Ian Cairns
Encyclopedia
Ian Cairns is a former champion surfer who was also influential in establishing the world professional surfing circuit and particularly the World Championship Tour.
After moving west with his family from Victoria in early 1967, Cairns dominated the surfing scene in his adopted state of Western Australia
. From the age of 13 he consistently won every competition on offer. He moved to Hawaii
in the early 1970s in search of big waves and before a professional circuit had established. Cairns joined the Australian team at the 1970 and 1972 World Surfing Championships and at Laniakea off Oahu
in December 1973 he won the Smirnoff Pro
event at Sunset Beach
from Hawaiian Jeff Hakman. He won other big events in the Duke Kahanamoku Invitational Surfing Championship
in 1975 and World Cup events in 1976 and 1980.
In 1975 Cairns and fellow Australian Peter Townend
devised a rating and scoring system for surfing events. In 1979 he moved to California
and with Townend formed the National Scholastic Surfing Association
(NSSA). In 1983 he became the first director of the Association of Surfing Professionals
(ASP) of which he is a life member.
He returned to Australia in 1986 where he farmed at Margaret River, Western Australia
. In 1996 he returned to California where he now lives with his wife Alisa Schwarzstein and twin sons. Schwarzstein is a former ASP professional. Cairns is currently Head Coach of the PacSun USA Surf Team.
Cairns was inducted into the Western Australian Hall of Champions
in 1990 and into the Surfing Walk of Fame at Huntington Beach, California, as a Surf Champion in 2010. The Western Australian Surfers' and Waveriders' Association awards the Ian Cairns Award to the Western Australian male surfer of the Year.
After moving west with his family from Victoria in early 1967, Cairns dominated the surfing scene in his adopted state of Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
. From the age of 13 he consistently won every competition on offer. He moved to Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
in the early 1970s in search of big waves and before a professional circuit had established. Cairns joined the Australian team at the 1970 and 1972 World Surfing Championships and at Laniakea off Oahu
Oahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
in December 1973 he won the Smirnoff Pro
Smirnoff World Pro-Am Surfing Championships
Fred Hemmings, retired from competition began his career as an event promoter and ran the Smirnoff World Pro-Am Surfing Championships between 1969 until 1977....
event at Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach
- United States :* Sunset Beach , in Cape May, New Jersey* Sunset Beach , in Pupukea, Oahu, Hawaii* Sunset Beach State Recreation Site, in Oregon* Sunset State Beach, near Watsonville, California- Canada :* Sunset Beach, Alberta...
from Hawaiian Jeff Hakman. He won other big events in the Duke Kahanamoku Invitational Surfing Championship
Duke Kahanamoku Invitational Surfing Championship
The Duke Kahanamoku Invitational Surfing Championship is named in honor of the "Father of Modern Surfing", Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku. The contest began in 1965 by invitation only at Sunset Beach on the North Shore of Oahu until it was replaced by the Billabong Pro in 1985...
in 1975 and World Cup events in 1976 and 1980.
In 1975 Cairns and fellow Australian Peter Townend
Peter Townend (surfer)
- Early Surfing Years :Townend was born in Coolangatta, Queensland , was considered to be one of the best surfers in the world throughout the 70's and 80's. Some however might argue that the competition was a lot less competitive and the surf tours were loosely planned, none-the-less his title...
devised a rating and scoring system for surfing events. In 1979 he moved to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and with Townend formed the National Scholastic Surfing Association
National Scholastic Surfing Association
The National Scholastic Surfing Association is a surfing association in the United States. It is the highest level for competitive amateur surfing in the country. Founded in 1978 by Chuck Allen, John Rothrock and Tom Gibbons, the association was formed with the purpose of uniting amateur surfers...
(NSSA). In 1983 he became the first director of the Association of Surfing Professionals
Association of Surfing Professionals
The Association of Surfing Professionals is the governing body for professional surfers and is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best talent in a variety of progressive formats.- Predecessors to the ASP :...
(ASP) of which he is a life member.
He returned to Australia in 1986 where he farmed at Margaret River, Western Australia
Margaret River, Western Australia
Margaret River is a town in the South West of Western Australia, located in the valley of the eponymous Margaret River, south of Perth, the state capital. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River....
. In 1996 he returned to California where he now lives with his wife Alisa Schwarzstein and twin sons. Schwarzstein is a former ASP professional. Cairns is currently Head Coach of the PacSun USA Surf Team.
Cairns was inducted into the Western Australian Hall of Champions
Western Australian Hall of Champions
In 1983, the Sportswriters' Association of Western Australia proposed a Western Australian Hall of Champions to honour past athletes from the state who had made a significant impact in their sport...
in 1990 and into the Surfing Walk of Fame at Huntington Beach, California, as a Surf Champion in 2010. The Western Australian Surfers' and Waveriders' Association awards the Ian Cairns Award to the Western Australian male surfer of the Year.
See also
- Shaun TomsonShaun TomsonShaun Tomson is a South African professional surfer and former world champion, environmentalist, actor, author and businessman.-Life and career:...
- Mark RichardsMark Richards (surfer)Mark Richards , known as MR, is an Australian surfer, five time world champion , and highly respected by his peers.In 2000 Mark was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his service to Surf Riding.- Youth :...
- Bustin Down The Door