Two remarkable figures from Australia’s rich aquatic sporting heritage have been permanently honoured at Maroubra Beach, with their bronze plaques now embedded in the promenade alongside other legends of the surf.
Maxwell Raymond Metzker, the former Olympian and dedicated surf lifesaver, and Damien Hardman, the calculating competitor known as ‘The Iceman’, were inducted into the Australian Surfing Walk of Fame during a special ceremony on Sunday 20 July as part of Randwick City Council’s annual Beach Breaks event.
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Local Hero Returns Home
Photo Credit: Wikipedia / Sergey Guneev / Сергей Гунеев
For Metzker, the honour represents a homecoming of sorts. The Olympic swimmer began his journey in the waters off Maroubra Beach when he joined the local surf life saving club in the 1970s. After earning his Bronze Medallion in 1975, he devoted 16 years to protecting beachgoers, including several years as patrol captain.
His dedication to community service ran parallel to an extraordinary swimming career that took him to two Olympic Games. Metzker competed in the 400-metre and 1500-metre freestyle events at Montreal 1976, before returning to Moscow 1980 where he served as co-flagbearer for the Australian team and claimed bronze in the 1500-metre freestyle.
Between Olympic campaigns, Metzker dominated Australian surf lifesaving competitions, claiming four national titles between 1975 and 1979. His versatility shone through at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Canada, where he captured gold in both the 1500-metre freestyle and 4×200-metre freestyle relay, plus bronze in the 400-metre freestyle.
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Even after retiring from pool competition following another gold medal performance at the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games, Metzker continued representing Maroubra SLSC on the world stage. At the 1983 World Surf Life Saving Championships in Hawaii, he proved that his skills translated perfectly to ocean competition, winning gold in both the men’s open surf swim race and one-mile race.
The Calculating Champion
Photo Credit: Instagram / @oldschool80ssurfmags
Damien Hardman earned his ‘Iceman’ nickname through a methodical approach that made him one of the most formidable competitors of the 1980s and 1990s. Starting his surfing journey on Sydney’s northern beaches at age 10, Hardman’s systematic pursuit of excellence yielded remarkable results.
His breakthrough came in 1984 when he claimed both Australian and World Junior Champion titles. This launched a professional career that would see him capture ASP World Tour titles in 1987 and 1991, along with two runner-up finishes and seven consecutive years in the top 10.
The numbers tell the story of Hardman’s dominance: 19 ASP/WCT tour victories across all continents, including a still-standing record of seven tour victories in the 1988 season and nine wins in that calendar year. His achievements led to induction into the Surfing Australia Hall of Fame in 1999, where he was recognised for raising performance standards and pioneering vertical manoeuvres.
Since retiring from professional competition, Hardman has maintained his connection to surfing through business partnerships with long-term sponsor Rip Curl and community involvement, including five years as President of North Narrabeen Boardriders Club.
Prestigious Recognition
Deputy Mayor Marea Wilson, who presented the inductees with their honours, emphasised the cultural significance of both surfing and surf lifesaving to Australian identity. The ceremony highlighted how these sports reflect the nation’s coastal connection and community spirit.
The Australian Surfing Walk of Fame at Maroubra Beach was established in 2006 as the first of its kind in Australia, modelled on the World Surfing Walk of Fame in Huntington Beach, California. Each year, bronze plaques are laid into the promenade to recognise outstanding achievements by Australia’s world-class surfers and surf lifesavers.
The inductees join an elite group that includes seven-time world champion Layne Beachley, who was honoured in previous ceremonies. Recent years have seen the recognition of various legends including Peter ‘Cuz’ Kirkwood AM, Susan Wood-Moore, David Parkes, and women’s surfing pioneer Pauline Menczer.
The ceremony formed part of the Beach Breaks festival, an annual winter celebration that brings warmth and activity to Maroubra Beach during the cooler months. This year’s event showcased not just the induction ceremony but various entertainment and community activities that celebrate the beach’s cultural significance.
For both Metzker and Hardman, the recognition represents more than individual achievement – it acknowledges their contributions to Australia’s rich aquatic sporting culture and their roles in inspiring future generations of water sports enthusiasts.
Published 21-July-2025
