Words from Riptide:- “The people have spoken — Ben Player is your 2013 Riptide Magazine Bodyboarder of the Year! Congratulations to the legend from Avalon, whose flawless year ensured he took out the number one spot and was handed $1,000 from Riptide for his efforts. It was not only the sport’s top riders who voted Benny number one, but you, the readers, via the Reader Poll component. BP provided us a host of epic video parts and online clips this year, but he also destroyed the contest scene, taking out both the Pipeline and Arica Chilean Challenges to currently sit in equal top spot on the IBA World Tour. It’s not hard to see why the voting was unanimous.

Stay tuned to the Riptide site over the coming weeks, as we announce the top five nominees for eight other categories — Women’s Bodyboarder of the Year, Dropkneer of the Year, Grom of the Year, Craziest Wave of the Year, Biggest Move of the Year, DVD/Film of the Year, Clip/Podcast of the Year and Photographer of the Year — in the lead-up to the winners announcement in Riptide #197 (on sale Thursday, December 12). Who do you have your money on?

Thanks to Michael Jennings/Adventure Productions for editing the clip — piecing together some of Benny’s finest moments of the past 12 months, plus Ben’s reaction to his surprise crowning in front of friends and family this afternoon. We’d also like to thank World Bodyboarders for hosting the shindig, Toby Player and Bodyboard King for helping us scheme it, and the following legends for providing us extra footage: David Wayland and Seamus Makim from IBA and Geordie Tarren.”