Awards : EuroSIMA Surf Industry Awards

Brigitte Darrigrand

The 2013 Waterman's Ball, the annual European surf industry gala event took place at the casino in Hossegor.

Organized by EuroSIMA, the European boardsports industry manufacturers' association, the Waterman's Ball aims to federate the boardsports industry and to raise funds for the association's sustainability projects.

The dress code this year for the 250 guests and attendees (CEOs, representatives of public institutions, boardsports celebrities, pro surfers…) was "Guinguette".

It was also the perfect opportunity to hold the EuroSIMA Surf Industry Awards ceremony, which honors and recognizes the outstanding contribution of companies, athletes and individuals who play an active role in helping develop the boardsports industry in Europe.

It was an entertaining evening for everyone in the boardsports industry, full of networking and interaction.

Innvoatrion Award to FCS

Lifetime Achievement Award

This year, the Lifetime Achievement Award went to Brigitte Darrigrand for her active contribution in helping develop surfing and the boardsports industry and culture in Europe. Indeed, along with Harry Hodge, John Winship and Jeff Hakman, she was one of the founders of Na Pali, the company at the origin of Quiksilver in Europe.

Innovation Award

Put together by the EuroSIMA Cluster, a panel of experts was the jury that decided on which company should receive the 2013 Innovation Award and the associated 5 000 Euros prize. This year's winner of the award is FCS, for its brand new screwless system for fins. The FCSII is an innovative system in which the fin is blocked in the plug, which replaces the old method that uses screws.  Thanks to this innovation, fins can therefore now be attached easily in a matter of seconds.

Brand of the year to Volcom

Brand of the Year Award

BIC Sport was awarded for its performance over the 2012/2013 season. In 2013, BIC Sport sales have indeed increased by a solid 15%. In addition, 95% of the company's products are manufactured in Brittany, France using eco-friendly methods. Since the company's creation in 1979, BIC has made surfing accessible to the masses, selling over 100 000 units of the 7'3 Mini Malibu board. Today, the company is also a leading brand in the stand up paddle market.

European Athletes of the Year

Justine dupont and Nicolas Vonrupp

Justine Dupont was named Female Athlete of the Year, while the Male Athlete of the Year Award went to Nicolau Von Rupp in recognition of their influence on the European surf scene and their visibility in European boardsports media. These athletes won the award based on results from the “Ride O'Meter”, a tool which analyzes athlete visibility in over 30 European boardsports magazines.

Volcom won the 2013 European Surf Ad Campaign of the Year Award for its creative angle in the "Embrace the Strange" campaign.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH: the Conseil Général des Landes, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Landes, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bayonne Pays Basque, MACS, Ispo, the Landes School of Design, Boardsport Source magazine, and Carlsberg.

PHOTOS CREDITS: Wetfeetstudio
Source eurosima