40 Years After His Mother, Surfing Son Makes Her Proud With the Same Achievement

The surfing sport received its long-due accreditation in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 as the latest sport to be titled with the honor of being an Olympic sport. That worked in spawning the regularity of the sport. Moreover, many surfing legends gained the glory of donning the ‘Olympian’ badge of honor in front of their names. However, for a 25-year-old Australian surfer, the chance of getting into that list is pretty much around the corner now. 

Keeping the impending Olympics surfing event as the mainstay, the budding spearhead is keeping no stone unturned in preparation. Stoking the flame of his surfing love, he earned something that aligned him with his late mother’s achievement in the same sport and venue, whilst upholding her enduring legacy. 

 Ewing replicates his mother’s surfing feat

In the 2023 season, Ethan Ewing had his most memorable stint at Rip Curl Pro in his home country’s Bells Beach. He had also memories of a losing WSL endeavor in 2022 when he had to be satisfied with the saddening 4th position. However, this time, Ewing made no mistake as he grabbed the WSL title at Bells Beach this year. Meanwhile, the level of astonishment reached a new peak as news of an exceptional feat spread. The WSL’s Instagram handle deemed this accomplishment as one of the best in 2023. The caption of the post evaluated the attainment as “@ethan_ewing got to ring his first bell exactly 40 years after his mother Helen did in 1983”. 

Reportedly, Ethan Ewing’s mother, Helen Lambert, earned the same title in 1983 in the women’s event to strengthen her stake in the surfing world. The then 18-year-old surfer later went on to add many titles to her collection of souvenirs. But all she missed was to witness her son’s coming into glory in the same contest. Helen died of breast cancer in 2005. But that six-year-old Ewing decided to go with the same stride on that very day. Rest, as they say, is history. 

The undying champion energy

In the round of 16, Ewing had to overcome Brazilian surfing victor ludorum, Gabriel Medina. And then, a phenom Mathew McGillivray, and a juggernaut, Filipe Toledo didn’t stand a chance to nullify Ewing. But buzzing those challenges off, a relieved son of a legendary mother uttered, “It was definitely the biggest win of my career to date,”. 

Read more: Surfing Icon Kelly Slater Gets Emotional as He Opens a Box of Memories on His Father’s Birthday

But the most motivational reply came when Ewing revealed, “I’ve been thinking about her since I have been on the tour and it’s been a huge goal of mine. I want to do her proud”. The WSL title run shot Ewing’s name on the same honorary board where his mother’s name is present. Moreover, his ranking improved to the 4th position. Now these multiple achievements might help him in French Polynesia next year. 

Watch this story: “Watch My Dad Die From Cancer”: How A Surfing Legend Turned A Sad Fact Into A Profitable Investment