A long-time surf life saver, one of Australia’s first certified female surf coaches, and a professional kneeboard champion will be inducted into the Australian Surfing Walk of Fame in Sydney’s east this month.

Peter (Cuz) Kirkwood AM, Susan Wood-Moore, and David Parkes will join revered life savers and world-class surfers – including Aussie surfing icon Layne Beachley AO – to have their names set in bronze along the promenade of Maroubra Beach.

The three legends of surf will be inducted at 1pm on Sunday 21 July at Randwick City Council’s annual Beach Breaks event, which celebrates the proud and colourful surfing history and culture of Maroubra Beach.

Randwick Mayor Philipa Veitch congratulated this year’s inductees and highlighted them as role models in the Australian community.

“The Australian Surfing Walk of Fame is a prestigious and sought after award within Australia's surfing beach culture,” Mayor Veitch said. “Inductees are highly regarded and are recognised for their outstanding contributions to Australia’s surfing and beach culture and community.

“Randwick City Council congratulates the 2024 inductees of the Australian Surfing Walk of Fame.

“Peter and Susan have dedicated decades to surf and water safety in our community, and David has raised Australia’s surfing profile around the world. All of them have given back to the community and, through their passion for surfing, have inspired people of many backgrounds and generations to learn or excel in the sport.

“Congratulations to Peter, Susan and David for their incredible achievements and well-deserved recognition on the Australian Surfing Walk of Fame.”

Beach Breaks is a free community event held on Sunday 21 July, at Maroubra Beach, from 11am to 4pm. The Australian Surfing Walk of Fame presentation will begin at 1pm, hosted by local sporting legend Mike Whitney AM.

Australian Surfing Walk of Fame 2024 inductees

Peter (Cuz) Kirkwood AM

Peter (Cuz) Kirkwood AM has been involved in surf life saving for 60 years. Peter has coached and mentored younger generations of surf life savers, and still coaches and races to this day.

Peter joined Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) in 1965 and completed his Bronze Medallion in 1966. He served on the Maroubra SLSC committee for 23 years and was club captain. Peter was recognised with life membership in 1980. He was also awarded NSW surf life saving life membership in 2016 for his contribution to state level over many years.

Peter has helped to deliver more than 100 surf life saving coaching courses and has contributed to countless hours of coaching clinics across the world.

He races for the Maroubra SLSC and has coached at the club for more than 30 years. He has raced for Maroubra SLSC since 1965 and still competes in the Masters events.

Peter won a gold medal at the Australian titles in 2024 in the 70 years and over short board riding category.

Peter has earned 102 medals at World, State and Australian Titles, between 1972 and 2024.

Susan Wood-Moore

Susan Wood-Moore became one of the first certified female surf coaches in 1985 and was the first person to establish formal surf schools in Australia.

Susan established Australia’s first surf school, Safe Surf Schools, in 1987. The school was head quartered in Maroubra and focused on inclusivity and safety. The school encouraged many members of the community, especially women, to learn how to surf.

Susan has also taught minority groups, including LGBTQIA+ groups, people with disability, disadvantaged youth, and people undergoing drug rehabilitation how to surf.

In 1995, Safe Surf Schools was the first surf school to introduce surfing to schools for their sport activity. Susan has continued to pioneer surf and body board programs for primary and high schools such as Emmanuel College, Brigidine College, South Sydney High, and The French School. These programs are now an ongoing end-of-year activity at many schools across Sydney.

Susan also created an Ocean Awareness and Safety Program that was popular with tourists, and helped establish Let’s Go Surfing schools.

David Parkes

David Parkes is a surfer, international renowned kneeboard rider, and surfboard manufacturer.

David started surfing at Maroubra Beach in the early 1970s. He joined Maroubra Kneeriders Association in its inaugural year of 1976, and went on to represent Maroubra and Australia with distinction and pride.

David has won several world titles, including the Kneeboard Surfing World Title Masters 2004, International Surfing Association (ISA) World Kneeboard Championship Open Men’s Title 2013, and ISA World Kneeboard Championship Grand Kahunas Title 2013.

David has also won five state titles NSW and QLD, and six Australian titles. He won the Philip Island Kneeboard Classics three times, and also won the Duranbah Easter Classic three years in a row.

David has been a renowned surfboard shaper for more than 40 years, and has shaped surfboards for world champions. He has also been a mentor for upcoming surfers.

Beach Breaks full program

Main stage – beach promenade

11.00 am: Will Baker

12:05 pm: DJ Sheba

1.00 pm: Australian Surfing Walk of Fame presentation hosted by Mike Whitney AM.

1:40 pm: DJ Sheba

2:25 pm: Southern Beaches Boardriders Storm – surfing competition presentation (subject to surfing schedule)

2:35 pm: London Brown

McKeon St Plaza stage

11.00 am: Music on Purpose

12:15 pm: Carmon

1:30 pm: Danielle Lamb

3.00 pm: Citizens of The World

Activities: roving entertainment, garden and beach games, a mechanical surfboard, facepainting and bubbles for the kids.

Food stalls

• Corn Kingdom Chips on a Stick
• The Fudge Shop
• Ash’s Nachos
• H&S Turkish Gozleme
• Yiayia's Honey Balls
• Gamal Falafel Bar

Product stalls

• Aileen Anderson Art
• Bezo Beez
• Grift Surfboards
• Let’s Go Surfing
• If the Florist
• Cheriss Health Emporium
• Erin’s Face Painting