The New Zealand surfing community is mourning the sudden death of renowned surfer Troy Hirst, who passed away in Indonesia last week.
According to Stuff, Hirst was one of New Zealand’s most accomplished surfers, winning the New Zealand Open Men’s Surfing Championship in 1993 at just 17 years old. Two years earlier, he had secured third place at the World School Boy Championships in Bali, a place that would later become central to his life and career.
Reflecting on his connection to Indonesia, Hirst once said, “Indonesia then took over my surfing life. Contests faded, and more time was spent here in Indonesia, where I now call home with my beautiful family,” as quoted by Stuff.
Beyond competition, Hirst built a respected career in the surf industry. According to his LinkedIn profile, he spent 18 years in surfboard building and manufacturing, working with major New Zealand brands including Razor, Morris and Primal Surfboards.
Tributes have poured in from across New Zealand and the international surfing community following news of his death, as reported by Stuff.
One tribute described the depth of the loss, saying: “The shorelines are empty, the tears are flowing, and an entire community is grieving a beautiful light that was extinguished entirely too soon,” Stuff has quoted.
The Māori Bay Board Riders Club remembered Hirst as a founding member and one of Muriwai’s most influential surfers.
“Troy left an indelible mark on Māori Bay and the Muriwai community as well as surfing in NZ and abroad. He influenced many of the up-and-coming groms at the Bay back in the day who looked up to him as he pushed the bar constantly and pushed them to become better surfers,” the club said, as quoted by Stuff.
The club highlighted his extraordinary achievements, noting: “From his success through the ranks as a junior surfer to the pinnacle of winning the Open Men’s National Title at 17 years old in 1993 (a feat that was only broken in 2005), Troy was a massively talented surfer that carved out a legendary status in heavy barreling waves of consequence particularly at his spiritual home of Lakey Peak and was someone who was never afraid to hit the lip hard or pull in to giant caverns,” Stuff has quoted.
While celebrating his surfing accomplishments, the club said Hirst’s greatest legacy was his devotion to family and friends.
“Troy, you will be forever missed but never forgotten.”
Former Kiwi Surf Magazine founder Al Ashworth, who had known Hirst since childhood, described him as one of New Zealand’s standout surfers of the early 1990s.
“His surfing spoke for itself, getting the deepest barrels, pulling the hardest on rail turns, smashing the lip with the most power, a totally reliable surfer to get that shot you wanted for the mags...I will always treasure my shots of Troy and my memories, which I hold dear to my heart. I watched him grow into an amazing human, and I will miss him dearly,” as quoted by Stuff.
Friends and fellow surfers also paid tribute to Hirst’s character.
One said he was a “good bloke, good all-round person and epic surfer. Was blessed to call him a mate. Rest easy, mate,” Stuff has quoted.
Another tribute remembered him for the impact he had on those around him: “Troy was known for his infectious smile, kind heart, and his ability to bring joy to those around him. His unique personality and positive spirit touched many lives, making his loss deeply felt. Though he is no longer with us, his memory will live on through the stories, laughs, and love he shared with everyone,” as quoted by Stuff.
Hirst leaves behind a lasting legacy in New Zealand surfing and will be remembered by many as a champion in the water and a beloved friend, husband, father, brother and son.
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