing of JONATHAN GONZALEZ (ESP) was a clear winner for Best Video Part for his section in Euroforce the Actionmentary, the under-spoken Canarian’s acceptance speech unsurprisingly being the shortest of the evening, while Biarritz teen sensation LEE ANN CURREN won the no.1 Awards for the Ladies.

Full Honours List:

Men

FLORES

PIRES

PICON

ARANBURU

LIPKE

BOAL

BOUREZ

GONZALEZ

BEVEN

MUJICA

Women

LEE ANN CURREN

PAULINE ADO

CAROLINE SARRAN

NKOTB

MARC LACOMARE

Lifetime Achievement

SEBASTIEN ST JEAN

Best Photo

CARLOS PINTO/PATRICK BEVEN, Coxos. (cover SE58)

Best Video Part

JONATHAN GONZALEZ, EUROFORCE THE ACTIONMENTARY

www.surfeuropemag.com

Extra special thanks to MC BOX EVENTS, DAZ, ROLAND ROCK FOOD, BACARDI, TRUC DE FOU, FOSTERS as well as everyone who voted and continues to support wave riding on European shores.