Aussie Surfer Holly Wawn On The Unwritten Code Of Her Surf Crew

This summer, Jim Beam and Aussie surfer Holly Wawn are teaming up to tap into the pulse of Australian surf culture—from glassy dawn sessions to icy cold ones at day’s end, they’re here to celebrate the unspoken bond that keeps surfers paddling out together, again and again.

A fearless charger with an edge as sharp as her turns, Holly’s been carving through the lineup since before she could tie her own shoelaces. She grew up threading the peaks of Sydney’s Northern Beaches, trading school days for surf comps and eventually, swapping the city grind for the slower rhythms of Byron’s hinterland. 

The Power Of Community

Despite carving out a name for herself on the global stage, Holly’s never been one to drift too far from her roots. Community is everything in surfing, and she’s always understood the importance of giving back to the spaces that shaped her.

Mona Vale Boardriders is where Holly's story starts but it was the birth of Bungan Boardriders that truly cemented her love for surf culture.

“My friends at my local beach started Bungan Boardriders, and it’s been huge for our beach and a lot of locals,” she says.

“There’s a really welcoming energy in our club—anyone is welcome!"

Holly’s the kind of surfer who never lost sight of what made her fall in love with it all in the first place. She understands that the best surf crews aren’t built on ego or accolades—they’re built on energy, on having each other’s backs, on knowing that sometimes the best waves aren’t the ones you ride, but the ones you watch your mates get.

Finding Her Edge

Holly’s introduction to surfing wasn’t a choice—it was inevitable. Growing up on Sydney's Bungan Beach with a surf-stoked dad and a cousin who lived for the waves, she was thrown into the deep end from the age of three. 

“It was quite a fresh space for women,” she says, recalling the lineup of her youth.

“I was completely surrounded by boys where I grew up. They couldn’t have been more supportive, but also driven. It made me tough and helped me improve in a way I wouldn’t change.”

That baptism of fire fueled her, shaping her into the powerhouse surfer she is today, known for her explosive style and signature spray—a visual cue of power and precision. But beyond the raw talent, there was always something more—a drive to push herself, to charge harder, to carve her own space in a lineup that wasn’t always built for her.

The leap from grom to professional surfer wasn’t a calculated move—it just happened. The moment Holly started travelling to represent Australia at world junior events, sponsors started knocking.

From there, she’s chased down some of the world’s heaviest waves, charging into conditions that would make the average surfer think twice about paddling out. Jeffreys Bay, in South Africa, stands out as one of her most memorable sessions.

“I think I caught my best wave at J-Bay,” she remembers.

“It must’ve lasted more than a minute, and I didn’t do one turn. Smooth speed as far as I could go. I came in and talked about how far down I went for the next six hours until I fell asleep and dreamt some more.”

Post-Surf Rituals And Local Haunts

For Holly, a surf session isn’t complete until you’ve had the post-surf debrief—the unofficial, unspoken ritual that’s as essential as waxing your board. Whether it’s in the carpark dissecting the morning’s best (and worst) waves or sinking a cold one at the pub after a day chasing swell, the moments after the surf are just as important as the ones in it.

“Carpark hang, good chirp and a cold beverage to cap it off,” she says.

Simple. Essential. The blueprint for any solid day in the water.

When she’s in Sydney, you’ll catch her winding down at some of the city’s best watering holes. The Shakespeare Hotel, The Cricketers Arms, The Old Fitz—they’re all part of the rotation, the kind of spots where sandy feet are welcome and the stories flow as easily as the beers.

This summer, Jim Beam is celebrating what makes Aussie summers unforgettable—golden hour, great waves and sundowners with friends—in partnership with Surfing Australia. Check out more of Jim Beam events and summer happenings here.

Editor's note: This article is sponsored by Jim Beam and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.

Image credit: Holly Wawn Instagram