Two legends of surf were inducted into the Australian Surfing Walk of Fame on Sunday 20 July 2025 at Maroubra Beach.

Former Olympian and long-time surf life saver Maxwell Raymond Metzker, and two-time world surfing champion Damien Hardman, also known as ‘The Iceman’, were inducted into the prestigious Walk of Fame at a special presentation at 1pm, as part of Randwick City Council’s annual Beach Breaks event on Sunday.

Maxwell and Damien join the likes of Layne Beachley to have their names engraved into individual bronze plaques laid into the promenade at Maroubra Beach.

Deputy Mayor of Randwick, Councillor Marea Wilson, congratulated Maxwell and Damien for their outstanding achievements and thanked them for their contributions. “Randwick City Council is incredibly proud to host the Australian Surfing Walk of Fame to honour legends of surf such as Maxwell and Damien,” Councillor Wilson said.

“Surfing and surf life saving aren’t just sports – they’re part of our national identity. They reflect our deep connection to the coast, our spirit of community, and our commitment to looking out for one another on and off the beach.

“Damien and Maxwell’s outstanding achievements in Australia and on the world stage have contributed significantly to Australia’s vibrant beach and surf culture. They remind us that global success can start from anywhere, including here in Sydney. Congratulations Maxwell and Damien.”

The Australian Surfing Walk of Fame at Maroubra Beach was initiated in 2006 and is the first of its kind in Australia. It recognises and celebrates the outstanding achievements of Australia’s leading surfers and surf life savers.

The 2025 Australian Surfing Walk of Fame inductees

Damien Hardman
Known as ‘The Iceman’ for his calculating competitive nature, and one of the toughest surfing competitors in the 1980s and ’90s, Damien Hardman is a two-time world champion who began honing his craft on Sydney’s northern beaches at the age of 10.

Damien’s long list of major wins began in 1984 when he became the Australian and World Junior Champion. He went on to claim ASP World Tour titles in 1987 and 1991 and finished runner-up twice. He also finished in the top 10 for seven consecutive years.

Throughout his career Damien won 19 ASP/WCT tour events on all continents. In 1988, Damien claimed seven tour victories in a season and nine victories in the calendar year, a record that still stands today.

Damien was inducted into the Surfing Australia Hall of Fame in 1999. Surfing Australia described him as “one of the prime surfers responsible for raising the performance stakes in the late 1980s, fitting in more vertical manoeuvres per wave than anyone”.

Since retiring from professional surfing Damien has worked with his long-term sponsor Rip Curl through their joint ownership of several Rip Curl stores. Damien has remained active in the surfing community, serving as President of North Narrabeen Boardriders Club for the past five years.

Maxwell Raymond Metzker
A former Olympian, and a multi-time world and Australian surf life saving champion, Maxwell Raymond Metzker began his distinguished career in the water with Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club in the 1970s.

After completing his Bronze Medallion in 1975, Maxwell dedicated 16 years to serving the Maroubra Beach community as a surf life saver, including many years as a patrol captain.

Between 1975 and 1979 Maxwell won four Australian Surf Life Saving titles, including the 1976 junior surf race and men’s open surf race, which involved several competitors who had been selected for the Olympic Games in Montreal that year.

Maxwell made his Olympic debut in 1976, representing Australia in the 400-metre and 1500-metre freestyle swim events at the Montreal Games.

He had his first international success at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Canada, winning a gold and bronze medal in the 1500-metre and 400-metre freestyle respectively. He also claimed a gold medal in the 4 x 200-metre freestyle relay.

In 1980 Maxwell took home his first Olympic medal, winning bronze in the 1500-metre freestyle event at the Moscow Games.

He retired from competing internationally in still water events with another gold in the 1500-metre freestyle at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane. However, Maxwell continued as a surf life saver for many more years. Representing Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club at the 1983 World Surf Life Saving Championships in Hawaii, he won gold medals in the men’s open surf swim race and one mile race.

Media enquiries
Rita Mu – 0429 347 999 or rita.mu@randwick.nsw.gov.au