Through a selection ballot, a host of respected surf industry veterans, former professionals and surf journalists, narrowed down a field of hundreds of candidates to name the six 2017 Surfing Walk of Fame honourees in their respective categories: Barton Lynch (Surf Champion), Jeff Hakman (Surf Pioneer), Jim Jenks (Surf Culture), Timmy Reyes (Local Hero), Pam Burridge (Woman of the Year) and the Huntington Beach High School 50th Anniversary Coaches – Bill Garland, Bruce Gabrielson, Rob Hill, Chuck Allen, Andy Verdone (Honour Roll).

Burridge, 1990 World Champion and 15-time World Tour event winner, shined brightly with the stoke of a grommet as she accepted the award, at the 24th anniversary of the ceremony.

“Surfing has saved me from a lot of things,” Burridge said.

“But it doesn’t fix everything.

“I let surfing fuel me throughout my career, but it’s not just about me.

“I love these types of gatherings and sharing the waves with others.”

The Surfing Walk of Fame is the only tribunal in surfing to award specific categories as well as require a 10-year margin since the commemorating achievement.

This year’s recipients have been cemented alongside past inductees, earning their immortal place in the pavement on the corner of PCH and Main Street, directly across from the famous pier in Surf City USA — Huntington Beach, California.

“With surfing headed towards the Olympics, it’s exciting times for the SWOF as we move into our 24th year,” chairman of the board Don MacAllister said.

“The Surfing Walk of Fame induction is a highly-recognised event and we have plans for a new coffee table book to celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2018. 

“We are pleased to have such a distinguished group to represent the surfing world this year.”

The 52-year-old now runs the Pam Burridge Surf School at beach locations such as Mollymook, Narrawallee and Bendalong.