Aloha Award in memory of John Shimooka

The Aloha Award in memory of John Shimooka

For building a better community through surfing

In November 2020, Surfing NSW and the global surfing industry was deeply saddened by the premature passing of former tour surfer and Surfing NSW Partnerships General Manager John Shimooka.

John knew more than most the challenges of mental health and was an advocate and co-author of the development of programs Surfing NSW was developing under its Mental Health 360 program.

He was also a contributor more generally to Surfing NSW’s development of other programs to build a better community through surfing, including Her Wave, empowering women through surfing; and Surfers Rescue, teaching surfers formal techniques to save lives.

About the Aloha Award

The award will be both democratic and equitable by design. Annually there will be a male and female winner, with a committee accepting nominations from all comers in 2022 to choose the standout candidates.

We will open a call for nominations on November 9, 2022 with a request for a maximum of 50 words or less to accompany each nomination to explain how the nominee has contributed to building a better community through surfing. Nominations will close on November 30, 2022 at 5pm ESDT, with the announcement of winners on the 12th December 2022. 12.12

Nominations are being taken below.

Criteria

A surfer whose passion and community spirit spreads stoke and aloha during the calendar year. Their achievements may be in fields as diverse as performance surfing, coaching, mental health, surf rescue, boardrider clubs, commentating or surfing administration.

Aloha Award in Memory of John Shimooka Winners

2021
Brenda Miley for her 27 years of contribution to the surfing industry as the founder of the Let’s Go Surfing learn-to-surf business which operates at Bondi Beach, Maroubra Beach and Byron Bay.

Matt McSorley was acknowledged for his work as President of Queenscliff Boardriders Club for the past five years as an instrumental component in building membership programs for girls and groms, championing the inclusion of Aboriginal heritage into the club and re-engaging older members.