The Champions
Beginning in 2016, Ruben Aira Jr. hand-carved original championship trophies presented at some of Hawaii’s most recognized surf competitions. This evolving archive reconnects the artist, the artworks, the champions — and the photographers who captured the moments.
An Archive in Progress
We are bringing together the visual history of Ruben’s championship trophies through the original artworks, event archives, the surfers themselves, and the photographers who were there.
Where a champion photograph has not yet been identified or cleared for use, Ruben’s original trophy is shown in its place. As photographs are found and permissions are received, this archive will continue to grow.
More Than Trophies
Before they entered the hands of champions, these were original works of art.
Across the years, Ruben’s trophy designs changed dramatically — from carved surfboard forms to sculptural waves and freestanding works inspired by movement, place and the ocean. Each was created for a particular competition and a particular moment.
Most left Ruben’s studio almost as soon as they were completed.
They were made to be won.
This is an archive in progress.
We continue identifying photographs, correcting names, and discovering new stories.
The Works — and the Surfers Who Earned Them
A trophy leaves the artist’s hands with one part of its story still unwritten: it has to be earned.
Year by year, these are the champions and finalists who carried Ruben’s work out of the competition arena and into surf history.
Vans Triple Crown - Champion
Virtual ceremony • 2020
Watch the moment
The original trophy
Champion photograph being sourced
Virtual ceremony • 2020
Watch the moment
The original trophy
Champion photograph being sourced
This is an archive in progress.
We continue identifying photographs, correcting names, and discovering new stories.
Hawaiian Pro — Haleʻiwa
The original trophy
Champion photograph being sourced
The original trophy
Champion photograph being sourced
The original trophy
Champion photograph being sourced
This is an archive in progress.
We continue identifying photographs, correcting names, and discovering new stories.
Haleʻiwa Challenger
HAW
The original trophy
Champion photograph being sourced
AUS
The original trophy
Champion photograph being sourced
JPN
The original trophy
Champion photograph being sourced
BRA
The original trophy
Champion photograph being sourced
HAW
HAW
The original trophy
Champion photograph being sourced
HAW
The original trophy
Champion photograph being sourced
AUS
The original trophy
Champion photograph being sourced
HAW
The original trophy
Champion photograph being sourced
JPN
The original trophy
Champion photograph being sourced
BRA
The original trophy
Champion photograph being sourced
AUS
The original trophy
Champion photograph being sourced
AUS
The original trophy
Champion photograph being sourced
HAW
The original trophy
Champion photograph being sourced
POR
The original trophy
Champion photograph being sourced
HAW
The original trophy
Champion photograph being sourced
This is an archive in progress.
We continue identifying photographs, correcting names, and discovering new stories.
Were You There?
Did you photograph one of these championship moments?
We are rebuilding the visual history of Ruben Aira Jr.’s hand-carved surf trophies and searching for photographs of the champions receiving, holding or celebrating with the original works.
If you captured one of these moments, we would love to see it.
Photographs included in the archive will be used only with permission, with full photographer credit and, whenever possible, a link to the photographer’s portfolio or profile.
What Comes Next
These trophies were earned by people who live by the same standard as the artist who made them: originality, risk, and the willingness to be measured by what they actually do. Surfers, divers, and others who spend their lives in the ocean are already in that creative field. Reminding them of what they have already achieved is not flattery. It is how the next thing becomes possible.
These trophies tell one chapter of Ruben’s relationship with surf culture. The archive is also opening a much larger conversation: how can the next generation discover, understand and begin living with original art of their own?
That conversation is only beginning.
Ruben Aira Jr. Art • Honolulu, Hawaii
An evolving archive of original surf championship trophies.
A NEW CHAPTER IN SURF LEGACY
Honoring the people behind the moments.
The ocean was his canvas, and life was the shot!
“One of Hank’s personal surfboards is now being transformed by Ruben Aira Jr. into a one-of-a-kind tribute artwork, created in honor of Hank and in support of Fender.”
