13th Annual SIMA Image Awards given to surf industry’s top innovators

Industry reps celebrated honorees with special guest performance by Carah Faye of Shiny Toy Guns

Posted 02/16/2016

Anaheim, Calif. (February 12, 2016) – Sixty-five nominees representing 2015’s best from the surf industry were honored last night at the 13th annual Surf Industry Manufacturers Association Image Awards ceremony at the City National Grove of Anaheim, celebrating their outstanding innovations and contributions made to the industry. Nearly 800 attendees from surf companies and specialty retail shops were treated to a surprise acoustic performance by Carah Faye, lead vocalist of Grammy-nominated band, Shiny Toy Guns. Faye performed two soon-to-be released songs from her new solo album as a warm-up to the awards ceremony.

“I’m so thrilled with the turnout from last night’s event. It was incredible seeing everyone come together and support the industry,” said Johnny Gehris, SIMA Image Awards Chairman and President of Vestal. “The SIMA Image Awards is not just a celebration of the brands nominated, but a celebration of all the people behind those nominated brands.”

The SIMA Image Awards nominees and winners were recognized throughout the lively ceremony, hosted by multi-media action sports personality, Greg “GT” Tomlinson and pro surfer, Rosy Hodge. Award winners accepted their honors from guest presenters, including pro surfer Filipe Toledo, Carah Faye, pro surfer Josh Kerr and his burgeoning action sports enthusiast/grom daughter, Sierra Kerr, and legendary skateboarders, Tony Alva, Christian Hosoi, Steve Caballero and Mike McGill.

For the second year in a row, the SIMA Surf Shop Gold Wave Award, which honors specialty surf shops that have been in business for more than 50 years, was presented by Taylor Whisenand and given to Joe Nuzzo, who accepted on behalf of his Suncoast Surf Shop in Treasure Island, Fla.

As the only awards program of its kind, the goal of the SIMA Image 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. The following companies were recognized in 13 categories for the 2015-year. The evening was made possible by Surf Expo and Audi, both supporting the event with generous sponsorships.