Winners Crowned at the Australian Surfing Awards

Some of the biggest names in surfing have hit the red carpet at the Australian Surfing Awards with Jack Robinson and Steph Gilmore taking out the highly coveted Male and Female Surfer of the Year awards, respectively.

Both Gilmore and Robinson accepted their honours from Hawaii where they’re competing in the World Surf League’s Sunset Beach event.

Steph Gilmore said: “Thank you so much for this award. Last year was a huge moment in my career, I always dreamed of winning eight world titles and that event in Trestles was something I’ll never forget. It was a really special moment. A highlight of the career, but I hope there’s still more to come. I just want to thank you all for the support, Surfing Australia, everything you do for us.”

Jack Robinson said: “I’m super stoked to get this award again. Thank you guys so much for the support. I wish I could be there, we’re in Hawaii at the moment. Hopefully next time we can hold it off for a little bit longer so we can get home in time.  It’s super cool and look forward to inspiring the next generation to surf. Means a lot. See you guys all soon.”

Held at QT Gold Coast last night, the awards honour the best surfers over the past 12 months across 17 categories. ISA U16 World Junior Champion Willis Droomer and Oakberry Tweed Coast Pro Junior winner Sierra Kerr were crowned Griffith University’s Male Rising Star and Female Rising Star, respectively and Taj Burrow became the 45th inductee into the Surfing Australia Hall of Fame.

Other highlights of the night included World Para Surfing Champion Emma Dieters winning Female Para Surfer of the Year and blind surfer Matt Formston taking home the Heavy Water Award recognising his incredible feat taking on the world’s biggest wave, Nazare in Portugal.

The new Surf School of the Year award went to Maroochy Surf School and Warren Smith took out the Peter Troy Lifetime Achievement award. While former Surfing Australia CEO, and Chief Executive of Surfing WA, Mark Lane received Surfing Australia Life Membership.

2022 Australian Surfing Awards Incorporating The Hall of Fame WINNERS:

MALE SURFER OF THE YEAR
Jack Robinson

HARVEY NORMAN FEMALE SURFER OF THE YEAR
Stephanie Gilmore 

GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY MALE RISING STAR
Willis Droomer

GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY FEMALE RISING STAR
Sierra Kerr

MALE PARA SURFER OF THE YEAR
Jack Jackson

FEMALE PARA SURFER OF THE YEAR
Emma Dieters

HEAVY WATER AWARD
Matthew Formston

REEFTIP GREATER GOOD AWARD
Cooper Chapman – The Good Human Factory

PETER TROY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Warren Smith

RUFFIE COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD
Tom Whittaker

SURF SCHOOL OF THE YEAR AWARD
Maroochy Surf School

ACCIONA INNOVATION AWARD
Garmin Instinct Solar – Surf Edition

ZAMBRERO SURF CULTURE AWARD
Legends of Surf 72 – Andrew McKinnon, Karen Neilsen, Rod Brooks

SIMON ANDERSON CLUB AWARD
Mermaid Nobby’s Miami (MNM) Boardriders

WOOLWORTHS INDIGENOUS SURFING COMMUNITY CELEBRATION AWARD
Macquarie Sports (Macquarie Group)

SURFING AUSTRALIA SURF VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Facing Monsters | Garage Entertainment

SURF PHOTO OF THE YEAR
Ted Grambeau

HALL OF FAME
Taj Burrow

The Australian Surfing Awards are supported by Major Events Gold Coast and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.

The Awards are also supported by Harvey Norman, Griffith University, Reeftip Drinks Co., Zambrero, ACCIONA, QT Gold Coast, Steel City and Andrew Peace Wines.