The Australian Surfing Awards set to be held at iconic Bondi Pavilion on 28th February, 2024

Surfing Australia is excited to announce a change of venue for the Australian Surfing Awards incorporating the Hall of Fame.

For the 60th year anniversary of Surfing Australia and first time in the event’s history, the prestigious awards will be hosted at the iconic Bondi Pavilion at Bondi Beach on February 28.

Surfing Australia CEO, Chris Mater said: “We’re thrilled to announce that the Australian Surfing Awards will take place, for the first time, at the recently redeveloped iconic Bondi Pavilion. Bondi Beach is one of the most famous surf beaches in the country and the revamped pavilion sits at its heart. It is the perfect venue to host this long-standing event, now in its 60th year, which honours not only our top surfers but also those who contributed behind the scenes in events, business, media, photography and more. Furthermore, this year, we’re introducing exciting changes to this prestigious event, including the addition of new awards.”

A total of 19 awards will be presented to both individuals and groups who have made significant and enduring contributions to the development of surfing in Australia. The Surf Photo of the Year Award presented by Tracks will exclusively feature Australian photos for the first time, celebrating the essence of Australian surfing.

Editor in Chief, Tracks Media, Luke Kennedy said: “The Surf Photo of the Year plays an integral role in defining and shaping surf culture. In the highly challenging medium Australian surf photographers have historically been amongst the world’s best. This award acknowledges the skill, creativity and toil associated with surf photography and Tracks is honoured to be presenting this Award.”

Another notable change is to the Rising Star Award, which will pay tribute to the legacies of two of Australia’s greatest World Champion surfers. These awards are aimed at fostering the development of Australia’s junior surfing rising stars. The Stephanie Gilmore Female Rising Star Award presented by Griffith University will acknowledge the Australian junior female surfer (under 18) whose surfing performance in the past year, along with her upstanding character, shows the most rising star qualities. Similarly, the Mick Fanning Male Rising Star Award presented by Griffith University will recognise the Australian junior male surfer (under 18) whose surfing performance in the past year, along with his upstanding character, shows the most rising star qualities.

While the newly created Breakthrough Surf Brand of the Year Award will recognise a breakthrough surf brand that encapsulates Australian surfing culture today and gives back to the Australian surfing community. Surf Film of the Year – Filmer Award will be presented to the creator of the best feature-length surf video or film made by an Australian in 2023. While the Surf Clip of the Year Award – Surfer Athlete will recognise the most dynamic Australian surf clip edit of the year for 2023 (under 15 minutes).

Your voice matters in determining the deserving recipients of these coveted titles, so we encourage you to submit your nominations now. You also can enter your photos or videos through our online form.

The event will also include the induction of an outstanding athlete into Surfing Australia’s Hall of Fame. Last year, Taj Burrow was added to the prestigious list, alongside other world-class athletes such as Joel Parkinson, Stephanie Gilmore, Julian Wilson, Owen Wright, Mick Fanning, Mark Occhilupo and Sally Fitzgibbons.

The 19 award categories are:
Male Surfer of the Year
Female Surfer of the Year
Mick Fanning Male Rising Star Award (Under 18) presented by Griffith University
Stephanie Gilmore Female Rising Star Award (Under 18) presented by Griffith University
Male Para Surfer of the Year
Female Para Surfer of the Year
Heavy Water Award
Greater Good Award
Peter Troy Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Surfing World
Coach of the Year Award
Surf School of the Year Award
Innovation Award presented by ACCIONA
Surf Culture Award presented by Jim Beam
Simon Anderson Boardrider Club Award presented by Curly Lewis
Indigenous Surfing – Community Celebration Award
Surf Film of the Year – Filmer Award
Surf Clip of the Year – Surfer Award (under 15 minutes)
Surf Photo of the Year presented by Tracks*
Breakthrough Surf Brand of the Year Award
*new criteria
PLUS
Australian Surfing Hall of Fame Inductee

Event website, categories and nominations HERE.

The Australian Surfing Awards are proudly sponsored by Griffith University, ACCIONA, Jim Beam, Le Tan, Small Things Wine, Tracks, Surfing World and Curly Lewis.

• 2023 Nomination Form & Criteria
• Hall of Fame
• 2022 Australian Surfing Awards Winners
• 2022 Australian Surfing Awards Finalists
• 2022 Event Photo Gallery

About the Australian Surfing Awards nominations:
The 2024 Australian Surfing Awards are open to Australian citizens and cover the period between 1st January 2023 and 31st December 2023. Click on the link HERE to see all categories and for your chance to nominate Australian surfers across each award category. Please enter names against each award you would like to nominate.

Nominations are now open and will close on the 25th of January, 2024.