2025 Surfing Australia's - Hall of Fame Awards

Tuesday 9th December - 2025

At the 2025 Surfing Australia Hall of Fame Awards it became abundantly clear to me that if the future of Australian surfing lies largely in the hands of Surfing Australia, then I’m here to tell you that we’ve got no worries at all.

The evening was a masterfully orchestrated technical show that fired off with military precision and was solely dedicated to shoring up the very foundation blocks of Australian surfing’s true strength.  Whether you follow celebrity culture or not, Surfing Australia's strategy of leveraging raw surfing talent coupled with fitness and personality enhancements remains a masterclass in the modern era of the star building process.

2025 Surfing Australia Hall Of Fame Awards. Gold Coast Convention Centre.

Reno Gillespie (left) and Steve Core, accepting the major award of the night on

behalf of Graham 'Sid' Cassidy. The honour was Sid's induction into

Surfing Australia's National Hall of Fame Award.

Photo: Peter Gillespie

If nurtured and scaled effectively, this approach will redefine the entire industry. Built on Surfing Australia’s supportive networks and innovative ideas, these rising young star trails, above all, highlight the importance of self-belief, curiosity, and resilience. 

All I can say respectfully, is that we didn’t need royalty like Mick Fanning or Mark Richards to carry the night, this brigade of twinkling surf stars is, as ‘Rabbit’ would have termed as: ‘Busting Down The Door’.

Prepare yourself Brazilians, Hawaiians and Californians, there’s a bold new breed heading your way. 

(Above) The Sandshoes Boardriders table & crew:

Left to right: Peter Gillespie, Neil Coleman, Michael Durante, Reno Gillespie,

Chris Durante, Steve Core, Robbie Carr, former World Champion,

Peter Townend, who flew all the way from California for the event.

Sorry, but I’m an old washed up surfer from another era and I don’t get to hang out on the current World Tour like we used to do when we worked alongside pro surfing guru, old mate, Sid Cassidy. This is all new to me.

For this gala evening event, I was in for some mild shell shock as I was abruptly brought up to speed with the current state of the surfing nation.
My lifelong Cronulla friend Graham ‘Reno’ Gillespie and I were invited by Surfing Australia to attend the 2025 Hall of Fame Surfing Awards on the 6th December. 2025.

Walking into Hall 4 in the Gold Coast Convention Centre the mood was set right

from the get go for this year-end feature gathering. The space was basically a

perfectly over-sized box but it had been transformed into an intimate space.

It was set up for a live, big screen, video presentation and soulfully bathed in rich,

deep blue lighting, blue stage trimming and flared curtain up-lighting and blue

floral arrangements. A good eye for detail from the event builders to set the

ocean related ambiance no doubt. Blue. Nicely executed and it worked a treat too.

Photo: Surfing Australia

  
We were selected because with Sid Cassidy in full time institutional care with advanced dementia there were no family members available to accept the honour. 
Walking into Hall 4 in the Gold Coast Convention Centre the mood was set right from the get go for this year-end feature gathering. The space was basically a perfectly over-sized box but it had been transformed into an intimate space.

It was set up for a live, big screen, video presentation and soulfully bathed in rich, deep blue lighting, blue stage trimming and flared curtain up-lighting and blue floral arrangements. A good eye for detail from the event builders to set the ocean related ambiance no doubt. Blue. Nicely executed and it worked a treat too.

First off, the evening’s host and MC, Vaughan Blakey did a sterling job. I’ve never met him previously. Not only was he witty and chatty, he was 100% surf cred knowledgeable. Throughout the evening, Vaughan drip fed us countless bio’s to update the audience about each category winner's backstory, the age at which they started, and the key to their success. 

Entwined in his astute and sharp observations Vaughan was bloody funny too, in bringing us his fresh perspectives unburdened by conventional wisdom.
And Vaughan buddy, I used to do the live beach commentary for Sid on his ASP Pro World Tour events in the ‘70s and ‘80s, like you asked the Channel 9 guy on stage that night “Got any jobs going mate?” 

