Ritchie was one of the big winners at the South Coast Boardriders awards evening at the club on Saturday.
She was named the club’s top female surfer and the impressive Alexis Owen claimed the top male award.
Owen shone for New Zealand at the world junior championships in El Salvador this month.
He finished fourth in the under-16 division and also had a tremendous domestic season.
He finished third at the national champs in the under-18 grade and second in the under-16 grade.
Ritchie also strung together a series of rewarding results.
She was second at the national championships in the under-14 grade and won the South Island championships in the same grade.
She is the No 1-ranked under-14 female surfer in New Zealand.
Her prize for being named South Coast Boardriders top female surfer is a rather special piece of surfing memorabilia.
The back story is neat.
Fairburn grabbed the opportunity to buy a signed replica board of the one the Australian great used to win her eighth world championship title.
"I was stoked to have the board.
"However, I thought there’s got to be a better use for it than just sitting in my home.
He spoke to South Coast Boardriders and decided to donate it to the club.
It is now the trophy for the women’s surfer of the year award and Ritchie is the new winner.
"Hopefully, having your name on that board provides great inspiration for the up and coming women’s surfers," Fairburn said.
"Stephanie is a legend in our sport and all surfers look up to her."
The club hosted the national championships and the South Island championships this season, and will host the scholastics in October when Ritchie and Owen are expected to shine.
