Three more names were cemented into surfing history at last week’s Surfers’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony in front of Huntington Surf & Sport.
The ceremony took place Friday morning with an intimate gathering that drew industry executives, athletes, and past inductees. The 26th annual event honored surfing Olympic gold medalist Ítalo Ferreira, Orange County Register reporter Laylan Connelly, and the Reef co-founder credited with pushing surfing into the Olympics, Fernando Aguerre.
“All three inductees are gold medalists in their own way, class acts and truly the best in their field,” said Surfers’ Hall of Fame founder Aaron Pai in opening remarks to kick off the ceremony.
Ferreira was up first during the ceremony to place his hands and feet in the wet concrete in front of HSS.
“What can I say about this guy?” Kelly Slater said in remarks he sent over to have read in front of the crowd. “When he arrived on tour, I honestly underestimated his talents. He has proven to be one of the most exciting and dynamic surfers ever on tour, winning the hearts of surfers and fans around the world, and has shown us some things nobody has done before.”
Ferreira expressed how “insane” it was to have won the Olympic gold medal in surfing. The athlete grew up in Brazil and borrowed surfboards from family in the beginning before being picked up by surf coach Luiz Campos.
“There’s a lot of history here and my history here, too, so I’m really, really stoked to be added,” Ferreira said to the crowd.
Connelly, who has been with the Register since 2002, is known for her work covering Orange County’s beaches with a focus on surf culture, community, and lifestyle, which nabbed her a spot in the Surfers’ Hall of Fame.
Pro surfer Brett Simpson congratulated Connelly during the induction ceremony.
“We’ve done so many stories together and still to this day, so thank you for all your contributions over the years. I know we’re all very thankful for you covering surfing and many things beyond that,” Simpson said.
Connelly, who wrote “Write On” in her slab of Hall of Fame concrete, had her husband and two children along with Register staffers in attendance.
“I’ve sat on that (audience) side for a good two decades or so and I’ve been to so many of these inductions,” Connelly said. “To be on this side is surreal. It’s just absolutely unexpected…. It’s been such a joy to be here every year, writing about all these amazing people who have been inducted and to be a part of that is just truly special.”
Aguerre also had his family at the ceremony, including his children and his brother and Reef co-founder Santiago Aguerre. Fernando’s work to get surfing into the Olympics was recognized in multiple remarks made by those in the industry.
“Fernando, you’re impressive my friend, my brother. You always have done things in a very passionate way,” Santiago told Fernando in front of the crowd during the ceremony.
Fernando recounted the process of getting surfing into the Olympics and the last-minute suggestion he made to have the last final of the competition switch from men’s to women’s in what he said was a move to honor women.
Said Fernando: “Don’t ever underestimate the power of one, single crazy idea because that’s the way the world works, with crazy ideas.”
Kari Hamanaka can be reached at kari@shop-eat-surf-outdoor.com.