The charming Annie Goldsmith, the young female para surfer of the year. Goodness gracious. Such a talented surfer and an absolutely heartwarming genuine love of life from someone who has more to overcome in daily life then all of us put together.

Annie you are just a wonderful young lady, an awe inspiring example in every sense. During your speech I had tears in my eyes from your beautiful attitude and outlook on life and surfing. Simply outstanding.

Graphic: Surfing Australia

In a switch up of the program, the major award of the night going to Sid was going to be first cab off the rank. So guess what? It turns out that Reno and I were the evening’s opening act. 

We had to be the ice breakers and be first up on the main podium. Our host, Vaughan skilfully set it all up for us by presenting a beautiful encapsulated summary of Graham ‘Sid’ Cassidy’s lifetime anthology and his achievements. 
Then Reno and I had to accept the award in Sid’s honour and place. As lifelong friends that have known, recreated with, surfed with, and worked with, Sid for the last 50+ years. It was our privilege and completely humble honour.

Sid himself was a very humble man, he would have been overwhelmed by this level of attention centered on him. With that out of the way, the night could get into full swing. 

Where do I start? I had my socks completely blown off with the awesome surfing talent that we saw in superb video grabs and heard from in all categories throughout the evening. 

Surfing Australia's Head honcho, Ace Buchan, provided an awesome opening speech that had me totally believing that we were in good and steady hands.
All the winners were so impressive in their individuality. The amount of raw talent gathered for the evening was simply overwhelming.

Yet another amazing young female surfer, just 13-years old, Leihani Kaloha Zoric

walked off with the 2025 Stephanie Gilmore Rising Star Award. So impressive.

Leihani's award was presented by Molly Picklum (right).

Photo: Surfing Australia

The charming Annie Goldsmith, the young female para surfer of the year. Goodness gracious. Such a talented surfer and an absolutely heart warming genuine love of life from someone who has more to overcome in daily life then all of us put together.

Annie you are just a wonderful young lady, an awe inspiring example in every sense. During your speech I had tears in my eyes from your beautiful attitude and outlook on life and surfing. Simply outstanding.

And another amazing young female surfer, just 13-years old, Leihani Kaloha Zoric walked off with the 2025 Stephanie Gilmore Rising Star Award. So impressive. 
And what about Molly Picklum? Give me a break. This young lady is not only a super talented surfer (sorry, current World Champion, duh!) but she comes packing a charming and a disarming personality, far from a cookie-cutter Hollywood ego type personality. Totally at ease with a microphone in her hand.

Presenter, Pauline Menzer (left) and the charming Annie Goldsmith,

the 2025 young female para surfer of the year.

Photo: Surfing Australia

If your were a national brand commodity marketing boss and looking for a athlete to sponsor how could you past this excellent young sports women, with crystal clear eyes, beautiful natural smile, white teeth, fresh face (no botox) that can express herself and her thoughts crystal clear and doesn't umm or err in a sentence. Absolutely brilliant.All the winners in all the categories were perfect choices, so a big congratulations must go to all of them.

When we picture surfing’s bedrock founders, we often imagine experienced adults armed with decades of know-how. Yet history shows that some of the most iconic startups in this new world have sprung from the minds of youngest entrepreneurs with bold ideas well before they turned thirty or even twenty in some cases.

Well as I see it, that’s Surfing Australia from what I gathered in dealing with them over the last month or so. Very impressed. Sid would be proud.

So, am I a newly converted fan, you bet. I don't know what's in the water up there at Casuarina, but guys, please keep on drinking it.

*

2018 Battle of the Reefs

Thursday 4th December - 2025

My mate Rodney Clarke, Instagram handle: 𝗥𝗼𝘄𝗱𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿 posted this on his popular surf Instagram account this morning for the benefit of his loyal band of Rowdinians to absorb... thanks Rod...

