Tom Curren - Waterman of the Year
Three time World Champion and Waterman of the Year, Tom Curren, is considered the leader of the surfing revolution of the ‘80s and a source of inspiration for many of today’s surfers. As the King of Style who has been emulated the world over, Tom’s buttery-smooth rhythm, raw power and unique check turns led him to outsurf the rest. During his reign as World Champion, everyone wanted to surf like Curren. The rivalry in the 80’s between Australian wunderkind Mark Occhilupo and California soul champion Curren produced some of the most exciting competitive clashes in the history of surfing. Their most memorable battle was the Rip Curl Bells Pro semi that clinched Curren's first World Title in 1985. In 2009, the Billabong Pro at Jeffreys Bay pitted the duo in a “Clash of the Icons” for two expression session heats resulting in a tie with one win each. Outside of the water, Curren developed a memorable surfing career alongside Channel Island’s Al Merrick, this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, co-producing and riding many pro surfboard models such as the Black Beauty and the Red Beauty. As an overall ambassador for the sport of surfing, SIMA is proud to be honoring Curren as the 2010 Waterman of the Year.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. - Environmentalist of the Year
Environmentalist of the Year, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, has a heroic reputation as the resolute defender of the environment. Kennedy has been given such prestigious honors as being named one of Time magazine's “Heroes for the Planet,” for his success of helping Riverkeeper lead the fight to restore the Hudson River. The group's achievement helped spawn more than 125 Waterkeeper organizations across the globe, which includes Waterman’s Weekend beneficiary organizations: Assateaague Coastkeeper, Orange County Coastkeeper, Santa Barbara Channelkeeper and Santa Monica Baykeeper. As well as serving as the President of the Waterkeepr Alliance, Kennedy serves as Senior Attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council and Chief Prosecuting Attorney for the Hudson Riverkeeper. Credited for fighting back anti-environmental legislation in congress, Kennedy is regarded as an international model in stakeholder consensus negotiations and sustainable development. His valiant efforts to preserve and protect our waters has set a precedent in environmental law as well as for the future and we are honored to have such a strong environmental leader as this year’s SIMA Environmentalist of the Year.
Al Merrick - Lifetime Achievement Award
For the past four decades the world’s top surfers have trusted this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Al Merrick, with their livelihood. As arguably the most well-known shaper of all time, Merrick’s fingerprints are not only on the revolutionary boards he shapes, but the progression and culture of the surf industry as well. Merrick hand shaped Waterman of the Year Tom Curren’s quiver since Curren was a kid and when Curren’s status as a pro surfer exploded on the scene in the early 80s, so did Merrick and his surfboard label, Channel Islands. While no one can surf like Curren, Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Lisa Andersen or Shaun Tomson, they can at least ride their boards - created by Merrick. Still to this day, Merrick’s mission is to provide the most dedicated surfers with the most advanced, performance designs, continuing not only his legacy, but his impact on the surf industry into the future.