Surfline Press and News
PRESS RELEASE
Reef McIntosh Wins Surfline's Wave of the Winter Presented by Nike $25,000 Grand Prize
March 14, 2012
March 14, 2012, Huntington Beach, California/USA -- Reef McIntosh's hollow Off-the-Wall barrel ride earned top honor as Wave of the Winter for the 2011-12 North Shore season. McIntosh was awarded $25,000 for his wave, while cameraman, Lachlan McKinnon, earned $5,000 for capturing the memorable video. Out of the 21 finalists from this year's event, the expert judging panel, which included Gerry Lopez, Sunny Garcia, Ross Willliams, and Pancho Sullivan, unanimously named McIntosh the winner.
After a slow start to the season, McIntosh's ride on December 2nd was actually one of the first contenders of the four-month-long contest.
"We could see a big north set coming to Off-the-Wall," McIntosh remembers. "It almost capped at Second Reef so we knew it was going to be a big one. I was on a quad so I was hoping my 6'6" would hold on the bottom turn. It held and then it just took off. The more bottomed out it got, the faster the board went. I was tripping that I came out."
Like most winters, hundreds of mental waves were ridden this year on the North Shore. But the ultimate decision on the best one wasn't too difficult.
"It was unanimous," Head Judge, Gerry Lopez, explained. "Reef's wave was just so perfectly beautiful and his cool, collected mastery in riding it gave him the edge over the rest."
McIntosh arrived at LAX last night, where Surfline Editor, Mike Cianciulli, and Nike Global Surf Team Manager, Frankie D'Andrea, presented him with his $25,000 check. "I noticed they were filming me and I was like, 'Wait a second.' Then everyone came running out," a surprised McIntosh admitted. "$25 Gs -- it's going to the wedding fund, for sure. That wave happened so long ago that I've been waiting to find out who won for about three months. I don't know if I can go to bed now. I'm fired up!"
Wave of the Winter presenting sponsor, Nike, was proud to award the grand prize to McIntosh. "Reef's performance this winter showcases an athlete who's truly made for the moment," said Peter Jasienski, Nike Global Surf Brand Manager. "Congrats, Reef. See you next year."
Download a clip of Reef McIntosh's winning ride at Off-the-Wall.
Check back for the announcement of Clif Bar's Overall Performance award of $7,500 to the 2011-12 North Shore season's top standout -- $2,500 going to the surfer with an additional $5,000 donation made in their name to a local non-profit that benefits the community and/or environment.
Special thanks to Wave of the Winter Presented by Nike judges: Gerry Lopez, Sunny Garcia, Pancho Sullivan and Ross Williams and Contest Director, Darren Brilhart.
ABOUT SURFLINE/WAVETRAK, INC.
Headquartered in Huntington Beach, California, Surfline/Wavetrak, Inc.("the company") specializes in providing live and predicted ocean weather information, editorial content, and consulting services on web and mobile platforms to consumers, businesses, and government agencies worldwide through its three websites: Surfline.com, Buoyweather.com, and Fishtrack.com.
The company's online properties were visited by an average of 175,000 unique people per day and an average of 2,000,000 per month.
The Company offers paid premium subscription services. In addition to paid subscriptions, the Company also offers advertising and provides a range of marketing services designed to reach and connect with its users.
Media Contact
Stena Chang
(714) 374-0556 ext. 101
[email protected]
www.surfline.com
After a slow start to the season, McIntosh's ride on December 2nd was actually one of the first contenders of the four-month-long contest.
"We could see a big north set coming to Off-the-Wall," McIntosh remembers. "It almost capped at Second Reef so we knew it was going to be a big one. I was on a quad so I was hoping my 6'6" would hold on the bottom turn. It held and then it just took off. The more bottomed out it got, the faster the board went. I was tripping that I came out."
Like most winters, hundreds of mental waves were ridden this year on the North Shore. But the ultimate decision on the best one wasn't too difficult.
"It was unanimous," Head Judge, Gerry Lopez, explained. "Reef's wave was just so perfectly beautiful and his cool, collected mastery in riding it gave him the edge over the rest."
McIntosh arrived at LAX last night, where Surfline Editor, Mike Cianciulli, and Nike Global Surf Team Manager, Frankie D'Andrea, presented him with his $25,000 check. "I noticed they were filming me and I was like, 'Wait a second.' Then everyone came running out," a surprised McIntosh admitted. "$25 Gs -- it's going to the wedding fund, for sure. That wave happened so long ago that I've been waiting to find out who won for about three months. I don't know if I can go to bed now. I'm fired up!"
Wave of the Winter presenting sponsor, Nike, was proud to award the grand prize to McIntosh. "Reef's performance this winter showcases an athlete who's truly made for the moment," said Peter Jasienski, Nike Global Surf Brand Manager. "Congrats, Reef. See you next year."
Download a clip of Reef McIntosh's winning ride at Off-the-Wall.
Check back for the announcement of Clif Bar's Overall Performance award of $7,500 to the 2011-12 North Shore season's top standout -- $2,500 going to the surfer with an additional $5,000 donation made in their name to a local non-profit that benefits the community and/or environment.
Special thanks to Wave of the Winter Presented by Nike judges: Gerry Lopez, Sunny Garcia, Pancho Sullivan and Ross Williams and Contest Director, Darren Brilhart.
ABOUT SURFLINE/WAVETRAK, INC.
Headquartered in Huntington Beach, California, Surfline/Wavetrak, Inc.("the company") specializes in providing live and predicted ocean weather information, editorial content, and consulting services on web and mobile platforms to consumers, businesses, and government agencies worldwide through its three websites: Surfline.com, Buoyweather.com, and Fishtrack.com.
The company's online properties were visited by an average of 175,000 unique people per day and an average of 2,000,000 per month.
The Company offers paid premium subscription services. In addition to paid subscriptions, the Company also offers advertising and provides a range of marketing services designed to reach and connect with its users.
Media Contact
Stena Chang
(714) 374-0556 ext. 101
[email protected]
www.surfline.com
LATEST PRESS RELEASES
(10/22/15) Surfline Extends Portugal Surfing Coverage
(05/18/15) Surfline Launches Student Discount Program
(03/31/15) Jamie O'Brien Wins Oakley Wave of the Winter
(11/04/14) Koa Smith Wins GoPro of the World
