Smirnoff World Pro-Am Surfing Championships
Encyclopedia
Fred Hemmings
, retired from competition began his career as an event promoter and ran the Smirnoff World Pro-Am Surfing Championships between 1969 until 1977.
Smirnoff World Pro-Am became known as the defacto professional World Championship because the International Surfing Federation had been unable to establish a format or sponsorship so no official amateur championships were held between 1973 and 1975.
The World Champions were:
The Smirnoff World Pro-Am Surfing Championships were superseded by the International Professional Surfers
(IPS).
Fred Hemmings
Fred Hemmings is a world-known surfer who served as a Republican member of the Hawaii Senate from the 25th District. Elected in 2000, he served as Senate Minority Leader from 2002 to 2010. Previously he was a member of the Hawaii House of Representatives from 1984 through 1990...
, retired from competition began his career as an event promoter and ran the Smirnoff World Pro-Am Surfing Championships between 1969 until 1977.
Smirnoff World Pro-Am became known as the defacto professional World Championship because the International Surfing Federation had been unable to establish a format or sponsorship so no official amateur championships were held between 1973 and 1975.
The World Champions were:
- 1969 Corky CarrollCorky CarrollCorky Carroll was a professional American surfer and is considered a pioneer in the sport by becoming the first real professional surfer as well as being the first to receive endorsements.-Life and career:...
, USA, & Margo Godfrey, USA; - 1970 Nat YoungNat Young (surfer)Robert Harold "Nat" Young is an Australian surfer and author.Born in Sydney, New South Wales, Young grew up in the small coastal suburb of Collaroy. In 1964, he was runner-up in the Australian junior championship at Manly, and two years later was named world surfing champion in 1966. He won the...
, Australia; - 1971 Gavin Rudolph, South Africa;
- 1972 Paul Neilsen, Australia;
- 1973 Ian CairnsIan CairnsIan Cairns is a former champion surfer who was also influential in establishing the world professional surfing circuit and particularly the World Championship Tour....
, Australia; - 1974 Reno Abellira, Hawaii and
- 1975 Mark RichardsMark Richards (surfer)Mark Richards , known as MR, is an Australian surfer, five time world champion , and highly respected by his peers.In 2000 Mark was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his service to Surf Riding.- Youth :...
, Australia. - 1976 Mark Warren, Australia, and Jericho Poppler, USA, and;
- 1977 Reno Abellira, Hawaii, and Jericho Poppler, USA;
The Smirnoff World Pro-Am Surfing Championships were superseded by the International Professional Surfers
International Professional Surfers
The International Professional Surfers organization was the original world governing body of professional surfing that existed between 1976 and 1982. The IPS brought together a loose affiliation of surf contests around the world by forming one world circuit.The IPS was formed by Fred Hemmings and...
(IPS).