Fred Hemmings, retired from competition as a surfer, began his career as an event promoter and ran the Smirnoff World Pro-Am Surfing Championships between 1969 and 1977.[1]

The Smirnoff World Pro-Am became known as the de facto professional World Championship because the International Surfing Federation had been unable to establish a format or sponsorship, so no official amateur championships were held between 1973 and 1975.[2] Laura Lee Ching became the first woman to compete in the Smirnoff World Pro-Am in 1973.[3][4]

World Champions
Year Men's Women's
1969  Corky Carroll (USA)  Margo Godfrey (USA)
1970  Nat Young (AUS)
1971  Gavin Rudolph (RSA)
1972  Paul Neilsen (AUS)
1973  Ian Cairns (AUS)
1974  Reno Abellira (HAW)
1975  Mark Richards (AUS)
1976  Mark Warren (AUS)  Jericho Poppler (USA)
1977  Reno Abellira (HAW)  Jericho Poppler (USA)

[5]


The Smirnoff World Pro-Am Surfing Championships were superseded by the International Professional Surfers (IPS).

References

  1. ^ The Encyclopedia of Surfing, Matt Warshaw, p. 548 (accessed 27 April 2011)
  2. ^ The Encyclopedia of Surfing, Matt Warshaw, p. 548 (accessed 27 April 2011)
  3. ^ "Laura Ching". Thesuperstars.org. 1950-12-25. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
  4. ^ "'Superstar' Laura Ching Posed Nude For Magazine". Sarasota Journal. Sarasota. December 20, 1974. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  5. ^ The Encyclopedia of Surfing, Matt Warshaw, p. 548 (accessed 27 April 2011)
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