Almost 52 years ago Steve Core took this shot of Peter Townend out the Point.
I remember at the time it was the most impressive shot capturing a moment that I would chase to emulate most of my life.

The commemorative t-shirt back print for 'The Battle of the Reefs' from September 2018.
Cronulla Point Boardriders Vs Sandshoes Boardriders.
Just for the record... Sandshoes took out the victory.
Photo: Rowdstar

I had only started surfing the Point in maybe ‘72 but by 1986 I had bought a place smack in front of the Island, just around the corner from where this shot was taken
.
Well this morning I was putting on this shirt to do some painting for the day, and as I looked at this shot from the “Battle of the Reefs” between Shoes and the Point (I was president of the point at the time) I noticed Steve’s name at the bottom, of course.

I am lucky enough to call Steve a great friend now and he is going to the Surfing Hall of Fame awards on the Gold Coast tomorrow to except the “Lifetime Achievement Award” on behalf of a very sick Sid Cassidy.

This morning's post on Instagram by Rowdstar

Such a momentous occasion is it, that PT is flying out from the U.S. where he has lived for decades to join Steve in accepting the award for Sid.

As I went to put on the t-shirt I sent a photo of it to Steve so he could show PT.

Who could have guessed how a moment in time could still be with us all these years later. As I said to Steve “that photo’s got legs”.

Some Kind Of Paradise...

Saturday 28th November, 2025

Recently I was contacted by a young Brisbane-based, singer-songwriter about using some of my old 16mm surfing footage to accompany an original new track she was releasing. I was open to the idea and I asked Dana Gehrman to send me the audio track.

The track is called 'Some Kind of Paradise'. Dana sent me the audio and when I listened to it I really liked it instantly. Because I've always been a big Jimmy Buffett fan and I love that slower island escapism style of music.

Brisbane guitarist and powerhouse vocalist Dana Gehrman channels the warm, sunlit spirit of '70s West Coast music into a sound that’s unmistakably her own. With vintage swagger, sharp songwriting and a soul-drenched voice that commands attention, she blends roots-rock, blues and soul into a vibrant modern style that honours the greats while forging a fresh, personal path.

A little bit of Dana's history for you... her debut album 'Find A Way' marked her as one of Australia’s most compelling new artists, and she followed it with 2023’s 'Down In Hollywood', earning glowing four-star praise from Rhythms Magazine and further solidifying her reputation as a performer with grit, groove and heart. Now the 2025 Carol Lloyd Award winner, Gehrman is immersed in new material slated for release in 2026.

The footage you see in Dana's clip is from my 1975 Surf Film 'Ocean Rhythms'. Which was all shot by me on 16mm film. Dana digitally edited this short clip herself and set it to her 'Some Kind of Paradise'.

Oh, and I let Dana use my footage free of any charge. Just the promise if she does make it to the top I want front row tickets and a backstage 'All Access' pass at a big live concert she does.

As music guru Molly Meldrum used to say "Do yourself a favour and give this a listen to", and to support Dana and her obvious talent hit the like button if you like it. We may be helping a gifted young artist fight her way through from the city to some kind of paradise.

2025 Sandshoes Boardrider’s Annual Presentation

Monday 24th November - 2025

My lifelong friend Graham ‘Reno’ Gillespie and I were invited to present the inaugural Graham ‘Sid’ Cassidy Award at the 2025 Sandshoes Boardrider’s Annual Presentation this past weekend.

The newly created Award was going to be bestowed on the Outstanding Junior of the Year. And was created to stand as a perpetual reminder and an enduring tribute to Sandshoes Boardriders co-founding forefather, Sid Cassidy.

