Winners Crowned at the 2025 Australian Surfing Awards

On Saturday, Surfing Australia hosted the 2025 Australian Surfing Awards, incorporating the Hall of Fame, honouring outstanding achievement across elite surfing, community impact, media, industry leadership, and participation.

Graham “Sid” Cassidy’s induction into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame headlined a spectacular celebration of Australian surfing talent at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, QLD.

An influential journalist, promoter, and event director, Graham “Sid” Cassidy was instrumental in shaping professional surfing throughout the 1970s and 1980s — not just in Australia, but across the global sport. 

As a lifelong surfer, Graham first used his platform to elevate the sport and attract major corporate sponsorships, including the long-running ‘Coca-Cola Surfabout’. Graham was there when the APSA (Australian Professional Surfing Association) was formed, pre-dating the IPS (International Professional Surfers) organisation. An expert in PR and marketing, Graham was celebrated for his unwavering commitment to putting surfers at the heart of everything he did.

When the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP, now the World Surf League: WSL) World Tour idea was conceived, Sid was on board from day one and pivotal in bringing other key events into the ASP fold. Cassidy went on to serve as Executive Director of the ASP from 1987 to 1994, where he helped establish the tiered competition structure that underpins the modern World Tour. In the early 1990s, Sid was instrumental in linking the ASP and the ‘Bud Surf Tour’, creating what is globally recognised as the World Qualifying Series.

The night celebrated Australia’s elite surfing achievements, with 2025 ISA World Champion Dane Henry and 2025 WSL World Champion, Molly Picklum, named Male and Female Surfer of the Year, respectively. Locana Cullen received the Mick Fanning Rising Star Award presented by Boost Mobile, while Leihani Kaloha Zoric was honoured with the Stephanie Gilmore Rising Star Award presented by the AIS. Annie Goldsmith and Joel Taylor were recognised as the Female and Male Para Surfers of the Year, respectively.

After an incredible year and claiming her maiden world title, Molly Picklum was deservedly crowned the Female Surfer of the Year, presented by NRMA Insurance:

“To come off the back of that season and the world title victory, then go straight home to North Shelly Boardriders Club on the Central Coast was amazing. The warm welcome I received really made it feel real, just like moments like this, standing here in front of everyone. 

This year, Hawaii was a big focus, especially performing well at Pipeline. I really worked on heavy-water surfing, and the results paid off. In Fiji, for the WSL Final Five, after the first heartbreaking loss, I felt that dream to win burn even stronger. That loss didn’t put it out. I knew I hadn’t surfed how I wanted in that first heat, so I went back out, stuck to my game plan, and surfed my own way.

I’m just trying to enjoy the off-season and soak it all in. I feel like I haven’t even scratched the surface of my surfing yet, and I’m so excited for the future. I want to thank Surfing Australia and everyone here for their support.“

Back-to-back ISA Gold Medalist Dane Henry etched his name into an elite list with his victory in this year’s Open Men’s division. Henry was awarded Male Surfer of the Year, presented by Dometic:

“I couldn’t be more honoured. It’s been a massive year, full of ups and downs. I’m dedicating this award to my mum and dad, who I owe everything to. Their dedication to me is so special. My mum is also my manager and the greatest woman on this earth; she’s my biggest inspiration.

I also want to make a special mention of my coach, Adam Dufner. I’ve been training with him since I was 10 years old, and to see him win Coach of the Year is incredibly special. Thank you to everyone for their support, and thank you, Surfing Australia. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

Shaping the boards of 2025 World Champion Molly Picklum, Darren Handley won the Shaper of the Year Award, presented by Thermos:

“It’s fantastic to be here in this room, and it’s amazing to see what Surfing Australia has done for surfing over the years. I absolutely love what I do, working with the world’s best surfers to push the boundaries of surfboard design. Mick Fanning, Molly Picklum, Ethan Ewing, Joel and Hughie Vaughan, and many others, I feel so proud to work with these surfers and to receive this award. These athletes are helping create better surfboards for everyone by constantly pushing the limits.”

