Salty Seas announced as 2022 Australian Surfing Awards finalist

SOME of the biggest names in surfing have been revealed as finalists in the 2022 Australian Surfing Awards incorporating the Hall of Fame.

Jack Robinson, Ethan Ewing, Stephanie Gilmore and Sophie McCulloch are among the top athletes who could take out Male and Female Surfer of the Year.

“You won’t be too surprised by the finalists given the high calibre of surfing in 2022,” Surfing Australia CEO, Chris Mater said.

“It’s been an epic 12 months for our athletes and the surfing community making this year’s event one of the most exciting yet. This is a chance to recognise not only our top surfers but also those who work behind the scenes in events, business, media, photography and more.”

This year Allison O’Halloran of Salty Seas Surf School at Inverloch has been named a finalist for the Ruffie Coach of the Year Award, whilst surf photographer Ted Grambeau (originally of Bass Coast) is a finalist for Surf Photo of the Year.

“It’s very exciting,” Allison exclaimed.

“I was in the peak of my season working every day, I had no idea I’d been nominated! Very unaware.

“I’m still struggling to get my head around it, I’m just humbled to be a part of the whole process. In a room full of a lot of people I idol as well; it will just be a really wonderful thing to be a part of.”

Booking flights with the assistance of her daughter, Lily, Allison is overjoyed at the momentous occasion.

“This is my sixth year with my own surf school. I’ve been coaching for 13/14 years now.

“I found out that it was a couple of very loyal customers that nominated me, obviously, I’m extremely appreciative. I didn’t even know there was such a thing!”

The news broken to Allison by former Surfing Victoria CEO, Max Wells.

“I was made aware of it through a close friend of mine, Max Wells. He rang me to congratulate me, and I was actually at Wilsons Prom just have a few days off surfing. And I said, I don’t even know what you’re talking about. I actually thought he was just having fun with me, so I just left it alone and waited until I came home a couple of days later to try and get my head around it.”

And whilst Allison is having a weeks break after the summer period she’ll be back in the Victorian surf from mid-February.

Australia Surfing’s night of nights will be held at QT Gold Coast on Thursday, February 16.

Hosted by surf media icons, Vaughan Blakey and Jess Grimwood, the awards honour the best surfers over the past 12 months across 17 categories, adding to the excitement of our biggest gong, the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame, which this year goes to Taj Burrow.