The 2013 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Surfing Awards were held at the QT Hotel in Surfers Paradise, Australia, on Friday, March 1, just a day before the world’s best surfing professionals, both male and female, are going to begin
their campaign for what is undoubtedly the most prestigious honour in the sport, the ASP World Title.
Held every year to honour the top performers of the previous year, the ASP World Surfing Awards is an evening when the professional surfers get the due acknowledgement for all the hard work that they had put into their surfing throughout the year.
Australia’s Joel Parkinson had been giving his 100 percent in the ASP World Tour for many years, but it was not until the 2012 ASP World Tour when he managed to go the distance and claim his maiden ASP World Title, a feat that surfers dream of accomplishing
all the time while growing up and entering the professional circuit.
The journey was a long and hard one for the 31-year-old Australian and thus finding him overwhelmed by emotion after receiving the crown last night was hardly surprising.
“It’s beautiful to have everyone here tonight,” Parkinson said. “We all come together and really celebrate last season amongst our friends and family. The new year, for me, begins tomorrow. Tonight, I just feel so fortunate to be up here and to be supported
by my beautiful family. I love them and am only here because of them.”
America’s Kelly Slater, an 11-time ASP World Champion, had to settle for a Runner-Up award this year, while Hawaii’s John John Florence took home the 2012 ASP Rookie of the Year honour for making a strong impact in his very first complete year surfing with
the elite.
Australia’s Stephanie Gilmore received the crown at the 2013 ASP World Surfing Awards as well, her fifth to date. Being one of the most dominating female in the sport, the 25-year-old surfer will surely be serving as a huge inspiration for all the young
females who dream of one day earning a name for themselves in surfing.
Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbons collected the ASP Women’s World Runner-Up award yet again, though she would surely be hoping to go all the way this year.
Hawaii’s Malia Manuel took home the ASP Women’s Rookie of the Year award for a superb performance despite finding herself pitted against an extremely talented throughout the course of the season.
With the latest edition of men’s and women’s elite tour to kick-off in less than 48 hours, one can safely bet on getting treated to a series of memorable performances, upsets and feats.
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