After a massive twelve months of endless SUP races and chasing ridiculously large waves around the planet, 10x paddleboard World Champion Jamie Mitchell has just taken out the “Waterman of the Year” award at the Australian Surfing Awards.

The captain of Australia’s defending-champion team for next week’s SUP World Champs in Peru, Mitchell took at the award in Sydney tonight at a flashy event to honour Australia’s rich surfing culture.

Jamie just posted this pic on Instagram with a few thoughts about winning this prestigious award:

“Very honored to win a award last at the Surfing Australia Awards night! Thanks to everyone who has helped,supported, believed , not believed etc! It’s all helped!”

There’s not a whole lot of time for JM to celebrate though, as the champ hops on a plane in the morning to fly across the world. Jamie will be leading the all-conquering Team Australia at the 2013 ISA World SUP Championship in Peru next week, and no doubt the Gold Coaster will be looking to add a Gold Medal to his ever growing trophy cabinet.

Looking sharp in that suit captain!