Kelly Slater's 2010 Year

GOLD COAST, Queensland/Australia (Friday, February 25, 2011); The ASP World Surfing Awards were staged at a gala black tie dinner at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre last night in honor of the 2010 ASP World Champions.

Surfing's "night of nights" saw ten time world champion Kelly Slater (USA), four time world champion Stephanie Gilmore (Aus) and the late Andy Irons celebrated in an emotional evening in front of the world's best surfers and surfing industry identities.

Slater (USA), accepted his history-making and unprecedented tenth ASP World Title to a standing ovation. The 39 year-old dedicated his win to his greatest surfing rival ever, three time world champion Andy Irons (Haw), who tragically passed away suddenly last year. Slater said Irons death had affected him both personally and professionally. Slater also thanked his family and long-term girlfriend Kalani Miller who attended the event alongside him.

Gilmore made her own history, collecting a fourth consecutive ASP Women's World Title. The 23 year-old dedicated her win to the much-missed Kuaian surfer Andy Irons as well.

Hawaiian surfer Carissa Moore was a double recipient on the night taking out the 2010 ASP World Tour Rookie and the highly coveted Peter Whitaker Award.

Slater and Gilmore along with the world's best surfers will begin their 2011 campaigns this weekend at the opening events on the 2011 ASP World Title Tours - the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro's presented by Land Rover.

Awards Recipients

2010 ASP World Champion:Kelly Slater (USA)

2010 ASP Women's World Champion:Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)

2010 ASP World Tour Runner-Up:Jordy Smith (ZAF)

2010 ASP Women's World Tour Runner-Up:Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)

2010 ASP World Tour Rookie of the Year: Owen Wright (AUS)

2010 ASP Women's World Tour Rookie of the Year:Carissa Moore (HAW

2010 ASP World Tour 'Breakthrough Performer': Alejo Muniz (BRZ)

2010 ASP Women's World Tour 'Breakthrough Performer': Carissa Moore (HAW)

2010 ASP World Longboard Champion:Duane DeSoto (HAW)

2010 ASP Women's World Longboard Champion:Cori Schumacher (HAW)

2010 ASP World Junior Champion:Jack Freestone (AUS)

2010 ASP Women's World Junior Champion:Alizee Arnaud (FRA)

Peter Whittaker Award: Carissa Moore (Haw)