Wet ‘N’ Wild with Rockin’ Fig:

Just as expected, the Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards went big time. It was like the Oscars, but instead honored the guys who surf giant waves. The blue carpet was rolled out and the cameras were flashing and filming the whole scene.

Legendary surfers and shapers such as Rory Russell, a Pipeline standout years ago, Sunset carver Reno Abellira, premier shaper Rusty Preisendorfer, world champs Peter Townend and master of ceremonies Mark Occhilupo and premier wave forecaster Sean Collins were just a few of the celebrities on hand.

When everybody settled in their seats, some amazing footage of last year’s biggest rides started.

Here’s how it ended up: It was the year of the paddle-in, as Northern California’s Shawn Dollar set the new world record with a 55-footer for the Monster Paddle Award at Mavericks. The Best Male Overall Performance Award was won by Hawaii’s Shane Dorian for outstanding waves at Waimea, Mavs and Teahupoo, which he said might get him out of trouble for chasing swells and missing holidays and birthdays.

The Monster Tube Photo Award was won by Raimana Van Bastolaer of Tahiti for an unbelievable way-back giant barrel at Chopes.

The Biggest Wave Award went to former German wind surfer turned toe-in surfer Sebastian Steudtner for a monster 66-footer at Jaws, which looked bigger than that estimate; he was a speck on that wave.

As predicted, Brazil’s Maya Gabeira ran away with the Girls Best Performance Award with bombs at Dungeons in South Africa and some suck-outs at Teahupoo. And the Ride of the Year Award was taken by South Africa’s Grant “Twiggy” Baker for a 10-point ride in the Mavericks contest, a super-huge late drop that gave him the big prize of the night: the $50,000 check. Baker thanked El Niño for the largest surf remembered in years and offered to buy the first round of drinks for his accomplishment.

The A.S.P. world tour is in Brazil for the Billabong Pro Santa Catarina. Losing out in Round 2 were Huntington Beach’s Brett Simpson and Hawaiia’s Andy Irons and Dusty Payne. Still keeping it rolling are Kelly Slater, Dane Reynolds, Bobby Martinez, Pat and Tanner Gudauskas, and Aussies Mick Fanning and Taj Burrow as the action continues.

RICK FIGNETTI is a 10-time West Coast champion and a longtime KROQ-FM surfologist. He owns a surf shop on Main Street. You can reach him at (714) 536-1058.