November 1 - 30, 2025: Issue 648

 

Graham "Sid" Cassidy to be inducted into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame

On Monday November 3 2025 Surfing Australia was honoured to announce that Graham “Sid” Cassidy will be inducted into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame at the 2025 Australian Surfing Awards.

An influential journalist, promoter, and event director, Graham “Sid” Cassidy was instrumental in shaping professional surfing throughout the 1970s and 1980s — not just in Australia, but across the global sport. 

As a lifelong surfer, Graham first used his platform to elevate the sport and attract major corporate sponsorships, including the long-running 'Coca-Cola Surfabout'. Graham was there when the APSA (Australian Professional Surfing Association) was formed, pre-dating the IPS (International Professional Surfers) organisation. An expert in PR and marketing, Graham was celebrated for his unwavering commitment to putting surfers at the heart of everything he did.

When the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP, now the World Surf League: WSL) World Tour idea was conceived, Sid was on board from day one and pivotal in bringing other key events into the ASP fold. Cassidy went on to serve as Executive Director of the ASP from 1987 to 1994, where he helped establish the tiered competition structure that underpins the modern World Tour. In the early 1990s, Sid was instrumental in linking the ASP and the 'Bud Surf Tour', creating what is globally recognised as the World Qualifying Series.

Following his time in surfing, Graham transitioned into senior media and marketing roles. He served as Media Director for the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games before taking on the role of Director of City Engagement for the City of Sydney.

Graham’s influence extends well beyond his professional achievements. His passion for surfing and commitment to growing the sport have left a lasting mark on the Australian surfing community.

 Graham 'Sid' Cassidy and 11X World Champion, Kelly Slater. Image: John Veage.

Ian Cairns, fellow Hall of Fame Member, friend, and work colleague of Graham, reflected on his iconic legacy, saying:

"When I came up with the ASP idea, Sid was my first call, on board from day one, and helped swing other key events towards the ASP. He was a PR and Marketing whizz, but he always made sure he looked after the surfers. When I stepped down from ASP, Sid stepped up to run the ASP — like he needed a second job!!"

"When I came back to the US in the early 90’s, and was running the Bud Surf Tour, Sid came to me with the idea of linking the ASP and the Bud Surf Tour and creating the World Qualifying Series."

"Always creative, always supportive, always pushing for what was best for surfing and the surfers. Sid is a Legend in our sport, and I’m so stoked he’s being honoured for the Surfing Hall of Fame." 

2X World Champion and fellow Hall of Fame Member, Tom Carroll, spoke on Graham's commitment to the sport:

"Graham Cassidy stepped up and gave his full commitment to a crucial stage in the adolescence of the 1970-80’s professional surfing dream, navigating a time of blind excitement, giving this wild idea connective tissue, and also structure within the very nucleus which became our current expression of Pro Surfing."

 

Graham Cassidy. Image: John Veage.

Fellow founding member of the Australian Professional Surfers Association (APSA), Terry Fitzgerald, spoke about the honour of working alongside Graham:

"Midway through competitive surfing’s Black Hole years of 1970-1975, Graham came up with a vision that created the modern surfing era. He singlehandedly brought major sponsors to the table, and then set about forming the Australian Professional Surfers Association and creating an Australian Ratings Tour — an all-inclusive launching pad from Australian regional events to the World Tour."

"Graham's contribution via his professional surfing events and his promotion of surfing through his journalism skills created a pathway at the very heart of professional surfing’s foundations."

"I could not have been more fortunate than having ‘Sid’ showing the way in those halcyon, ground-breaking days." 

6X World Surfing Champion, Hall of Fame Member, and Surfing Icon Layne Beachley commended 'Sid's' induction into the Hall of Fame:

"Sid’s love for surfing was boundless, it ran deeper than the ocean’s trenches. When women’s surfing struggled for recognition, Sid stood with us, cheered for us, and helped us rise. His induction is a tribute to a man whose spirit, support, and passion shaped the waves of Australian surfing forever." 

Adrian 'Ace' Buckan, Chair of the Board at Surfing Australia, reflected on the lasting effect of Graham's leadership and vision:

"When I joined the Dream Tour in the mid 2000’s, I was acutely aware of the work that Graham had done to bring the dream to life for my generation. He brought a clear vision, an athlete-first mentality and a hunger to provide opportunities for surfers and fans alike."

"Our incredible sport is deeply indebted to his contributions and I’m thrilled that he is being acknowledged with induction into the Hall of Fame." 

About the Australian Surfing Awards Incorporating the Hall of Fame

First convened in 1985 by the Australian Surfriders Association (now Surfing Australia) to preserve the history of Australian surfing and honour its great achievers. Each year the Australian Surfing Awards incorporating the Hall of Fame are presented to those who have made a significant contribution to the development of surfing in this country.

The Australian Surfing Awards celebrate and honour the people and organisations shaping our surf culture and industry. They recognise excellence across high performance, participation and community, media, and innovation.

Other Awards at the 2025 Australian Surfing Awards

High-Performance:

  • Female Surfer of the Year pres. by NRMA Insurance
  • Male Surfer of the Year pres. by Boost Mobile
  • Mick Fanning Male Rising Star Award (U18) pres. by AIS
  • Stephanie Gilmore Female Rising Star Award (U18) pres. by AIS
  • Female Para Surfer of the Year pres. by Australian Sports Commission
  • Male Para Surfer of the Year pres. by Australian Sports Commission
  • Heavy Water Award pres. by Dometic
  • Shaper of the Year pres. by Thermos:
  • Coach of the Year Award pres. by BlackRoll

Media:

  • Australian Surf Photo of the Year pres. by Tracks Magazine
  • Surf Clip of the Year – Surfer & Filmer Award (under 45 sec) pres. by Celcius Energy Drink:
  • Surf Film of the Year – Filmer Award 

Participation & Community:

  • Peter Troy Lifetime Achievement Award pres. by Surfing World
  • Simon Anderson Club Award pres. by Jim Beam
  • Surf School of the Year Award pres. by Cooee Toys
  • Greater Good Award pres. by Kennards Hire
  • Breakthrough Surf Brand of the Year pres. by Better Beer
  • Indigenous Surfing Community Celebration Award pres. by Australian Sports Commission

The 2025 Australian Surfing Awards will be held on December 6, 2025, at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre Broadbeach, QLD and are proudly supported by Jim Beam, ACCIONA,  The Star Gold Coast, Thermos, Tracks Magazine, Surfers For Climate, The Australian Institute of Sport, Queensland Academy of Sport, Zuum Energy Gum, Surfing Australia High Performance Centre, Holly Grail Events.

For more information head to australiansurfingawards.com

Graham 'Sid' Cassidy surfing around Sydney. Image: John Veage.