2024 Australian Surfing Awards Winners Revealed

Luke Egan’s induction into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame headlined a spectacular celebration of Australian surfing talent at HOTA, Home of the Arts, on the Gold Coast tonight. The Newcastle native and former World Tour surfer was honoured for his remarkable 22-year career on the ASP/World Surf League Championship Tour, which included four event wins and a runner-up finish in the 2000 World Title race. Egan was presented the award by good friend Matt Hoy and joined by fellow legends Joel Parkinson, Mark “Occy” Occhilupo, and Mark Richards for a sit-down interview, where he reflected on his career and expressed gratitude for being recognised alongside his heroes.

The night also celebrated Australia’s elite surfing achievements, with Olympians and World Tour surfers Jack Robinson and Molly Picklum named Male and Female Surfer of the Year, respectively. Dane Henry received the Mick Fanning Rising Star Award, while Sierra Kerr was honoured with the Stephanie Gilmore Rising Star Award. Jocelyn Neumueller and Kai Colless were recognised as the Female and Male Para Surfers of the Year, respectively.

Surfing legend Layne Beachley was honoured with Surfing Australia Life Membership for her extraordinary contributions to the sport. A seven-time World Champion and the only surfer to win six consecutive titles, Beachley’s legacy extends beyond competition. As former Chair of Surfing Australia and a long-time advocate for women’s surfing, she championed pay equity, improved events, and greater opportunities for future generations.

Tasmanian photographer Nick Green captured big wave surfer Laura Enever during “one of the gnarliest wipeouts” at Shipstern Bluff to win Surf Photo of the Year. Soli Baileytook home the Heavy Water Award and, along with Chris Peel, won Surf Clip of the Year. The Surf Film of the Year was awarded to Jay Phillips Isn’t Dead.

Jordie Campbell was awarded the Indigenous Surfing Community Celebration Award. The Greater Good Award went to the Surfrider Foundation, Breakthrough Surf Brand of the Year was Rivvia Projects, and Shaper of the Year went to Darren Handley.

Renowned surf media icon Vaughan Blakey hosted the event, which recognised the outstanding achievements of athletes and contributors across 20 award categories. Held for the first time at the iconic HOTA, Home of the Arts, on the Gold Coast, the awards celebrated not only surfing champions but also individuals excelling in media, business, and innovation, highlighting the depth of talent and dedication within Australian surfing.

2024 Australian Surfing Awards – Winners

High-Performance

• Female Surfer of the Year presented by BC Snacks™
  Molly Picklum
• Male Surfer of the Year presented by Boost Mobile
  Jack Robinson
• Stephanie Gilmore Female Rising Star Award (Under 18) presented by Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS)
  Sierra Kerr
• Mick Fanning Male Rising Star Award (Under 18) presented by Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)
  Dane Henry
• Female Para Surfer of the Year presented by Experience Gold Coast
  Jocelyn Neumueller
• Male Para Surfer of the Year presented by URBNSURF
  Kai Colless
• Heavy Water Award presented by Zuum Energy Gum
  Soli Bailey
• Shaper of the Year presented by Blackroll
  Darren Handley – DHD
• Coach of the Year presented by Surfing Australia High Performance Program
  Matt Bemrose
• Surfing Australia Academy Award presented by Bede Durbidge
  Mac Brindley

Media

• Australian Surf Photo of the Year presented by Tracks
  Nick Green featuring Laura Enever
• Surfing Australia Surf Clip of the Year presented by Surfline
  Soli Bailey & Chris Peel
• Surfing Australia Surf Film of the Year presented by Channel Nine
  Jay Phillips Isn’t Dead

Participation & Community

• Peter Troy Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Surfing World
  Max Wells
• Simon Anderson Boardrider Club Award presented by Jim Beam
  Burleigh Boardriders Club
• Surf School of the Year presented by Cooee Toys
  Surfing Services Surf School
• Greater Good Award presented by Kennards Hire
  Surfrider Foundation
• Breakthrough Surf Brand of the Year presented by QMS Media
  Rivvia Projects
• Indigenous Surfing – Community Celebration Award presented by Australian Sports Commission (ASC)
  Jordie Campbell
• Sustainability Award presented by ACCIONA
  Patagonia

Plus

• Hall of Fame Inductee
  Luke Egan
   
• Hyundai She’s Electric
  India Robinson

About the Australian Surfing Awards:

The Australian Surfing Awards honour the outstanding achievements of Australia’s top surfers and celebrate those contributing behind the scenes in areas such as event organisation, business, media, photography, and more.

This year, the awards will take place on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at a new location—HOTA, Home of the Arts, on the Gold Coast, Queensland. Hosted by surf media icon Vaughan Blakey, the event features 20 award categories, adding to the excitement of our biggest award, the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame. The winner of the Hyundai She’s Electric competition will also be revealed on the night.

The 2024 Australian Surfing Awards are open to Australian citizens and cover achievements between January 1, 2024, and October 31, 2024.

The Australian Surfing Awards are proudly sponsored by ACCIONA, Jim Beam, Tracks, Surfers for Climate, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS), Zuum Energy Gum, Hyundai She’s Electric, the Hyundai High Performance Centre (HPC), and Surfing Australia High Performance Program.

For more information, please visit australiansurfingawards.com.