2023 Young Gun Winner: 16-Year-Old Aussie Charger Ned Hart Earns the Honors

The Young Gun is a fresh category in the Big Wave Challenge proceedings, concocted to acknowledge the up-and-coming threats shaking things up in the heavy-water crew. 

The 2023 recipient was Ned Hart of Dunsmore, Western Australia, who grew up dining on the thick-lipped offerings of his home surfing region. With the kind of ultra-frothy enthusiasm that lights up any room or lineup, Ned’s impressed all the big-wave veterans with his attitude and talent.

His rights to claim the Young Gun trophy were sealed with his stunning wave, featuring an air drop and deep barrel at Shipstern Bluff, Tasmania, ridden when he was just 16 years of age. 

Video: Tim Bonython