Surfing industry excellence honoured at awards

THIS year’s Australian Surf Industry (ASI) Association Honours Night has recognised and celebrated outstanding contributions to the surfing community.

The packed event at The Sands Resort in Torquay was well timed, following closely after day two of competition at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.

The Annual Surf Industry Honours Night, was an evening of celebration and recognition. With a gathering of industry professionals, athletes, surfing enthusiasts and supporters, the event was one of the best on the calendar.

Our 2024 Honourees celebrated on the night were:

• Ethan Ewing, with the Surfer of The Year Award, in recognition of his 2023 World Surf League campaign, which included injury setbacks, perseverance and sheer grit, and his outstanding contributions to the sport
• SurfAid, with the Environmental and Social Impact Award, in recognition of their commitment to improving the health, wellbeing and resilience of remote communities connected to surfing throughout Indonesia and the Solomon Islands, and
• Geoff Backshall, with the Service to the Industry Award, for being a true industry stalwart and a foundation brand board member of ASI (formerly the Surf and Boardsports Industry Association).

The event featured live music by local band Jarosite and DJ Dimity Stoyle, and a selection of wines from The Hidden Sea.

Well-known industry personality Neil Ridgway served as the event’s MC, and Damian “Damo” Campbell entertained the audience as charity auctioneer.

Just over $16,000 was raised, with proceeds going to SurfAid, Youth Focus WA, and One Wave.

The ASI Association thanked its partners and sponsors, including The Hidden Sea, Stryker Media and the Surf Coast Times, for making the night possible.