The Irukandjis Crowned WORLD CHAMPIONS at the 2025 ISA World Surfing Games.

Australia’s national surf team, the Irukandjis, have been crowned World Champions at the 2025 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Surfing Games, Australia’s first Open Team Gold since 2011, ending a 14-year wait to reclaim the top step of the podium.

Led by 19-year-old Dane Henry’s spectacular individual gold medal in the men’s event, alongside bronze medals from Morgan Cibilic and Sally Fitzgibbons, the Irukandjis delivered a commanding performance across nine days of world-class competition.

Their collective effort, bolstered by Ellie Harrison’s 5th-place finish, secured Australia’s sixth team gold medal in ISA World Surfing Games history, and their 16th overall team medal, reinforcing Australia’s status as the most successful nation in the event’s history.

This year’s win also builds on Australia’s ISA World Junior Championship team gold in 2024, making back-to-back world titles for the Irukandjis.

Dane Henry WINS GOLD

Henry became the first male surfer in the modern era to win the ISA World Surfing Games while holding the reigning ISA World Junior Champion title — a rare feat previously only matched by surfing greats Tom Curren (USA), Gabriel Medina (BRA), and Jordy Smith (RSA).

Opening his Final with a massive full-rotation aerial, Henry locked in an 8.67 before backing it up with a 9.50 on a long right-hander at La Bocana. His combined heat score of 18.17 put him beyond reach of his opponents and etched his name into surfing history.

“This win means everything,” Henry said. “To represent Australia and stand on top with this team is the best feeling in the world. We believed in each other all week, and to bring it home for the Irukandjis is so special.”

Fitzgibbons and Cibilic Add to Medal Tally

Veteran and 2025 Team Captain, Sally Fitzgibbons, continued to build on her remarkable career, adding a sixth ISA World Surfing Games medal — a bronze — to her unprecedented haul of 4X golds and 1X previous bronze. Fitzgibbons remains one of the most winningest surfers in ISA Surfing history, and reinforces her reputation as the anchor of the Irukandjis.

“Our team really connected through our values of how much it means to us to represent our nation. Every individual athlete, coach, and staff member woke up every day ready to take on the challenge. Out of every ISA medal I’ve won, this is the one that stands out. I couldn’t be prouder, and this memory will stay with me forever.”

— Sally Fitzgibbons

2021 Championship Tour Rookie of the Year, Morgan Cibilic, also delivered a huge performance on the world stage, securing his best ISA World Surfing Games result to date with a bronze medal in El Salvador.

“This event was epic, and the waves were so much fun — it was the perfect setup for a competition. It’s the first time in such a long time that Australia has won gold, and I’m super proud of our team. We had such a strong connection, and I’m really excited to see what every team member achieves in the future with their surfing.”

— Morgan Cibilic

A Golden Era For The Irukandjis

The Irukandjis’ win in El Salvador is the first since 2011, ending more than a decade of close calls, including four team silver medals since their last gold, and signals the start of a new golden era for Australian surfing.

Adam Dufner, 2025 Team Australia Coach, reflected on the collaborative team atmosphere of The Irukandjis:

“It has been a privilege and an honour to coach and support this amazing team of incredibly talented athletes and wonderful young individuals! This event has been a highlight of my coaching career!”

Final Team Standings

1st – Gold – Australia – 3935pts

2nd – Silver – Peru – 3143pts

3rd – Bronze – Spain – 2943pts

4th – Copper – France – 2743pts

Individual Results

Dane Henry (NSW) – 1st – Gold

Sally Fitzgibbons (NSW) – 3rd – Bronze

Morgan Cibilic (NSW) – 3rd – Bronze

Ellie Harrison (VIC) – 5th 

Milla Brown (NSW) – 11th

Callum Robson (NSW) – 19th 

About the ISA World Surfing Games 2025

The 2025 ISA World Surfing Games will be staged at La Bocana and El Sunzal, two world-class breaks on El Salvador’s coastline. The event draws the best surfers from over 50 nations, competing for individual titles and national team glory.

Since 2022, the ISA Worlds have been integrated into Olympic qualification, making them a direct pathway for surfers aiming to compete at the Games.

About the Irukandjis

The Irukandjis name was generously gifted to Surfing Australia by the Yirrganydji people of North Queensland. The team’s tagline — ‘Deadly in the Water’ — comes from the potent Irukandji jellyfish, reflecting both the cultural heritage and fierce competitive spirit of Australian surfers.

All elite Australian surfers, across Olympic, longboard, big wave, adaptive, SUP, junior, and masters disciplines, compete internationally under the Irukandjis banner and colours.

Follow the Irukandjis via: 
www.surfingaustralia.com/irukandjis 
@theirukandjis on Instagram