Welcome to the Wrightsville Beach Waterman Hall of Fame
History of the Wrightsville Beach Waterman Hall of Fame
The Wrightsville Beach Waterman Hall of Fame begun in 2014 and is intended to be a lasting tribute for the achievements of generations of local residents that have shaped this community and its relationship with the water. The Cape Fear Area Beaches were established because of their beauty and the lure of the ocean and marshes as a place to fish, sail, swim and enjoy time on the water. The values exhibited by the best of those who have made this their home based on that relationship with the water are to be embodied in the Hall of Fame.
The Wrightsville Beach Waterman Hall of Fame awards are selected by the Waterman Hall of Fame Board comprised of members of the community & participants who represent a cross-section of those who have been a part of the local watersports community throughout the decades. There will be an emphasis on performance, direct contributiuon to our community and the scope of generations for Hall of Fame selectees.
Waterman Nominations, Categories & Criteria
Wrightsville Beach Waterman Hall of Fame nominations are open for rotating categories every odd year for a 90 day period. Open categories & deadlines will be announced in the Spring of each year of induction (ie: 2025, 2027, 2029, 2031, 2033, etc.)
The Hall of Fame selection process:
- Every other year 5 of 9 categories are announced to be open.
- There will be a 90 day window for nominations to be submitted.
- Deadlines will be announced & posted.
- There are 9 categories outlined below (select only one).
- There are 5 selection criteria (you may select multiples)
- up to 5 selected nominees are inducted from all of the open categories.
- Watch here for the link to the nomination form.
The categories are:
- Beach Culture
- Boating
- Fishing
- Ocean Rescue
- Paddlesports
- Sailing/Windsports
- Surfing
- Swimming/Diving
- Ohana- Family or Group
The inductees should adhere to and/or reflect at least one of the following selection criteria:
- Pioneer - Based on achieved fame as respected watermen/women or pioneers in the time before major championships; candidates must have reached the age of fifty years old or are deceased.
- Champions - Must have held National Championship and/or National Class event titles.
- Cultural Contributor - Must have helped elevate the beach culture in their local community by enhancing the lives of the individuals and the community through their good works.
- Local Hero - Resided for at least 10 years in the Cape Fear Region and were noted for their competitive success or were instrumental in the creation or continuation of watersports in the region.
- Special Recognition - The Special Recognition was created to honor those individuals who have contributed to waterman activities and its culture and can demonstrate roots in the Cape Fear Region.
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