LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. (December 5, 2018) – The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is proud to announce the nominees for the 2018 SIMA Awards, a program that strives to identify the surf industry’s most influential and innovative companies and recognize them for their efforts to advance and grow the industry in 2018.
Now in its fifteenth year, the SIMA Awards is the only awards program that gives the surf industry the opportunity to recognize their peers for their outstanding contributions to the industry. Regular, Board Builder, and applicable Associate SIMA members were given the opportunity to enter their own brands and products for consideration in qualifying categories.
Additionally, specialty retailers that carry surf products with 15 doors or less will be able to enter one of their storefronts for consideration in the four Retailer of the Year categories. Entries were then reviewed and voted upon by a nominating panel of experts from both surf industry manufacturers and retailers. The outcome of the nominating panel votes determined the final nominees in each category. Winners of these categories will be determined by a final vote open to all SIMA member companies, as well as specialty retailers. The main contact at each SIMA member company can expect information via email on December 5th for final voting.
This year, the following outstanding products, brands, media and specialty retailers will be recognized as the nominees in the 19 SIMA Award categories (nominees listed in alphabetical order).
2018 SIMA AWARDS NOMINEES
PRODUCT
Accessory Product of the Year
Awarded to the accessory product style or collection (whether a single product or multiple products featuring the same technology or attributes) at retail between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018 that featured the most exciting innovation, design or appeal. Accessory products such as watches, hardgoods accessories (fins, leashes, etc.), headphones, socks, and other accessories other than eyewear can be considered.
EVAC by Billabong
FCS Freedom Leash by FCS
Unbound series pack & tote by Hydro Flask
The Regulus by Nixon
HIGHLINE AIRLIFT VEST by QUIKSILVER
SearchGPS 2 by Rip Curl
Drylock Boot by XCEL Wetsuits
Environmental Product of the Year
Awarded to the most exciting, appealing and/or innovative environmental surf product style or collection (whether a single product or multiple products featuring the same technology or attributes) at retail between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018. Consider apparel, footwear, accessory, wetsuit, surfboard or any other surf-related product that was created to lessen the impact on the environment, whether through its manufacturing process, materials or usage of the product itself.
Recycler Boardshorts by Billabong
Untangled Collection by Costa Sunglasses
MIZU 360 Personal Filtration and Purification System by Mizu
Men’s & Women’s Fall 18 Yulex Wetsuits by Patagonia
QUIKSILVER X REPREVE BOARDSHORTS by QUIKSILVER
The Eco Leash by Slater Designs
Upcycled Coconut Boardshort by Vissla
Footwear Product of the Year
Awarded to the footwear product style or collection (whether a single product or multiple products featuring the same technology or attributes) at retail between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018 that featured the most exciting design, appeal or innovation.
Nalukai Kapa Boot by OluKai
QUIKSILVER TRAVEL OASIS SANDAL by QUIKSILVER
CUSHION BOUNCE by REEF
Chiba Quest by Sanuk
UltraRange Rapidweld by Vans
Eyewear Product of the Year
Awarded to the eyewear product style or collection (whether a single product or multiple products featuring the same technology or attributes) at retail between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018 that featured the most exciting design, appeal or innovation.
Untangled Collection by Costa Sunglasses
Baile H20 by Dragon
John John Signature Series by Electric
ROVE Polarized Collection by Kreedom Eyewear by Fortress
Latch Key by Oakley
A Day Late by OTIS Eyewear
Wetsuit of the Year
Awarded to the wetsuit style or collection (whether a single product or multiple products featuring the same technology or attributes) at retail between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018) that featured the most exciting design, appeal or innovation.
Furnace Revolution by Billabong
HyperFreak Series by O’Neill
Men’s R2 Yulex Front-Zip Full Suit by Patagonia
Flashbomb Heat Seeker by Rip Curl
Seea x Yulex Collection by Seea
7 Seas Wetsuit by Vissla
Comp X by XCEL Wetsuits
SURFBOARD
Performance Shortboard Model of the Year
Awarded to the shortboard model available to customers from January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2018 that best catered to the competition-minded customer through exciting design, appeal and/or innovation.
Fever by Channel Islands Surfboards
SKX by Firewire Surfboards
Monsta Box HYFI by JS Industries
The Ghost by Pyzel Surfboards
SD by Rusty Surfboards
Cymatic by Slater Designs
Disco Inferno Dual-Core by Surftech x Sharp Eye
Alternative Surfboard Model of the Year
Awarded to the surfboard model available to customers from January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2018 with the most exciting design, appeal and/or innovation that does not qualify as a performance shortboard. Examples include, but are not limited to: longboards, fishes, mini Simmons, quads, gliders, single-fins, and mid lengths.
Rocket Wide Spine-Tek (construction) by Channel Islands Surfboards
Go Fish by Firewire Surfboards
Chupacabra by Rusty Surfboards
Modern 2 by Surftech x Sharp Eye
Captains Log by Wave Riding Vehicles
MEN’S
Men’s Marketing Campaign of the Year
Awarded to the men’s apparel, footwear, wetsuit, hardgoods or accessory brand that produced the most creative marketing campaign in 2018. Consider men’s brands that displayed a creative, cohesive and consistent brand message in areas such as digital, social media, print, and/or point-of-purchase materials. Campaign must have first appeared in the market between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018.
