Surfing Australia are honoured to announce that former Surfing Australia Chair and seven-time World Champion, Layne Beachley AO, was awarded Surfing Australia Life Membership at the 2024 Australian Surfing Awards held Saturday night, December 7.
Layne Beachley AO is a surfing legend. Claiming a remarkable seven world titles, she is the only surfer in the world to win six consecutively.
Her path to success was filled with challenges: adoption, mental illness, life-threatening injuries, and failures. Embracing setbacks as growth opportunities, Layne’s honest and determined approach to life and success is inspiring. Author, motivational speaker and champion for the environment, she also promotes mental wellness as an ambassador for The Black Dog Institute, RUOK? Day and Gotcha4life. Her journey from adversity to greatness has inspired her to guide others to live happier and more purposeful lives through her transformational work at Awake Academy.
"I’m deeply humbled and grateful to receive this award," Layne said. "While it’s an honour, it also reminds me how much more there is to do. Being the first and only woman to achieve this recognition is not lost on me.
"My surfing career spanned nearly two decades: Seven world titles, 29 tour victories, and 17 years in the top 10. But it was beyond the waves where I found the most purpose—challenging norms, advocating for equality and driving progress.
Serving on the ASP board for 15 years, I fought for pay equity, better events and a fairer future for women’s surfing. I’m proud to have led initiatives like staging the richest surfing event in the world for seven years, raising prize money, wave quality and exposure for the women’s tour.
"Inspired by these challenges, I founded a charitable foundation to support girls and women in achieving their dreams, whether in sport or life. Aim For The Stars granted about 500 women a total of $1 million in scholarships to help them achieve greatness and change the world.
In January 2015 on Australia Day, Layne Beachley received an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO) for her outstanding achievements and service, recognising her mentoring of young women and influence in the community, and her work through the Aim for the Stars Foundation.
"I am very honoured and humbled by the award. I have always loved what I do and feel very blessed that I have been able to make a contribution to Australian surf culture and our community". - Layne Beachley
Aim for the Stars 2015 Scholarship Recipients: February 2015 PON Community News Notice - example:
INDIVIDUAL WA: Layne became the first female Patron of Surfing Australia in 2023 after stepping down from the board following 14 years of service.
Layne said this past week; "My 14 years on the Surfing Australia board, including eight as Chair, taught me invaluable lessons in leadership, resourcefulness and collaboration. Together, we pushed the sport forward and shared its stoke.
Building a world class High Performance centre and program, developing clear and powerful pathways for future champions, becoming an Olympic sport and investing heavily into the grass roots are just some of my personal highlights.
"Giving back to my community has been equally rewarding—mentoring, coaching and championing female participation for my local boardriders club and sharing my lessons and experience with the future generation as part of the Talent ID program. Surfing remains at the heart of everything I do, bringing me endless joy and keeping me centred. I love it more now than ever and am forever grateful for the support I’ve received along the way.
"Thank you for this incredible honour. It inspires me to keep riding the wave of progress."
Surfing Australia CEO Chris Mater said: "Let me tell you something about Layne Beachley. Everyone knows her as one of the greatest surfers of all time—a true champion in the water. But what many might not realise is just how remarkable she is out of the water. As Chair of Surfing Australia, Layne didn’t just lead—she transformed. She doubled the organisation’s turnover, and she did it with the same grit, intelligence, and vision that made her a world champion. Layne is smart, she’s dedicated, and above all, she’s selfless. She didn’t just serve the sport she loves—she elevated it for future generations. That’s leadership. That’s Layne Beachley."
Even today, Layne surfs every day, enjoys Rosé, and admits her biggest weakness is hot chips.
Surfing Australia Life Membership is recognition of a person who has rendered distinguished or special service to the sport of surfing at the national level. It is awarded from time to time when the Surfing Australia Board and the Annual General Meeting of members believe it is warranted.
In 2023 Layne Beachley, AO, become the 24th NSW athlete and the first surfer to be elevated to NSW Legend Status.
Layne is the 10th female athlete to be elevated to NSW Legend Status joining the likes of Evonne Goolagong-Cawley, Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, Shane Gould, Louise Sauvage, Anne Sargeant, Heather McKay, Margaret Court, Betty Cuthbert, and Dawn Fraser.
Layne is the first woman to win seven World Championships and in 2018 Layne won an eighth world title becoming the first female winner of the WSL World Masters Championship.
Layne has been inducted into the US and Australian Surfing Halls of Fame and the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. She was five times Australian Surfing Life Magazine’s Surfer of the Year, three times NSW Sportsperson of the Year and won the coveted ESPN Surfer of the Year in 2001. She was 2003 Australian Female Athlete of the Year.
Layne with her award. Photo: Sport NSW
2018: Australians Rob Bain, Layne Beachley and Dave Macaulay won the Azores Airlines World Masters Championship in historic fashion claiming victory in the Final bouts against Cheyne Horan (AUS), Rochelle Ballard (HAW) and Shane Beschen (HAW) respectively in the Grand Masters, Women’s Masters and Men’s Masters divisions held in good three foot surf at praia de Santa Barbara. Photo WSL / LAURENT MASUREL
Layne Beachley, Cooper Chapman and some young fans at Blast Off Idol at Palm Beach RSL in 2012. Photo: AJG/PON
Layne and Pam Burridge at Seas the Day 2024
7x World Champion Layne Beachley competing in the Celebrity Challenge at Seas The Day 2024. Image: Andy Morris / Surfing Australia
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 presented by Experience Gold Coast
- 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
Surfing Australia Academy Award presented by Bede Durbidge
Media:
Australian Surf Photo of the Year presented by Tracks
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
Hall of Fame Inductee
- Luke Egan