The countdown is underway as the elite of the big wave surfing world converge on Southern California for Friday night's Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards presented by Monster Energy.

The Oscars-style ceremony at the Grove Theater in Anaheim will pay tribute to the greatest achievements in high surf during the last year with a red carpet gala and a star-studded array of nominees and presenters. Over 2,200 surf industry VIPs will attend the invitation-only event which will be carried via a live webcast on BillabongXXL.com.