Recent NSW Hall of Champions inductee Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart was tonight named honouree of the Greater Good Award presented by Kennards Hire. Stewart reflected on his experience captaining the Irukandji Para Team at the 2025 ISA Para Surfing Championships and expressed how humbled he is to receive such a prestigious honour:

“I was extremely proud to captain the Australian team at the ISA World Para Championships this year. We finished fourth overall, but the whole team—especially the women—truly excelled and did an incredible job.

To receive the Greater Good Award is such an honour. I’m humbled to be recognised alongside so many inspiring nominees, and proud to be part of the adaptive surf community.”

‘Friction Of Perception’ from Liam O’Brien and Darcy Ward was awarded Surf Film of the Year presented by Channel 9. Director Darcy Ward praised Liam and fellow nominees:

“It’s pretty special working with Liam. He’s one of the most creative people I’ve had the privilege to work with. He’s got his fingerprints all over this film.

It’s an honour to win this award among such strong competition. The first surf film I ever worked on was with Toby Cregan, so it’s amazing to be here tonight, nominated alongside him for the same award.”

Byron Bay prodigy Leihani Kaloha Zoric claimed the Stephanie Gilmore Rising Star Award, presented by the AIS:

“It feels incredible. I can’t believe I even got nominated, let alone won! The other girls are so good. I’ve had such an unbelievable year, from the 9.97 at the Australian Boardriders Battle Grand Final, to getting second at Stab High Japan, and now winning this award.”

2025 Australian Surfing Awards – Winners

High-Performance

Female Surfer of the Year presented by NRMA Insurance
Molly Picklum

Male Surfer of the Year presented by Dometic
Dane Henry

Stephanie Gilmore Female Rising Star Award (Under 18) presented by the AIS
Leihani Kaloha Zoric

Mick Fanning Male Rising Star Award (Under 18) presented by Boost Mobile
Locana Cullen

Female Para Surfer of the Year presented by Surfing Australia
Annie Goldsmith

Male Para Surfer of the Year presented by Surfing Australia
Joel Taylor

Heavy Water Award presented by Better Beer
Tom Myers

Shaper of the Year presented by Thermos
Darren Handley – DHD

Coach of the Year presented by Blackroll
Adam Dufner

Surfing Australia Academy Award presented by Bede Durbidge
Mac Brindley


Media

Australian Surf Photo of the Year presented by Fujifilm Photos & Tracks
Josh Tabone

Surfing Australia Surf Clip of the Year presented by Celsius Energy Drinks
Simon ‘Sky Monkey’ of Tom Myers

Surfing Australia Surf Film of the Year presented by Channel Nine
Liam O’Brien – Friction of Perception


Participation & Community

Peter Troy Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Surfing AustraliaGail Austen

Simon Anderson Boardrider Club Award presented by Jim Beam
Long Reef Boardriders Club

Surf School of the Year presented by Cooee Toys
Surf Camp Down Under

Greater Good Award presented by Kennards Hire
Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart

Breakthrough Surf Brand of the Year presented by The Star
Ritual Vision

Indigenous Surfing – Community Celebration Award presented by Surfing Australia
Undalup Association

Sustainability Award presented by ACCIONA
Surfers For Climate

About the Australian Surfing Awards Incorporating the Hall of Fame

First convened in 1985 by the Australian Surfriders Association (now Surfing Australia) to preserve the history of Australian surfing and honour its great achievers. Each year the Australian Surfing Awards incorporating the Hall of Fame are presented to those who have made a significant contribution to the development of surfing in this country.

The Australian Surfing Awards celebrate and honour the people and organisations shaping our surf culture and industry. They recognise excellence across high performance, participation and community, media, and innovation.

The 2025 Australian Surfing Awards will be held on December 6, 2025, at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre Broadbeach, QLD and are proudly supported by Jim Beam, ACCIONA, The Star Gold Coast, Thermos, Tracks Magazine, Surfers For Climate, The Australian Institute of Sport, Queensland Academy of Sport, Zuum Energy Gum, Surfing Australia High Performance Centre, Holly Grail Events.