ASB MAGAZINE: Finalists representing the best of the surf industry from 2019 were honoured at the 16th Annual SIMA Awards ceremony at The Observatory in Santa Ana, Calif. Nearly 300 attendees from surf companies, specialty retail shops and friends of the industry were in attendance to cheer on and celebrate the outstanding innovations and contributions made to the industry by the 86 finalists.
The SIMA Awards finalists and winners were recognized throughout the ceremony, hosted by Mike Shumard. Held at The Observatory for the second consecutive year, the venue continues to be the perfect setting to celebrate the industry’s best brands, products, retailers and media.
As the only awards program of its kind, the goal of the SIMA Awards is to identify the surf industry’s most influential companies and products and recognize their efforts to advance and grow the industry over the past year. The following companies were recognized in 19 categories for the 2019 calendar year. The evening was made possible by Surf Expo, Audi and Klarna who supported the event with generous sponsorships.
WINNERS FROM THE 16th ANNUAL SIMA AWARDS
Product Categories
Accessory Product of the Year
WINNER: Surf Sessions by Surfline
Other Category Finalists:
FinPuller by FinPuller
Search GPS2 Watch by Rip Curl
Surf Boot Mid by Vans
The 4ocean Bracelet by 4ocean
Environmental Product of the Year
WINNER: The 4ocean Bracelet by 4ocean
Other Category Finalists:
Billabong Recycler by Billabong
Men’s & Women’s Yulex Wetsuits by Patagonia
Algae Traction by Slater Designs
Upcycled Coconut Boardshort Collection by Vissla
Footwear Product of the Year
WINNER: UltraRange Hi DL MTE by Vans
Other Category Finalists:
Alapa Li by Olukai
Rivi Slide by Quiksilver
Cushion Bounce Collection by Reef
Pair O Dice by Sanuk
Eyewear Product of the Year
WINNER: JJF12 by Electric
Other Category Finalists:
Sampan by Costa Sunglasses
Rob Machado Resin Collection by Dragon
OMAR by Otis Eyewear
Wetsuit of the Year
WINNER: Infiniti LTD by XCEL Wetsuits
Other Category Finalists:
Hyperfreak Series by O’Neill Wetsuits
Flashbomb Heat Seeker by Rip Curl
7 Seas Wetsuit Collection by Sisstrevolution
7 Seas Wetsuit Collection by Vissla
Surfboard Categories
Performance Shortboard Model of the Year
WINNER: Cymatic by Slater Designs
Other Category Finalists:
Seaside by Firewire Surfboards
Black Baron by JS Industries
Astro Pop by Pyzel
419Fish by Rusty Surfboards
Alternative Surfboard Model of the Year
WINNER: Shadow by Pyzel
Other Category Finalists:
Monsta Box Hyfi by JS Industries
The Blade by Rusty Surfboards
FRK by Slater Designs
Disco Inferno by Surftech x Sharp Eye
Men’s Categories
Men’s Marketing Campaign of the Year
WINNER: Rising Seas by Vissla
Other Category Finalists:
Generations of Quiksilver by Quiksilver
Cushion Bounce Collection by Reef
Vol 17: Scotland “Songs of the Scuttled” by Roark
Outside the Lines by Vans
Men’s Apparel Brand of the Year
WINNER: Roark
Other Category Finalists:
Billabong
RVCA
Salty Crew
Vissla
Men’s Boardshort Brand of the Year
WINNER: Billabong
Other Category Finalists:
O’Neill
Roark
RVCA
Vissla
WOMEN’S
Women’s Marketing Campaign of the Year
WINNER: My Bikini by Rip Curl
Other Category Finalists:
Sincerely Jules, A Bikini Kind of Life by Billabong Women’s
Grit Meets Grace by O’Neill Women’s
Cushion Bounce Collection by Reef
Make Waves Move Mountains by ROXY
Women’s Apparel Brand of the Year
WINNER: Billabong Women’s
Other Category Finalists:
O’Neill Women’s
Rip Curl
Sisstrevolution
Women’s Swim Brand of the Year
WINNER: Billabong Women’s
Other Category Finalists:
O’Neill Women’s
Rip Curl Swim
ROXY SISTER Collection
Seea
Overall Categories
Breakout Brand of the Year
WINNER: Salty Crew
Other Category Finalists:
Buell Wetsuits
Otis Eyewear
Simbi
Sisstrevolution
Media Category
Consumer Media Feature of the Year
WINNER: The Pick Up by Stab Magazine
Other Category Finalists:
Once Upon a Time in New Zealand by BeachGrit
Handmade 2 by Surfer
RETAIL
Retailer of the Year – East Coast
WINNER: Island Water Sports (Deerfield Beach FL)
Other Category Finalists:
BC Surf & Sport (Fort Lauderdale FL)
Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Co. (Hampton NH)
Heritage Surf & Sport (Ocean City NJ)
17th Street Surf Shop (Virginia Beach VA)
Retailer of the Year – Inland America
WINNER: BC Surf & Sport (Denver CO)
Other Category Finalists:
Benjamin Surf n Skate (Corpus Christi TX)
Tyler’s (Fort Worth TX)
Retailer of the Year – West Coast
WINNER: Hansen Surfboards (Encinitas CA)
Other Category Finalists:
Huntington Surf & Sport (Huntington Beach CA)
Jack’s Surfboards (Huntington Beach CA)
Spyder Surf (Hermosa Beach CA)
Val Surf (Valley Village CA)
Retailer of the Year – Hawaii
WINNER: T&C Surf Designs (Al Moana, HI)
Other Category Finalists:
HIC/AM Surf (Ala Moana, HI)
Hi-Tech Surf Sports (Kahului, HI)
About the SIMA Awards
Introduced in 2003, the goal of the SIMA Awards is to identify the surf industry’s most influential companies and recognize them for their efforts to advance and grow the industry over the past year. Eligible SIMA members and specialty retailers are able to enter their brand and products in the appropriate categories. Entries are reviewed and voted on by SIMA members and a select list of top specialty retailers. The outcome of the voting determines the five finalists in each category. The top finalist in each category based on points awarded in voting is the winner. For detailed information on the voting process, visit https://sima.com/award-entry-nomination-voting-process/.
About SIMA
The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is the official working trade association of surf industry suppliers. Founded in 1989, SIMA is a non-profit organization that serves to promote awareness of the surf industry and participation in the sport of surfing through public relations efforts and a variety of services, educational programs and research. In addition, SIMA actively supports oceanic environmental efforts through its 501(c)(3) charitable environmental foundation, the SIMA Environmental Fund. In the past 29 years, SIMA’s Environmental Fund has raised more than $7 million for environmental groups seeking to protect the world’s oceans, beaches and waves. The SIMA Humanitarian Fund, also a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, was established to award grants to various surf or boardsport related social and humanitarian non-profit organizations whose efforts are focused on improving the quality of life, health and/or welfare of people. Since 2004 the SIMA Humanitarian Fund has raised and donated more than $1.7 million to surf-related non-profit humanitarian organizations. For more information regarding SIMA, please visit www.sima.com.
