Smirnoff World Pro-Am Surfing Championships


Former 1968 world champion surfer Fred Hemmings, began his career as an event promoter in 1969 and ran the Smirnoff World Pro-Am Surfing Championships between 1969 and 1977. Originally held at Santa Cruz, California, later events were held at various locations in Hawaii.
Due to the International Surfing Federation being unable to establish a format or sponsorship, no official amateur championships were held between 1973 and 1975, so The Smirnoff World Pro-Am became known by some as a de facto professional World Championship. Laura Lee Ching became the first woman to compete in the Hawaiian Smirnoff World Pro-Am contests in 1973.
YearMen'sWomen's
1969Corky Carroll.png" />Corky Carroll|USA