Big Wave Season Wrap Up, XXL Biggest Wave Entry and Upcoming Hip Surgery

Includes the XXL entry photo shot by Bryn Forbes and my GoPro Hero 2 footage that was shot from a board mount of that ride.

Eric Akiskalian at Nelscott Reef in Oregon, photo by Bryn Forbes

(GIG HARBOR) - I would like to take a moment to thank you all for your continued support during my big wave adventures. For over 13 years now, most of you have been following and or supporting me in some way, shape or form.

Without your encouragement, positive thoughts, kind words and support, non of this would be possible.

Some of you are new to my world of chasing big waves and as you will see, I am in it for the long haul. Next month I will be turning 53 and other then coping with a busted labrum in my left hip, it's my desire, passion, commitment and great health that allows me to push my own limits every year and ride the biggest waves I can. So hold on and enjoy the ride because there will be some new and exciting adventures and bench marks in the years to come.

Season Recap

We had a better then average season for the 2012/13 Pacific Northwest Big Wave Season. However, we never got the really big monster swell like in 2010 where we saw and rode waves in the 60'+ range. However, I am pleased to say that once again, one of my rides was accepted as an entry in this year's Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards.

There were some monster waves ridden this year from around the world and all though we did not stand a chance to make the finals as in previous years of 2006 and 2011, it's always good to be included in the awards amongst the best big wave surfers in the world!

Attached you will see the XXL entry photo shot by Bryn Forbes and my GoPro Hero 2 footage that was shot from a board mount of that ride.

Season Highlight

As most of you know, we don't get many out of town visitors up here due to the travel and equipment logistics, freezing cold temps, unruly weather conditions etc. etc. etc. We did however rally our good friend Greg Long, (Current Big Wave World Tour Champion)to come up for a solo paddle session where he scored some solid 15' waves with the local crew. Not only is Greg a good friend, he's just an all around class act and the most respected and humble big wave surfer to grace this planet. His session on the reef can been seen on BIg Wave Addicts Episode 2 which was also shot 100% on the GoPro Hero 2.

Hip Injury Update

This year was especially tough physically due to a hip injury I sustained during a tow surfing accident 5 years ago. I was very limited to any type of traditional paddle surfing due to the limited mobility of getting to my feet. So I ended up towing every big swell with my partner Keith Galbraith.

On April 5th, I will be going in for surgery and plan to be in top physical shape come next season. For the most part I will be in rehab for 3-4 months and nursing my hip to recovering all summer long.

Special thanks to:

My tow partner Keith Galbraith for always putting me on the biggest waves of each and every season! The guys is a legend in that he's truly the one that is pushing the big wave paddle scene up here and bless his heart, cuz I know he's not in it to tow it anymore, but does so to support my mission and personal goals! So for this I am super fortunate to have him on my team and as a solid friend.

I also want to thank our production crew and the local surfers for their support and assistance all season long: Mark Builder, Tim Henton, Dan Hasselschwert, Ollie Richardson, Tyler Cunningham, Jason Miller, Ross Rehberg, Ryan Hawkins, Mark Winnie, Cody Cha, Tyler Roemer, Fred Pompermayer, Stefan Czarnecki, Shawn Thordarson and Bryn Forbes. I am also looking forward to getting other shooters up here next season on the right swell. Guys like Greg Huglin, Scott Gibson, Mike Jones from AzHiAzIam and Curt Myers from Powerlines Productions.

All individuals that I have know for a long time and are all very talented in what they do.

With all the support and dedication offered this season, we were able to film 4 Episodes of Big Wave Addicts which are available for viewing on on our Towsurfer Network YouTube Channel.

Special thanks to my newest sponsors: Titus Will Ford of Tacoma, Xcel Wetsuits and GoPro. Their support was very instrumental this season and I look forward to moving forward with their continued commitment in my big wave pursuit here in the Pacific Northwest.

YouTube Clip Of XXL Ride Entry www.youtube.com/watch?v=PghEFFEOM50

Big wave Surfer Eric Akiskalian of Gig Harbor, Washington, travels the world in search of the perfect wave; the biggest waves, in the world. A few Octobers ago in Oregon, during the Nelscott Reef Tow-In Classic that is held each year in Oregon, Eric and his tow-in partner Keith Galbraith, were towsurfing giant waves at South Reef, and they caught one of the biggest waves ever ridden along Oregon’s coast. This ride, videotaped by Salem-News.com's Tim King, ultimately, was entered in the Ride of the Year Category for The 10th Annual Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards.