Dane Henry delivered the performance of his career on the final day of the 2025 ISA World Surfing Games in El Salvador, winning men’s gold and leading Australia to the team title. The 19-year-old became the first surfer since Tom Curren in 1982 to capture the ISA World Surfing Games crown while still holding the junior world championship.
Henry dominated the La Bocana peaks with an explosive mix of aerials and carving turns, posting an 18.17 heat total in the final. His two standout rides—an 8.67 rotation and a 9.50 on a long right—sealed his victory on Sunday (14 September) afternoon. Fellow Australian Morgan Cibilic took bronze, while Olympic champion Kauli Vaast of France earned silver.
“I’m super proud of my team,” Vaast said following the competition. “Team France was amazing this year. [Our motto] was ‘never give up’, and no one did until the end. I was stoked to represent France this year, and next year we will win!”
In addition to Henry’s and Cibilic’s medals, Australia received a further boost from Sally Fitzgibbons, who took bronze in the women’s competition, as the team won their sixth gold medal at the World Surfing Games—Australia’s first in 14 years. The win follows their 2024 junior team triumph, also held in El Salvador.