Former Surfing Australia Chair and seven-time World Champion, Layne Beachley AO was awarded Surfing Australia Life Membership at the 2024 Australian Surfing Awards on Saturday night, 7 December.
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.
“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 chief executive officer 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.
