Western Australia’s Jack Robinson (Margaret River), was honoured for an outstanding year, taking home two prestigious WA Surfers of the Year Award’s at Surfing WA’s State Championships presentations over the weekend. The event celebrated the accomplishments of West Australian boardriders across various codes throughout the 2024 season.
More than 300 surfing enthusiasts and community members gathered at Surfing WA’s headquarters in Trigg, where Robinson was celebrated for making history as Australia’s most successful Olympic surfer and for his incredible achievements on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT).
Robinson was awarded the Ian Cairns Male Surfer of the Year, for his incredible consistency, which saw him clinch WSL CT victories at Sunset Beach and Margaret River. Robinson made his third consecutive WSL Finals appearance, finishing ranked fourth in the world. He was also a key player in Australia’s bronze medal performance at the ISA World Surfing Games in Puerto Rico, cementing his status as one of the world’s most talented and versatile surfers.
Robinson’s silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, delivered a career-defining performance at the iconic Teahupo’o in Tahiti and saw him capture the Mike McAuliffe Performer of the Year award.
Robinson said being recognised by his home state in such a way was truly humbling.
“It’s amazing, I’m super grateful,” he said. “You know, it’s where I grew up, and I know a lot of people say that, but I feel it when I come back here. It really grounds me every time I come home; I never forget it. So cool to see all the talent and everyone showing up here today.”
Surfing WA CEO Mark Lane praised Jack’s achievements and his role in elevating the profile of surfing in Western Australia and Australia as a whole.
“Jack’s success is an inspiration to surfers everywhere, especially here in Western Australia,” said Lane. “He’s not only an outstanding competitor but also a role model for the next generation of surfers coming through. His dedication, resilience, and sportsmanship set a new standard for excellence in our sport.”
Willow Hardy (Margaret River), was awarded the Jodie Cooper Female Surfer of the Year Award, after helping Team Australia secure gold at the ISA World Junior Championships in El Salvador and for her amazing performance throughout the 2024/25 WSL Qualifying Series (QS). Hardy is currently in second on the Australia / Oceania QS rankings and is aiming to qualify for the WSL Challenger Series (CS) in 2025.
Ruby Berry (Margaret River), was announced as the Murray Smith Junior Surfer of the Year, after winning two 10,000 rated events; The Occy Grom Comp and Rip Curl GromSearch on Phillip Island. Berry is currently the top-rated Under-18 Girl in the country heading into the Australian Junior Surfing Titles in Wollongong, NSW at the end of the month.
The event also honoured 49 State Champions across a range of disciplines including shortboard, longboard, bodyboard, and stand-up paddle. Amongst the State Champions that ranged from Under-12’s through to Over-70’s, were five National Champions including; bodyboarder Ebony Schell (Mindaire), longboarder Paul Burke (Dunsborough), and stand-up paddle boarders, Isi Campbell (Denmark), Chris Twomey (Karrinyup) and Jamie Ralston (Bicton).
Surfing WA looks forward to the continued success and inspiring performances of these champions as they leave an indelible mark on the rich legacy of Western Australia’s surfing history.
2024 West Australian State Surfing Champions
Think Mental Health WA Bodyboard Championships:
OPEN MEN: Ben Veitch (Margaret River)
OPEN WOMEN: Ebony Schell (Mindarie)
DROP KNEE: Barry Hammond (Dunsborough)
UNDER 18 JUNIOR BOYS: Kyle Schubert (Leschenault)
UNDER 14 GROM BOYS: Paul Baur (Duncraig)
OVER 35 MASTERS: Chad Jackson (Dunsborough)
OVER 45 GRAND MASTERS: Sean Oberholzher (Dunsborough)
West Coast Suspensions WA Longboard Championships:
OPEN MEN: Anthony Spencer (Trigg)
OPEN WOMEN: Maddie Barrett (Cottesloe)
OVER 40 MEN: Dane Quirk (Exmouth)
OVER 40 WOMEN: Shae Sheridan (Dunsborough)
OVER 45 MEN: Paul Burke (Dunsborough)
OVER 50 MEN: Paul Burke (Dunsborough)
OVER 50 WOMEN: Samantha Vanderford (Greenhead)
OVER 55 MEN: Dave Smith (Osborne Park)
OVER 60 MEN: Brent Moss (Esperance)
OVER 60 WOMEN: Judy Dann (Two Rocks)
OVER 65 MEN: Barrie Mckinnon (Dunsborough)
OVER 70 MEN: Stan Davies (Daglish)
UNDER 18 JUNIOR BOYS: Kai Flynn (Cowaramup)
Stand Up Surf Shop North Freo WA SUP Championships:
OPEN MEN: Peter Tomsett (Greenwood)
OPEN WOMEN: Isi Campbell (Denmark)
10FT OPEN MEN: Crawford Olney (Spearwood)
10FT OPEN WOMEN: Tashka Goswell (Scarborough)
OVER 40 MEN: Chris Twomey (Karrinyup)
OVER 50 MEN: Chris Twomey (Karrinyup)
10FT OVER 50 MEN: Jamie Ralston (Bicton)
OVER 60 MEN: Jamie Ralston (Bicton)
UNDER 18 JUNIOR GIRLS: Isi Campbell (Denmark)
West Coast Suspensions WA Surf Masters Championships:
OPEN MEN: Maverick Wilson (Dunsborough)
OPEN WOMEN: Emma Cattlin (Yallingup)
UNDER 21 PRO JUNIOR: Okie Fraser (Margaret River)
OVER 35 MEN: Jesse Molloy (Golden Bay)
OVER 35 WOMEN: Belinda Adams (Busselton)
OVER 40 MEN: Andrew Sheridan (Margaret River)
OVER 45 MEN: Andrew Sheridan (Margaret River)
OVER 50 MEN: Warren Boyes (Dunsborough)
OVER 50 WOMEN: Samantha Vanderford (Greenhead)
OVER 55 MEN: Brian Williams (Mandurah)
OVER 60 MEN: Patrick Connell (City Beach)
OVER 65 MEN: Barrie Mckinnon (Dunsborough)
Woolworths WA Junior Surfing Titles:
UNDER 18 JUNIOR BOYS: Okie Fraser (Margaret River)
UNDER 18 JUNIOR GIRLS: Ruby Berry (Margaret River)
UNDER 16 CADET BOYS: Cruz Uros (Dunsborough)
UNDER 16 CADET GIRLS: Olive Hardy (Margaret River)
UNDER 14 GROM BOYS: Cruz MacDonald (Geraldton)
UNDER 14 GROM GIRLS: Ily Fraser (Margaret River)
UNDER 12 MICRO GROM BOYS: Ollie Holmes (Dunsborough)
UNDER 12 MICRO GROM GIRLS: Summer Barkhuizen (Eglinton)
Western Australian Surfer Of The Year Awards:
IAN CAIRNS MALE SURFER OF THE YEAR: Jack Robinson (Margaret River)
JODIE COOPER FEMALE SURFER OF THE YEAR: Willow Hardy (Margaret River)
MURRAY SMITH JUNIOR SURFER OF THE YEAR: Ruby Berry (Margaret River)
MIKE MCAULIFFE PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR: Jack Robinson (Margaret River)
For more information on all things surfing in Western Australia be sure to check out: www.surfingwa.com.au
