AND THE WINNER OF “WATERMAN OF THE YEAR” IS... FERNANDO AGUERRE!

Translation: Heido Sundstrom

On Saturday, August 13, 2013, the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) held their annual Waterman’s Ball at the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel, California and awarded the highest honor in the surfing industry to ISA President, Fernando Aguerre.

This prestigious recognition has only been awarded to surfing legends like: Kelly Slater, Laird Hamilton, Andy Irons, Rob Machado, Rell Sunn, Greg Noll, Gerry Lopez, Hobie Alter, wetsuit inventor Jack O’Neill, the filmmaker that created Endless Summer, Bruce Brown and now the President of the ISA, Fernando Aguerre.

Grammy-nominated musicians and surfers Brandon Boyd and Incubus were also in attendance and awarded the Environmentalists of the Year award. As well as professional surfer and former World Champion, Peter “PT” Townsend, who received the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award and the founder of Waves for Water, Jon Rose, who received the Special Achievement Award for his ongoing work in helping the environment and disaster victims, specifically in the recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy.

SIMA President, Doug Palladini, praised the work of Aguerre saying, “Fernando is helping to advance the sport of surfing, which is an important part incorporated in the term “Waterman” and is part of the reason why he was selected by SIMA to receive this honor. From taking the ISA to new regions or his lobbying for surfing to become an Olympic sport to keeping up with the latest development of wave pools, Fernando keeps advancing our sport and industry to the forefront of people’s minds.”

Meanwhite, Aguerre commented, ¨Surfing and my love for the waves and the ocean are the backbone of my life. I will always continue working for those in need with my heart as my compás and my passion as fuel.