Surfing America presented MaryLou Drummy with the 2015 Midget Smith Judging Award at ISA World Jr. Championship
MaryLou Drummy is presented with the 2015 Surfing America Midget Smith Judging Award by ISA World Jr. Championship contest director Erik Krammer on Oct. 18, before the podium presentation of the gold medal to team USA. Photo: Surfing America/Jack McDaniel
By Andrea Swayne
MaryLou Drummy of San Clemente, a former professional surfer, judge and the executive director of the Western Surfing Association, was honored with the 2015 Surfing America Midget Smith Judging Award on the final day of the International Surfing Association World Junior Championship, on Oct. 18 in Oceanside.
At the podium—before the awards presentation began and team USA was presented with their gold medals—Contest Director Erik Krammer introduced the award as an honor bestowed every few years by Surfing America—the national governing body for surfing in the United States—to a judge who has gone above and beyond to help improve competitive surfing.
“[MaryLou Drummy] has pushed the level and created new boundaries for women’s surfing and women judges across the planet …”—Erik Krammer
He called Drummy to the stage addressing her as someone who, like Smith, has led a life dedicated to the sport of surfing.
ISA World Junior Surfing Championship Contest Director Erik Krammer and 2015 Surfing America Midget Smith Judging Award recipient MaryLou Drummy pose for a photo after the award presentation, on the ISA World Juniors podium, Oct. 18, in Oceanside. Photo: Surfing America/Jack McDaniel
“She has pushed the level and created new boundaries for women’s surfing and women judges across the planet,” Krammer said. “She has over 35 years of judging experience at all levels from events such as the WSA, ASP North America, the OP Pro, ECSC and the ISA Games in Japan in 1990. In the ’80s and ’90s, she was one of the only female judges on these panels, further opening the door for women within surfing events and since then has done everything possible to dedicate her life to competitive surfing in the United States.”
The career of the award’s namesake, the late surfer, shaper and judge, Jeffrey “Midget” Smith, extended more than 20 years as head judge for many major events, ASP and ISA included. Pushing the boundaries of judging criteria in the ’80s and ’90s, his work has contributed greatly to the sport. He was also Drummy’s life partner of more than 20 years.
“I am so grateful to have been recognized with this award,” Drummy said. “To be chosen for this award in Midget’s name was such an honor and to be presented with it on the podium at the ISA World Juniors with the USA team winning gold was the icing on the cake.”
Past awardees include Jack Shipley, Craig Hoshide, Kurt Page, Chip Hall, Mike Martin and Cliff Schlabach.