SURFERS’ HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 2023 HONOREES

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California, March 14, 2023 - The Surfers’ Hall of Fame Committee is honored and blessed to announce Ítalo Ferreira, Laylan Connelly and Fernado Aguerre as the three inductees in the upcoming 2023 ceremony to be held in Huntington Beach, California on Friday, August 4th, 9:00am, at the corner of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway.

“The sport of Surfing has such an amazing history, spirit and culture all its own. We are super stoked to be able to preserve a part of our Surfing History in this unique and special way, for future generations to enjoy. We are here for the love of surfing. That is our main purpose, our passion and our drive behind what we do,” said Aaron Pai, founder of Surfers’ Hall of Fame.

“What a totally amazing class of 2023 Surfers’ Hall of Fame Inductees, ÍtaloFerreira, Laylan Connelly and Fernado Aguerre are! Each of them have a passion and a love for our Sport of Surfing and have changed the world and made it a much better place! We are super excited to celebrate their achievements and contributions to our Sport of Surfing,” Aaron Pai went on to say.

Ítalo Ferreira, a Brazilian Professional Surfer, is one of the most explosive surfers in the world and is known for his high-energy approach and willingness to entertain at all costs. In 2019, Ítalo started by winning the first tour stop of the year and later he won the inaugural Red Bull Airborne event. Ítalo went on to win the final event of the year at Pipe Masters, becoming the Men’s World Surfing Champion. On July, 27th, 2021, Ítalo Ferreira won the first Men's Olympic Surfing Gold Medal in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.

Laylan Connelly started as a Journalist in 2002 and her impact and influence on the Sport of Surfing has been instrumental. Through her writing, Laylan has served as a bridge between the tight-knit surfing community and the outside world, so that people who have never known the thrill of riding a wave, can gain insight on Surfing’s unique culture and marvel in stories of inspiration, determination and successes among the Surfing Tribe. Laylan has helped elevate Surfing over the past two decades by reporting and journaling a sport that will be represented in the Olympics 2024.  

Fernando Aguerre was born in Argentina and immigrated to Southern California in 1984 to launch Reef Brazil. Today, President of the International Surfing Association, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, and passionate global promoter of surfing culture, Fernando is the man who for nearly three decades relentlessly pushed to get Surfing included into the Olympics. Fernando considers himself a devoted “Bridge Builder” between organizations, cultures, countries, and all types of groups, as a part of his objective of helping build a better world.

High Resolution Images- https://jmp.sh/UnhN9vxa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Taylor Pai

EMAIL: taylor@hsssurf.com

The Pai Family along with the Surfers’ Hall of Fame is steadfast in their passion to continue this legacy of paying tribute to those who contribute greatly to the sport of surfing.

The Surfers’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony pays tribute to those individuals who have made an indelible mark on the sport, industry, and culture of surfing. Annually, tens of thousands of visitors travel to Huntington Beach’s downtown area and literally walk in the footsteps of surfing superstars and legends from several eras including Laird Hamilton, Andy Irons, Jack O’Neill, Robert August, Bob Hurley, Sean Collins, Kelly Slater, Lisa Andersen, Gerry Lopez, George Downing, Ben Aipa, Shane Dorian, Greg Noll, Corky Carroll, Rick Fignetti, Shaun Tomson, Rob Machado, Sumo Sato, Timmy Turner, Ryan Turner, Casey Wheat, Shawn Stussy, Rabbit Kekai, Bethany Hamilton, Mick Fanning, Brett Simpson and many more, who are already immortalized in cement.