Life’s Better in Boardshorts by Billabong
QUIKSILVER GENERATIONS OF ADVENTURE by QUIKSILVER
BEACH FREELY by REEF
Kingston Deadbeats by Roark
Uncover the Uncommon by Stance
UltraRange by Vans
Creators & Innovators by Vissla
Men’s Apparel Brand of the Year
Awarded to the men’s apparel brand that featured the most exciting designs, increased its brand appeal, and grew its business between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018.
Billabong
O’Neill
QUIKSILVER
Roark
RVCA
Vans
Vissla
Men’s Boardshort Brand of the Year
Awarded to the men’s boardshort brand that featured the most exciting designs, appeal, and innovation between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018.
Billabong
O’Neill
QUIKSILVER
Rip Curl
Roark
RVCA
Vissla
WOMEN’S
Women’s Marketing Campaign of the Year
Awarded to the women’s apparel, swimwear, footwear, wetsuit, hardgoods or accessory brand that produced the most creative marketing campaign in 2018. Consider women’s brands that displayed a creative, cohesive and consistent brand message in areas such as digital, social media, print, and/or point-of-purchase materials. Campaign must have first appeared in the market between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018.
Billabong Women’s A Bikini Kinda Life – New Wave Campaign by Billabong Women’s
Elevate by Electric Women’s
OCEAN IS CALLING by O’NEILL
BEACH FREELY by REEF
Make Waves Move Mountains by ROXY
Generations by Seea
Uncover the Uncommon by Stance
Women’s Apparel Brand of the Year
Awarded to the women’s apparel brand that featured the most exciting designs, increased its brand appeal, and grew its business between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018.
Billabong Women’s
O’NEILL
Rip Curl
RVCA
Vans
Women’s Swim Brand of the Year
Awarded to the women’s swim brand that featured the most exciting designs, increased its brand appeal, and grew its business between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018.
Billabong
L*SPACE
O’NEILL
Rip Curl
ROXY
RVCA
Seea
OVERALL
Breakout Brand of the Year
Recognizing the small- to mid-size men’s or women’s brand that experienced break out growth between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018. Consider surfboard, apparel, footwear, wetsuit and accessory brands that had a breakthrough year through product development and/or increased brand recognition and appeal. Nominated companies can be new or established brands, but must have annual U.S. sales of at least $1 million and no more than $10 million (previous winners of this category are no longer eligible for five years).
Duvin Design Co.
Jetty
Maui and Sons
MIZU
OTIS Eyewear
Seea
MEDIA
Consumer Media Feature of the Year
Awarded to the print, digital, or multi-platform feature, collection, or series in a consumer-facing print or online media outlet that displayed the most creativity in concept, content, and/or execution, that best represented surfing as a cultural force, best represented the essence of surf culture, and best served the surf consumer, between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018.
The Electric Acid Surfboard Test by Stab Magazine
Shed Sessions by SURFER
Wave of the Winter by Surfline/Wavetrak Inc.
Alternativa by The Inertia
RETAIL
“Specialty retail” is defined as a stand-alone store or retailer with 15 doors or less that carries surf products. Stores owned by surf brands/manufacturers are not eligible.
Retailer of the Year – East Coast
Awarded to the East Coast specialty retail storefront (in the following states: ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, and PR) carrying surf products that featured the best merchandising, customer experience, innovation, creativity, and community involvement between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018.
Aqua East Surf Shop (Neptune Beach, FL)
BC Surf & Sport (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Co. (Hampton, NH)
Heritage Surf & Sports (Sea Isle City, NJ)
REAL Watersports (Waves, NC)
Ron Jon Surf Shop (Cocoa Beach, FL)
Warm Winds Surf Shop (Narragansett, RI)
Retailer of the Year – Inland America
Awarded to the Inland America specialty retail storefront (in the following states: AL, AZ, AR, CO, DC, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, ND, OH, OK, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, WV, WI, and WY) carrying surf products that featured the best merchandising, customer experience, innovation, creativity, and community involvement between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018.
BC Surf & Sport (Denver, CO)
Benjamin Surf N Skate (Corpus Christi, TX)
evo (Denver, CO)
Tyler’s (Fort Worth, TX)
Retailer of the Year – West Coast
Awarded to the West Coast specialty retail storefront (in the following states: CA, OR, WA, and AK) carrying surf products that featured the best merchandising, customer experience, innovation, creativity, and community involvement between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018.
evo (Portland, OR)
Huntington Surf & Sport (Downtown Huntington Beach, CA)
Jack’s Surfboards (Huntington Beach, CA)
SPYDER SURF (Hermosa Beach, CA)
Sun Diego Boardshops (Carlsbad, CA)
Surf Ride (Oceanside, CA)
Val Surf (Valley Village, CA)
Retailer of the Year – Hawaii
Awarded to the Hawaii specialty retail storefront carrying surf products that featured the best merchandising, customer experience, innovation, creativity, and community involvement between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018.
Hawaiian Island Creations- Haleiwa, HI
Hi-Tech Surf Sports- Kahului, HI
Surf N Sea- Haleiwa, HI
T&C Surf Designs- Honolulu, HI
A complete description of awards criteria, as well as a detailed explanation of the entry and voting processes can be found here. The winners will be announced at the SIMA Awards ceremony in February 2019 in Orange County, California. The ceremony will be open to the public and tickets will go on sale soon.
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.