Standing proudly with is his Sid Cassidy 2025 Young Person of the Year trophy
is Nate Larkin. Flanked by Sandshoes old guard presenters,
Graham 'Reno' Gillespie on the left and Steve Core on the right.
Photo: Steve Cryer

The function was held at the South Cronulla Bowling Club, ironically, like the Sandshoes Reef break itself, it is a museum unto itself. The Club is located on the very tip of the South Cronulla peninsula. Making the Bowling Club the southernmost point of metropolitan coastal Sydney where you can purchase a legal beverage.

Casting our minds back even further Reno and I did reminisce that we actually attended one of Sid’s birthday soirees here in the early ‘70s. There were plenty of surf stars in attendance for that one including former World Champion, the Animal himself, Nat Young.

Through his blue ribbon Pro contest administration skills, Sid worked closely with every top surfer in the world. He had plenty of speed dial connections with surfing's 'A' list elite.

Winner of the 2025 Sandshoes Boardrider's Open Division, Luke Wedesweiler.
Photo: Steve Core

I have to say that Reno and I were so impressed with the Sandshoes Boardriders end of year presentation. What knocked us for a loop was the splendid sense of community and pride that this group has for one another and their environment. They are so supportive of each other it is just beautiful to see.

And I thought to myself, this is exactly the vision that Sid Cassidy had for the Boardriding fraternity that he helped found back in the ‘70s. If he would have been present on this day he would have been super proud of what he saw. Believe me.

Reno and I did get to tell a few old tales of our early days with Sid, starting somewhere back in the mid-sixties.

Sid ended up living at the very end of Orient Avenue, right on the Esplanade that overlooked his most cherished Sandshoes reef break. Next door but one on Orient Avenue was Ross Longbottom and his young family, including (then) toddlers Daz Longbottom and Dylan Longbottom.

In fact Reno is Dylan Longbottom’s godfather.

Winner of the 2025 Sandshoes Boardrider's Super Grom division - Harvey Richards.
Photo: Steve Core

Between all our thousands of surfs out at Sandshoes, there were endless numbers of barbecues, backyard cricket innings, touch footy games, table tennis matches. Orient Avenue became the hub of our surfing social lives.

The winner of the first ever Graham ‘Sid’ Cassidy Sandshoes Junior Club Person of the Year went to Nate Larkin. A tall unassuming excellent surfer. And guess where Nate lives? Yep, you got it - how ironic… right on Orient Avenue. Who would have ever thought you could join the dots of the Sandshoes long line of surfing pedigree together like that?

I'll tell you why it works... it works because the South Cronulla peninsular is a true cul de sac Surfing community, it's surrounded by salt water on all three sides.

And this 150-strong Sandshoes Club, is chock full of juniors, who are nurtured by a sturdy administration of almost spiritual leaders and supported by young, working-class, healthy families who all thrive on their enthusiasm of hardy, tight community values of like mindedness and sense of purpose.

Sid would be so proud.

Sandshoes Boardriders new Award in honour of Sid Cassidy

Monday 10th November - 2025

As voted lifetime members of Sandshoes Boardriders Club, my life-long friend Graham ‘Reno’ Gillespie and myself (Steve Core) look forward to attending the 2025 Annual Presentation on Sunday 23rd November at South Cronulla Bowling Club.

We’ve been asked to present the Graham ‘Sid’ Cassidy Award to the Sandshoes Junior Club person of the Year. What an honour it is for us to do this and represent our old mate, Sid Cassidy.

(Above) Here’s a classic group photo of the three of us, Reno, Sid and myself at the 1983 Sandshoes Annual Presentation at the Cronulla Workers Club in The Alley at North Cronulla.

In recent days, Reno and I had a visit with Sid and as most of you know, Sid is in permanent medical care. We’ll be pleased to share the outcome of our visit with Sid.

And a photo (above) with the three of us snapped just a week or so ago. The photos were taken 42-years apart.

Peter Glasson - Colour of Thought

Friday 7th November - 2025

Thumbing back through the pages of Cronulla's surfboard history, we can't ever forget Peter 'Glasso' Glasson's classic 'Colour of Thought' Surfboard brand from the 1970s.

