Photos from the Return of Waterman’s

Waterman’s at The Ranch returned Saturday after a year’s absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The format was smaller with fewer in attendance and the event moved from the golf course to a patio and ballroom. However, the mood was ebullient given the post Olympics glow and the strength of the surf market in general at the moment.

Lots of top industry executives were there, and there was spirited bidding for items such as a Tavarua Surf Trip, a new 2021 Audi, a night session at Surf Ranch and a vacation at the Billabong Pipeline House with proceeds benefitting environmental organizations that protect the ocean.

Honorees included Carissa Moore as Waterperson of the Year, Dick Metz received a Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Harper Brothers were honored as Environmentalists of the Year.

Carissa was not in attendance but USA Olympic Surfing Coach Brett Simpson accepted the award on her behalf.

Former SIMA Executive Director Sean Smith also received an award for his 20 years of service to the organization.

Here at SES, we thought the smaller crowd made the evening more intimate with fewer distractions, especially during the ceremony. That meant everyone was able to hear ISA President Fernando Aguerre recount interesting stories from Tokyo, Dick Metz, 92, share racy tales from the early days of surfing and surf exploration, and Peter Harper sing an impromptu spiritual with the crowd serving as backup band.

Below are photos we took from the evening.

Andrea Harvey and Rip Curl's Paul Harvey

Team Reef: Santiago Aguerre, Mike Jensen, Mike Matey and wife, Amy

Karen Sarver of Vissla and Mike Wallace of Billabong

Karen Burke and Peter Burke

Jake Schwaner of Hobie and wife, Tori

Vince De La Pena of Vissla, Dick Metz, Bob Mignogna, John Giangardella

Steven Fisher of Surf Expo, Sawyer Frank of Elastic, Lauren Riehle, Roy Turner of Surf Expo

PT Townend and Joni Casimiro

Peter Harper with a guitar he donated to the auction

Fernando Aguerre recounting stories from Tokyo

Paul Naude welcoming the group to the event

Dick Metz - 92, and still vibrant and frisky

Vipe Desai served as MC for the night

Peter Harper who wowed the crowd with an impromptu song and a passionate environmental message

Paul Naude of Vissla and Florencia Gomez Gerbi of Greenpacha Hats

Jordan Ogier, Jaimie Foote, Lindsay Henkels and Carrie Piccolini

Team Rip Curl: PJ Connell, Mary Miller, Dylan Slater

The recently retired Vicki Redding of Vans and Shannan North of Boardriders

Joe Brown of O'Neill and Drew Dolkas of Roark

Sarah Reilly with Boardriders' Mike Reilly and Fuzzy Schroeder

ISA President Fernando Aguerre, Alani Aguerre, Cecilia Aguerre, Santiago Aguerre

Leilen Shelton and Boardriders' Jason Shelton

Taryn Tichiaz and husband David Tichiaz of Vans

Lana Blankinship and RVCA's Brad Blankinship

Mike Matey of Reef and Mark Tinkess of O'Neill both sit on the SIMA Board of Directors - SES file photo

Ajai Datta of Boardriders, Diem Culley of Rip Curl and husband, Steve

Brandon Lowery of BSR Surf Ranch, Crystal Hilsley, Bob Graff of Wasserman, and Roy Turner of Surf Expo

Andrea Harvey and Rip Curl's Paul Harvey

Team Reef: Santiago Aguerre, Mike Jensen, Mike Matey and wife, Amy

Karen Sarver of Vissla and Mike Wallace of Billabong

Karen Burke and Peter Burke

Jake Schwaner of Hobie and wife, Tori

Vince De La Pena of Vissla, Dick Metz, Bob Mignogna, John Giangardella

Steven Fisher of Surf Expo, Sawyer Frank of Elastic, Lauren Riehle, Roy Turner of Surf Expo

PT Townend and Joni Casimiro

Peter Harper with a guitar he donated to the auction

Fernando Aguerre recounting stories from Tokyo

Paul Naude welcoming the group to the event

Dick Metz - 92, and still vibrant and frisky

Vipe Desai served as MC for the night

Peter Harper who wowed the crowd with an impromptu song and a passionate environmental message

Paul Naude of Vissla and Florencia Gomez Gerbi of Greenpacha Hats

Jordan Ogier, Jaimie Foote, Lindsay Henkels and Carrie Piccolini

Team Rip Curl: PJ Connell, Mary Miller, Dylan Slater

The recently retired Vicki Redding of Vans and Shannan North of Boardriders

Joe Brown of O'Neill and Drew Dolkas of Roark

Sarah Reilly with Boardriders' Mike Reilly and Fuzzy Schroeder

ISA President Fernando Aguerre, Alani Aguerre, Cecilia Aguerre, Santiago Aguerre

Leilen Shelton and Boardriders' Jason Shelton

Taryn Tichiaz and husband David Tichiaz of Vans

Lana Blankinship and RVCA's Brad Blankinship

Mike Matey of Reef and Mark Tinkess of O'Neill both sit on the SIMA Board of Directors - SES file photo

Ajai Datta of Boardriders, Diem Culley of Rip Curl and husband, Steve

Brandon Lowery of BSR Surf Ranch, Crystal Hilsley, Bob Graff of Wasserman, and Roy Turner of Surf Expo

Andrea Harvey and Rip Curl's Paul Harvey