Waterman's Weekend Honorees

San Clemente-local and Waterman of the Year, Greg Long, is often referred to as “the best young big wave surfer on the planet.” Like the waves he surfs, his resume of accolades is equally as impressive: winner of the 2003 Red Bull Big Wave Africa, the second longest running big wave paddle event in the world; 2008 champion of the Mavericks Surf Contest; in 2008 he earned an official invitation to the most prestigious big wave event of all time, the Quiksilver Eddie Aikau, held at Waimea Bay Hawaii, and won the event in 2009. Long has become one of only two surfers in the world to be invited to all three major big wave paddle events. Long is also the winingest surfer at the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave awards, and has been featured in magazine publications such as Sports Illustrated, Outside, Men’s Fitness and numerous others, as well as newspapers and surf films across the globe. When he’s not tackling the world’s biggest waves, Long gives back to the community by giving motivational presentations to schools and community groups, as well as through his involvement in environmental organizations including Surfrider, Save the Waves, Wildcoast and The San Onofre Foundation.
 

For decades this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, George Downing, has been a leader in the surf industry and community. Growing up on Oahu, Downing became an adept student and pioneer of big-wave surfing while the sport was still in its beginnings. Downing studied the waves and equipment needed to master the giants, and his research and design discoveries helped him create equipment that opened the doors to big-wave surfing. In 1951, Downing constructed what is known as the first board for truly big surf, and it soon became the template for all serious surfers. Downing has shared his incomparable knowledge, research and theories of heavy water with generations of surfers, making him an invaluable leader in big-wave surfing. In fact, Downing serves as the director for the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big wave contest, determining when the conditions are best to hold one of the most prestigious big-wave surfing events. Downing also created the revered Downing Surfboards, and serves as the president of the Surfing Education Association which is dedicated to the preservation of our oceans, coral reefs, waves and beaches.