Surfing Australia are honoured to announce that former Surfing Australia Chair and seven-time World Champion, Layne Beachley AO, was awarded Surfing Australia Life Membership at the 2024 Australian Surfing Awards held Saturday night, December 7.
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.
In January 2015 on Australia Day, Layne Beachley received an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO) for her outstanding achievements and service, recognising her mentoring of young women and influence in the community, and her work through the Aim for the Stars Foundation.
"I am very honoured and humbled by the award. I have always loved what I do and feel very blessed that I have been able to make a contribution to Australian surf culture and our community". - Layne Beachley
Aim for the Stars 2015 Scholarship Recipients: February 2015 PON Community News Notice - example:
INDIVIDUAL WA: Layne became the first female Patron of Surfing Australia in 2023 after stepping down from the board following 14 years of service.
Layne said this past week; "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 CEO 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.
In 2023 Layne Beachley, AO, become the 24th NSW athlete and the first surfer to be elevated to NSW Legend Status.
Layne is the 10th female athlete to be elevated to NSW Legend Status joining the likes of Evonne Goolagong-Cawley, Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, Shane Gould, Louise Sauvage, Anne Sargeant, Heather McKay, Margaret Court, Betty Cuthbert, and Dawn Fraser.
Layne is the first woman to win seven World Championships and in 2018 Layne won an eighth world title becoming the first female winner of the WSL World Masters Championship.
Layne has been inducted into the US and Australian Surfing Halls of Fame and the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. She was five times Australian Surfing Life Magazine’s Surfer of the Year, three times NSW Sportsperson of the Year and won the coveted ESPN Surfer of the Year in 2001. She was 2003 Australian Female Athlete of the Year.
Layne with her award. Photo: Sport NSW
2018: Australians Rob Bain, Layne Beachley and Dave Macaulay won the Azores Airlines World Masters Championship in historic fashion claiming victory in the Final bouts against Cheyne Horan (AUS), Rochelle Ballard (HAW) and Shane Beschen (HAW) respectively in the Grand Masters, Women’s Masters and Men’s Masters divisions held in good three foot surf at praia de Santa Barbara. Photo WSL / LAURENT MASUREL
As residents may be aware Narrabeen Lakes Sailing Club's clubhouse in Jamieson Park, Narrabeen was destroyed by fire on 27 November 2021, and they have been involved in the process of consultation with Council as to the construction of a replacement.
See Community News November 2021, Community News December 2021 and Pittwater Online report:
Narrabeen Lakes Sailing Club Fire: Members Launch Fundraisers to get the kids back on the water after loss of equipment - December 2021
Having been through this process, Council developed a multi-million-dollar proposal which included expanded facilities for the wider community comprising a café as well as boat storage and a meeting room for the club and other sporting community groups.
The NLSC have now been notified by Council that there are no funds available to progress with the building in the foreseeable future.
Council's webpage for the project advises:
''We anticipate construction will begin in late-2025.
We anticipate this project will take 12 months to construct, weather permitting.
As the building was damaged by fire, Council will claim insurance to partially fund a like-for-like rebuild. Subject to the final approved proposal, we will seek grant opportunities to cover any funding shortfalls.
This leaves the NLSC to operate out of storage containers with no all-weather shelter indefinitely.
Artist impression of eastern elevation; View towards cafe and community room: Image: NBC
Artist impression of northern elevation; View towards boat store and water sports facilities: Image: NBC
A spokesperson for the Narrabeen Lakes Sailing Club told Pittwater Online on Friday, December 6
''We are exploring other options and members of the club have registered to address Council in the Public Forum on 10th December (of the December 2024 Council Meeting).
''Having followed Council actions closely over a number of years we understand that the replacement of amenities building at Balgowlah Oval was achieved through the use of a demountable structure. This magnificent new structure, highly commended by the then current Mayor Michael Regan was completed within approximately three months at a cost of less than $900,000. The project was jointly funded by Council and grants from the Greater Sydney Sports Facilities Fund.
