12TH ANNUAL SURF & BOARDSPORTS INDUSTRY AWARDS CELEBRATE EXCELLENCE
Manly, 20th October, 2023 – The Surf & Boardsports industry united last night for the 12th Annual Surf and Boardsports Industry Awards (SBIA Awards). Held at the iconic Manly Pacific Hotel, the anticipated event brought together more than 100 personalities from the industry including retailers, brand representatives and industry stalwarts for a night of celebration and recognition.
The SBIA Awards, renowned for acknowledging outstanding brands, retailers, products, environmental initiatives, retail achievements, and marketing campaigns, has established itself as a cherished tradition in the Surf and Boardsports community. This year marked a special return to the Manly Pacific Hotel, the Awards’ original home.
MCs, Dane Sharp and Lyndall Browning, hosted the evening, guiding everyone through the program where 22 of the renowned wave trophies were handed out. The night was filled with remarkable moments and achievements, including introducing the new ‘Store Manager of the Year’ category to honour the hardworking individuals on the front lines of the industry.
Among the standout moments, Rip Curl and The Leisure Collective were no strangers to the stage, each clinching multiple awards, showcasing their dedication to innovation and excellence. The retail categories were fiercely competitive, with finalists undergoing rigorous interviews to determine the winners, ultimately landing in the hands of Surfboard Empire for Core Board Store, Star Surf + Skate for Single Store and Strapper Surf for Multi Store Retailer of the Year.
JS Industries walked away with the prestigious Surfboard of the Year award, while Volcom secured the Men’s Marketing Campaign of the Year award for the 4th consecutive year. Reef achieved an impressive feat, winning Footwear Brand of the Year for the 5th consecutive year, and Rip Curl secured Swimwear Brand of the Year for the 5th time in a row. Creatures of Leisure celebrated their 4th consecutive win as Surfing Accessory of the Year, while Rip Curl’s 11th consecutive win in the Wetsuit of the Year category was a remarkable milestone.
Manly Beach was also the meeting place for friendly rivalry in the form of our annual Tag Team Surfing event. With fun conditions on offer, all 20 surfers took to the waves with fierce enthusiasm, hoping to hold the championship title for the next 12 months. After a close competition, TEAM RED consisting of Ian Macpherson, Jamie Thomson, Tim Dickson, Igor and Shane Partington emerged victorious.
The event also welcomed new brands, retailers and faces, underscoring the industry’s ever-evolving landscape. The 12th Annual SBIA Awards was a testament to the industry’s enduring spirit, creativity, and the unwavering passion of all those who drive its success. A genuine appreciation for the unique culture of the surf and boardsports community filled the air, and we at SBIA look forward to doing it all again in 2024.
We would like to acknowledge and thank all our brand and retail members for their participation and continued support of the SBIA Awards. We truly value your efforts!
We will have the full gallery of memorable moments available on our website soon!!
PLEASE REMEMBER TO SHARE YOUR AWARDS PICS ON SOCIALS AND TAG US:
@sbia.com.au
#sbiaawards2023
