The 3rd stop of Nixon’s 2012 WTA (winner-takes-all) is headed to Teahupoo, Tahiti, and this time it will be awarded to the surfer who takes on the heaviest wave of the contest. In keeping with the spirit of the WTA, the title and $10,000 custom Nixon watch is awarded for a standout moment during the event that may have otherwise not been celebrated. The WTA looks to commemorate crowning achievements for Biggest Air, Highest Heat Score, Heaviest Wave and overall Triple Crown Winner along the 4 stops of the 2012 WTA route.

The man of the hour to beat is last year’s WTA Tahiti winner, Jeremy Flores. Flores walked away with the 2011 WTA title and prize for charging the heaviest wave of the contest during Heat 1 of Round 2. Who will take home the honors and title for charging this year? With a stacked roster of heavy wave surfers including the Hobgood brothers, John John Florence, Joel Parkinson and many more, it’s really anyone’s game.

Teahupoo is the ultimate arena when it comes to watching and awarding one select surfer for “Heaviest Wave”.  Known as one of the heaviest contestable waves on the planet, Teahupoo has been the muse of countless photographers and surfers and has graced the cover of many surf mags. Hot on the heels of last year’s CODE RED swell, arguably the heaviest surf contest sessions ever ridden, this year’s WCT stop in Tahiti is already full of anticipation.

The Billabong Pro and WTA Tahiti will commence August 16-27.

2012 WINNERS

Billabong Rio Pro - Biggest Air - John John Florence (HAW)

Billabong Pro J-Bay - Highest Heat Score - Nathan Hedge (AUS)

2011 WINNERS

Billabong Rio Pro - Biggest Air - Josh Kerr (AUS)

Billabong Pro J-Bay - Highest Heat Score - Jordy Smith (ZAF) - 18.30pts

Billabong Pro Tahiti - Heaviest Wave - Jeremy Flores (FRA)

Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Champion - John Florence (HAW)

John Florence brings the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing title back to Hawaii Photo: Dias

Complete Past Nixon WTA Winners

2007 - WTA Heaviest Wave - Manoa Drollet - Teahupoo, Tahiti
2007 - WTA Highest Heat Score - Kelly Slater - Jeffreys Bay, South Africa (19.23-QF)
2007 - WTA Longest Tube Ride - Bobby Martinez - Mundaka, Euskadi, Spain
2007 - WTA Triple Crown Winner - Bede Durbidge - Vans Triple Crown Winner

2008 - WTA Heaviest Wave - Ryan Hipwood - Teahupoo, Tahiti
2008 - WTA Highest Heat Score - Taylor Knox - Jeffreys Bay, South Africa (19.70-Rd.1)
2008 - WTA Longest Tube Ride - Royden Bryson - Mundaka, Euskadi, Spain
2008 - WTA Triple Crown Winner - Joel Parkinson - Vans Triple Crown Winner

2009 - WTA Heaviest Wave - Bobby Martinez - Teahupoo, Tahiti
2009 - WTA Highest Heat Score - Dane Reynolds - Jeffreys Bay, South Africa (19.20)
2009 - WTA Longest Tube Ride - Tiago Pires - Mundaka, Euskadi, Spain
2009 - WTA Triple Crown Winner - Joel Parkinson - Vans Triple Crown Winner

2010 - WTA Heaviest Wave - Kamalei Alexander - Teahupoo, Tahiti
2010 - WTA Highest Heat Score - Taj Burrow - Jeffreys Bay, South Africa (18.87)
2010 - WTA Triple Crown Winner - Joel Parkinson - Vans Triple Crown Winner

2011 - WTA Biggest Air - Josh Kerr - Rio de Janiero, Brazil
2011 - WTA Highest Heat Score - Jordy Smith - Jeffreys Bay, South Africa (18.30)
2011 - WTA Heaviest Wave - Jeremy Flores - Teahupoo, Tahiti
2011 - WTA Triple Crown Winner – John John Florence

2012 - WTA Biggest Air – John John Florence - Rio de Janiero, Brazil
2012 - WTA Highest Heat Score – Nathan Hedge - Jeffreys Bay, South Africa (19.27)
2012 - WTA Heaviest Wave - TBD - Teahupoo, Tahiti
2012 - WTA Triple Crown Winner – TBD