Finalists Announced for the 2024 Australian Surfing Awards

CASUARINA, New South Wales (November 22, 2024): Some of the biggest names in surfing have been revealed as finalists in the 2024 Australian Surfing Awards incorporating the Hall of Fame. Mick Fanning, Nathan Hedge, Laura Enever, Sally Fitzgibbons, Molly Picklum, Jack Robinson, and Ethan Ewing are all in the running for accolades.

The awards honour the outstanding achievements of Australia’s top surfers and celebrate those contributing behind the scenes in areas such as event organisation, business, media, photography, and more.

This year, the awards will take place on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at a new location—HOTA, Home of the Arts, on the Gold Coast, Queensland. Hosted by surf media icon Vaughan Blakey, the event features 19 award categories, including Shaper of the Year and Surf Photo of the Year, culminating in the announcement of LukeEgan as the newest inductee into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame. The winner of the Hyundai She’s Electric competition will also be revealed on the night.

Surfing Australia CEO Chris Mater said: “We’re excited to announce this year’s finalists for the Australian Surfing Awards including the Hall of Fame, showcasing the very best of surfing talent in this country. From legends like Mick Fanning and Sally Fitzgibbons to rising stars, these surfers—and so many others behind the scenes—are what make our sport so special. We’re looking forward to bringing everyone together at HOTA next month to celebrate, share stories, and honour all the amazing talent that makes Australian surfing world-class.”

2024 AUSTRALIAN SURFING AWARDS – FINALISTS:

High-Performance:

• Female Surfer of the Year presented by BC™ Snacks
  Laura Enever
  Sally Fitzgibbons
  Molly Picklum
• Male Surfer of the Year presented by Boost Mobile
  George Pittar
  Jack Robinson
  Ethan Ewing
• Stephanie Gilmore Female Rising Star Award (Under 18) presented by Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS)
  Milla Brown
  Sierra Kerr
  Ziggy Mackenzie
• Mick Fanning Male Rising Star Award (Under 18) presented by Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)
  Kai Colless
  Dane Henry
  Hughie Vaughan
• Female Para Surfer of the Year
  Emma Dieters
  Jocelyn Neumueller
  Sam Bloom
• Male Para Surfer of the Year presented by URBNSURF
  Kirk Watson
  Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart
  Kai Colless
• Heavy Water Award presented by Zuum Energy Gum
  Ned Hart
  Laura Enever
  Soli Bailey
• Shaper of the Year presented by Blackroll
  Dylan Longbottom – Dylan Shapes
  Dylan Perese – DP Surfboards
  Darren Handley – DHD
• Coach of the Year presented by Surfing Australia High Performance Program
  Bede Durbidge
  Matt Bemrose
  Pete Duncan

Media:

• Australian Surf Photo of the Year presented by Tracks
  To be announced next week
• Surfing Australia Surf Clip of the Year presented by Surfline
  Milla Brown & Ryan Williams
  Soli Bailey & Chris Peel
  Nathan Hedge & Adrian Emerton
• Surfing Australia Surf Film of the Year presented by Channel Nine
  Jay Phillips Isn’t Dead 
  Desensitised 
  The Notes In Between 

Participation & Community:

• Peter Troy Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Surfing World
  Phil McNamara
  Max Wells
  Gail Austin
• Simon Anderson Boardrider Club Award presented by Jim Beam
  Northern Beaches Para Surfer Boardriders Club
  Burleigh Boardriders Club
  Le-Ba Boardriders Club
• Surf School of the Year presented by Cooee Toys
  Surf Camp Down Under Surf School
  Surfing Services Surf School
  Salty Girls Surf School
• Greater Good Award presented by Kennards Hire
  Surfing Services Surf School
  Mick Fanning
  Surfrider Foundation
• Breakthrough Surf Brand of the Year presented by QMS Media
  Rivvia
  URBNSURF
  Leash Bar
• Indigenous Surfing – Community Celebration Award presented by Australian Sports Commission (ASC)
  Soli Bailey
  Jordie Campbell
  Russ Moloney 
• Sustainability Award presented by ACCIONA
  YETI
  Patagonia
  Rip Curl

Plus:

• Hall of Fame Inductee
  Luke Egan

About the Australian Surfing Awards:

The 2024 Australian Surfing Awards are open to Australian citizens and cover achievements between January 1, 2024, and October 31, 2024.

The Australian Surfing Awards are proudly sponsored by ACCIONA, Jim Beam, Tracks, Surfers for Climate, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS), Zuum Energy Gum, Hyundai She’s Electric, the Hyundai High Performance Centre (HPC), and Surfing Australia High Performance Program.

For more information, please visit australiansurfingawards.com.