See: https://yoursay.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/Balgowlah_oval_amenities
''We propose to put to Council that installation of such a high-tech demountable would be far more cost and time effective.''
''Our Club will have sailed on Narrabeen Lake for 120 years next year. Many generations of families have learnt to sail on the lake which is considered to be the safest place to sail in Sydney. '' the spokesperson said
''We continue to grow despite not having facilities and provide an element of safety on the lake through our presence by way of rescues each weekend.
The previous clubhouse was relatively small but provided shelter. Council’s now shelved proposed plan was far bigger than the originally mooted like-for-like.
''A demountable structure would effectively meet our needs and incorporate provision for future extension should Council desire to do so.'' the spokesperson said in closing.
In the meantime, the NLSC is still offering its Summer school holidays program for youngsters - details are:
Council made available for feedback a proposal for alterations and additions at North Narrabeen SLSC in April 2023.
The proposed upgrade works comprise a minor extension to provide a suitable meeting space for the NNBC and other building improvements that include alterations to:
- improve accessibility
- provide upgraded facilities - including an enclosed space on the first floor deck
- fix waterproofing of the first-floor deck, and
- provide a general upgrade to the building to improve community and member use of the space.
The proposed works are planned to be carried out in three (3) stages:
Stage 1 – Boardriders room, BBQ area renewal and associated landscaping works (GF) and slab extension (L1).
Stage 2 – Internal refurbishment with new ceiling, lighting, flooring (L1).
Stage 3 – Decking renewal and waterproofing works, new enclosed space, balustrades and cladding (L1).
The project aims to provide a new meeting room for the North Narrabeen Boardriders Club to meet their operational needs, address the failure of the waterproofing of the first floor slab and generally improve the facility for members and the community.
The total project cost including professional fees, authority fees and staff costs is estimated to be in the order of $2.85M.
Stage 1 - $780K
Stage 2 - $135K
Stage 3 - $1.95M
The works are proposed to be funded through Council Capital Works programs and grant applications.
Proposed alterations and additions, concept drawing. Sketch: NBC
- improve accessibility
- provide upgraded facilities - including an enclosed space on the first floor deck
- fix waterproofing of the first floor deck, and
- provide a general upgrade to the building to improve community and member use of the space.
- Stage 1 – Boardriders room, BBQ area renewal and associated landscaping works (GF) and slab extension (L1).
- Stage 2 – Internal refurbishment with new ceiling, lighting, flooring (L1).
- Stage 3 – Decking renewal and waterproofing works, new enclosed space, balustrades and cladding (L1).
No Manly to Barrenjoey WSL event in 2025
- North Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club: Proposed alterations and extensions (April 2023 editions)
- Surf Club Facility Program 2024 Allocations are Great News for North Narrabeen, Mona Vale, South Curl Curl (May 2024 Editions)
- Jordan Lawler Wins 2024 World Surf League GWM Sydney Surf Pro.! ( May 2024 editions)
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Aquatics Layne Beachley AO Receives Surfing Australia Life Membership + 2024 Australian Surfing Awards Finalists - Winners
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Events Carols, Christmas Panto at MV for Littlies - get in quick, RPAYC and RMYC events, Regattas, Schools Hols sailing options, Solar & Energy Roadshow at Narrabeen Tramshed, Music, Markets, NYE options, Social Groups, + more.Turimetta Moods: Friday December 6 2024
Joe Mills says:
What stood out for me was the dying off of the algae on the low tide rock shelfs, and this morning's fog at Narrabeen rock pool and North Narrabeen Beach.
the mini-blowhole at Turimetta and algae dying off
Turimetta: rock shelf patterns at low tide
Sea mist at North Narrabeen Beach, Friday morning, December 6 2024
Joe's December edition of Turimetta Moods will run Sunday December 15, and as it's the last official Issue of the news service for 2024, will include an overview of all his Turimetta Moods records of our area for 2024.
