It was Australian surfing’s night of nights on the Gold Coast last night as the Australia Surfing Awards saw Steph Gilmore and Jack Robinson taking out the Surfer of the Year awards.
Both Gilmore and Robinson accepted their honours from Hawaii where they’re competing in the World Surf League’s Sunset Beach event.
Steph Gilmore was very happy to accept the 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 my 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 he was super stoked to win the 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