Peter was up there in the ranks of the better surfers to come out of Cronulla and was a bold & skilled big wave charger. Additionally, he was one of our best surfboard shapers and had a legion of loyal followers. He had immersed himself in his explicit taste for bigger wave performance mini-guns.

As a mature shaper, his precision shapes by hand were his real trademark. His influence was clearly bigger wave performance.

These great images of a lovingly restored Peter Glasson 'Colour of Thought' surfboard popped up on a Western Australia-based Facebook page today. It's a perfect example of '70s realism in surfboard design, structure and strong tonal contrast in its presentation. A working class surfboard to say the least.

Shire surfboard collector Larry Cohen, describes it as "a semi-gun round tail. A real down the line speed machine with a lean and hungry nose, but it’s got decent area through the rear of the board for power surfing in big OZ swells. Thickness under the nose and high volume. Flat bottom, hard down rails, this board was shaped for an experienced surfer. Glasso should add his technical details".

'Glasso' like me, was a Kogarah boy and not only did we live a few streets apart we were born only two days apart in the same year.

Choosing not to set up in the standard industrial enclaves of nearby Taren Point, Glasso started his 'Color of Thought' Surfboard label in an ex-Ferry Keeper's cottage on the verge of the super busy Princes Highway, tucked in against the banks of the Georges River, right at the entrance to the Tom Uglys bridge.

The ferry (or punt) used to ply across the Georges River before the steel truss bridge was completed in 1929. A hand-operated punt service from Tom Ugly's Point to Horse Rock Point connected the St George area to the Sutherland Shire at Sylvania.

The funky surf-related location diffused its unusual and remote position. That area is technically in the suburb of Sylvania, which is in the Sutherland Shire.
That original building is now long gone but it was the exact same spot where the current Pronto Restaurant now stands. Given the high volume of traffic on the Princes Highway these days it would be a difficult retail location to get pain-free customer access to in daylight hours.

These days Peter has long retired the very top end of the NSW coast, just below the Queensland border and he is a master fly fisherman often chasing the feisty 'Saratoga', a fresh water fish known for their fighting ability. Saratoga are not considered a good eating fish because of their fine bones, so it's mostly catch and release.

This red bad boy will be nicely persevered for a few more decades and generations of surfers to come, thanks to Wayne Winchester at the Surf Gallery in southern WA for the photos and the magnificent restoration work.

Or you can call in to check out the Surf Gallery at 50750 South Coast Hwy, Youngs Siding, WA. (located between Albany and Denmark) on the Great Australian Bight.

2025 Surfing Hall of Fame Awards

Wednesday 6th November - 2025

Lunch last friday at 'Next Door' in the North Cronulla Alley, with Cronulla & Sandshoes legend (left) Graham 'Reno' Gillespie, me in the middle, and Luke Madden of Surfing Australia on the right.

We were in deep discussion with Luke and Surfing Australia about their surfing 2025 Hall of Fame Awards presentation night on December 6th at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.

Finally, our life-long friend, Cronulla-based, Graham 'Sid' Cassidy will be honoured in front of the surfing world's gathered elite. Sid will be inducted into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame with a lifetime Achievement Award for his services rendered to Surfing.

What a monumental honour for Sid.

Sandshoes legend (left) Graham 'Reno' Gillespie, me in the middle, and Luke Madden of Surfing Australia on the right.

As most of you are now aware, our one time powerhouse of surfing administration, 'Sid', is now in full-time, live-in, dementia care. He will be unable travel or to make to the gala event in his honour.

On the big night, not only will we be representing Sandshoes Boardriders and all of the surf fraternity in Cronulla and the Sutherland Shire, but the wider, mainstream pro surfing community that Sid worked so tirelessly for and held so special in his heart.

Reno and myself will be in attendance with extreme pride and honour and we will be accepting the award on the night, December 6th, 2025 on behalf of our old mate Sid.