Two days ago, at the Surfer Poll Awards in Hawaii, Noa Deane and Dion Agius were a bit of a spectacle on stage. But here’s the thing – we all make mistakes – what matters is if those mistakes were made in spite. If Noa Deane really leaned over to the microphone and said “Fuck the WSL” and wholeheartedly meant it, and Dion Agius really was trying to condone the abuse of prescription drugs, they would be dicks. But they’re not. They were caught up in a moment and a might have had a drink or two. 

Surfing’s all about having fun and getting loose and saying stupid things can be a part of that, but as a role model in a public forum, they made mistakes – but what matters more than that is that they’re not afraid to admit it.

Just a few minutes ago they released these apologies on Instagram:

Noa Deane:

I would like to apologise for my actions 2 nights ago at the surfer poll awards, it was incredibly stupid, what I said was not targeted at any of the surfers on tour and they are on there because they are the best surfers in the world I truly respect them and above all I’d like to apologise to the people of Hawaii and any kids watching. I’m meant to be a role model in surfing and my actions on the night were not appropriate and that was not the time or place to voice that opinion.

My only goal was to raise the point of surfing not becoming a corporate sport like football but I can see and acknowledge how I came across and I am sorry…. I’m truly humbled to receive the AI award someone who I looked up to as a kid and loved his surfing, and can’t believe that I over shadowed the honour of with my actions later in the evening.

Apologies to any one I have offended.

Dion Agius: 

Ok, So I’ve been approached to do a few interviews regarding my actions at the Surfer Poll awards however I feel that this is the best avenue to apologise and explain myself… Firstly I want to make clear that no fucking way do i condone the misuse of prescription pills and I completely understand it is a huge problem for many people and not a laughing matter. I have suffered from anxiety in the past and have a huge fear of public speaking which has lead me to have one too many Mai Tais to help settle my nerves. I truly want to apologise for anyone that I may have offended that’s super lame.
Ps. @kellyslater is an absolute fucking boss and took the time to chat to me for 20 minutes backstage while I gushed at how much we all look up to, and respect him and what he has achieved in his career and done for the art of surfing.

So you know what? Good on you guys. You have every right to get loose and say silly things that you don’t mean – maybe just use this as a learning experience to know that sometime you’ve gotta wait until you don’t have a microphone in hand and a camera pointing at you to do it.

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