Known for making some of the gnarliest looking barrels at the The Right, Shipsterns Bluff, and The Box, Ned's only 16 years old and is quickly paving a way and name for himself in surfing's big wave world. At this weekends 2022/23 Big Wave Challenge Awards Ceremony he was awarded as the 'Young Gun of the Year', due not only to his passion for chasing these monstrous swells around the world, but for skillfully riding them once they roll over shallow reefs & sands.
"Really honoured to take out Young Gun 2023 at last nights New Big Wave Challenge Awards in Nazare." Ned wrote later that night on his Instagram page. "To be part of such an epic family and community as the future of Big wave surfing unfolds. Really stoked."
Ned has been a key part of improving and building gear at VEIA Supplies through his passion for big wave surfing and we are stoked to have him as a VEIA ambassador. Congratulations to Ned and everyone else who won an award/played a part in the Big Wave Challenge!
2022/23 Big Wave Challenge Results
Surfer Of The Year
Nathan Florence (Hawaii)
Justine Dupont (France)
Ride Of The Year
Nathan Florence at Mullaghmore Head, Ireland. Video by João Tudella
Justine Dupont at Cortes Bank. Video by Johnny Decesare & Tucker Wooding
Paddle
Chacha Ibarra at Punta Lobos, Chile. Video by Oscar Fredes Rodrigues & Rodrigo Farias.
Laura Enever at Outer Reef Oahu. Video by Ian Grose, photo by Daniel Russo.
Wipeout Of The Year
Danny Griffiths at Shipstern Bluff. Video by Talon Clemow
Young Gun
Ned Hart (Australia)
Videographer Of The Year
Tim Bonython (Australia)
Contributions To The Sport
Big Wave Tour founder Gary Linden
Nazaré Mayor Walter Chicharro