Greg Long’s XXL Awards scorecard:

A few nights back, the WSL Big Wave Awards went down at the Grove of Anaheim in Long Beach, CA. As expected, the world’s elite rhino hunters gathered after days of Chilean charging (which you didn’t see), for a night of well-deserved recognition for their heroics. Prior to the event, Stab asked eight-time XXL Awards winner, Greg Long, for his winning predictions. Now, let’s check his math… Ride of the YearWhat Greg said: “I think that Shane (Dorian) will probably take it out.”What happened: Shane did indeed take the cake with his massive air-drop-to-tube at Zicatela, Puerto Escondido. Score one point to Gregory. PaddleWhat Greg said: “My pick would be Twiggy for his wave at Jaws for a number of reasons. Size wise, we’re gonna see all of the nominated waves within a few feet of each other, height-wise. He was the only person who successfully rode his wave.”What happened: Greg’s first miss. Turns out, Jamie Mitchell took the win. But, that’s not overly surprising. In fact, Greg pointed out that he’d like to see the completion of rides be included in the judging criteria, not that it is included. So, while he liked Twiggy’s completed Jaws bomb, the judges preferred Mitchell’s Mavs drop. Biggest WavesWhat Greg said: “I honestly have no idea, but it will come from Nazare. I’m sure of that.”What happened: We’re not sure if that prediction warrants a full point, but it was certainly accurate enough. Sebastian Steudtner’s Nazare mountain took top honors, here. With three of five nominations birthed at the Portuguese enigma, this win comes as no surprise. TubeWhat Greg said: “Matahi Drollet’s wave from Tahiti. No doubt in my mind that it’s the biggest, craziest wave in that category.”What happened: When Greg doesn’t have a doubt in his mind, neither do the judges, and Matahi Drollet took the cheddar. WipeoutWhat Greg said: “Jamie Mitchell’s wave from Mavericks. That was the heaviest thing I’ve ever seen.”What Happened: Apparently the judges have seen heavier things, one of which was Benjamin Sanchis’ Nazare left-gone-wrong. Without doubting it’s heaviness (seems the closest thing to an avalanche surfers will ever get), it’s tough to gauge how rocked Sanchis got from the Nazare cliffs. Alternate angles, please! Overall PerformanceWhat Greg said: “I would say Twiggy will probably take that one. He had a really good run in the Southern Hemisphere, and then also had some great performances this winter over at Jaws and a couple of the outer reefs.”What happened: Twiggy may have had a year chalk-full of charging across hemispherical divides, but apparently Shane had a better one, and took home a second award for his efforts. Woman’s PerformanceWhat Greg said: “I would pick Paige Alms for her wave at jaws. That was the single greatest big wave ever ridden by a female.” What happened: Greg admitted that if the criteria were followed strictly, basing the win off of the number of big waves globally surfed by one single lady, then he’d have picked Keala for the W. But, like Greg, the judges must have been inclined to recognize the best big wave in history of female surfing.  It’d be a sham if they didn’t!