Shearer earns gong for ongoing effort

Dongara surfer Bob Shearer has become the latest Geraldton Board Riders member to claim the esteemed Ian “Sam” Salmond Rising Star award.

Bob, 16, received the award at a ceremony to crown the club’s 2019 champions earlier this month.

Held at the Geraldton Hotel, the presentations followed the club’s grand final event, held at Flat Rocks Beach.

Bob, who placed third in the under-16s division and was overall runner-up club champion of the season, said he was surprised and honoured to be dubbed the 2019 rising star.

“I had no clue that I was going to win this,” he said.

“I’ve dreamt of winning this award since I first heard about it. My day finally came, so I’m pretty stoked.”

Bob, who has been surfing since age “seven or eight”, said he had many role models at Geraldton Board Riders.

“I look up to everyone, really. It’s a good club to be with because everyone is so supportive,” he said.

Salmond was a Geraldton Board Riders stalwart who was instrumental in fostering surfing talent until his untimely death in 2016.

Club president Nic Chadbourne said recipients earned the Rising Star award by showing “great progression and potential” throughout the year.

“It’s not about the person who wins the most comps,” he said.