The ninth annual Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards is under way.

The contest rewards the biggest and best rides of the big-wave season, as documented on video or with still photography.

Entries are already being posted on the contest's Web site at billabongxxl.com, including footage from a massive swell off South Africa in August.

Entries will be accepted until March 20, 2009. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in April 2009.

Categories include Ride of the Year, Biggest Wave, Monster Paddle Award, Monster Tube Award, Men's Best Overall Performance, and Women's Best Overall Performance.

Shane Dorian of Kailua, Kona, received $50,000 for the "Ride of the Year" last season.

The winners are determined by a panel of big-wave surfers and surfing journalists.

SURFBOARD SHAPER TO APPEAR AT ALA MOANA

Legendary surfboard shaper Dick Brewer is scheduled to appear at the Kahala Sportswear store in the Ala Moana Center on Nov. 20, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Brewer will talk about his life as a longtime board shaper for some of the sport's all-time greats. Prior to becoming a shaper, Brewer was one of the world's best big-wave surfers in the 1950s.

Surfers who have used Brewer's boards include Fred Hemmings, Gerry Lopez, Jock Sutherland, Laird Hamilton and Darrick Doerner.

Brewer, who resides on Kaua'i, is still shaping boards.

People who purchase a new Kahala "Shaping Room" shirt will receive a commemorative booklet of Brewer's accomplishments.