Shane Dorian of the Big Island won the top award at the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards on Friday.

Dorian, 35, received $50,000 for winning the "Ride of the Year" category for surfing a massive wave at Teahupoo, Tahiti, last November.

The awards were announced at a ceremony in Anaheim, Calif.

"To think that I got the Ride of the Year is a huge honor for me," said Dorian, who is from Kailua, Kona. "But really, at the end of the day, the ride itself is the biggest reward and it's one that I will remember forever."

Dorian's winning ride came during a tow-in surf session on Nov. 1. He said he nearly fell twice during the wave, yet managed to make it through the barreling section.

Teahupoo is notorious for its heavy, fast-breaking waves, and it is considered one of the most treacherous spots in the world.

"Usually at Teahupoo, you pick your line, set your rail and you normally make it, but that wave was really unique," Dorian said. "I nearly fell at the start, I nearly fell in the middle, and then it clipped me at the end. It was difficult because I was almost eating it the whole time."

The Billabong XXL awards honors the biggest and heaviest waves ridden over the past 12 months. More than 500 photo images and videos from around the world were submitted for this year's awards.

The final results were decided by a panel of 250 surfers and media representatives.

Dorian is the fourth Hawai'i surfer to win the top award in the eight-year history of the Billabong XXL awards. The others were Makuakai Rothman (2003), Pete Cabrinha (2004) and Dan Moore (2005).

Ian Walsh of Maui placed fourth in this year's Ride of the Year category. His ride also took place at Teahupoo on Nov. 1.

Also at this year's awards, California's Mike Parsons received $15,000 for the "Biggest Wave" category. He rode what is estimated to be a 70-foot wave off Cortes Bank, Calif., in January.

Other category winners were: Manoa Drollet of Tahiti for "Monster Tube Ride," Greg Long of California for "Monster Paddle" and "Best Overall Performance," and Maya Gabeira of Brazil for "Girls Best Overall Performance."

Video clips of the winning rides can be viewed at www.billabongxxl.com.