The “cherry on the cake” came unexpectedly on Saturday night when he received the ASB Greater Good honour at the Surfing Australia Awards at the Newcastle Exhibition and Convention Centre.

The Newcastle man, who lost his lower legs to a heavy machinery accident 17 years ago, shared the stage with the likes of women’s world champion Tyler Wright in being recognised for his effort in raising $7000, and plenty of awareness, for adaptive surfing.

“It was awesome,” Wheatley said on Sunday after taking part in an adaptive surfing expression session at Newcastle Beach.

“It was hard to fathom at first. The nerves got a hold of me, standing on stage accepting the award looking at the hall of famers, all these guys I’ve idolised for 35 years. I was definitely starstruck looking out there but it was incredible.”

Wheatley said the Walk for Waves was “just the start. There’s more to come and we plan on making it bigger and better each year. 

“It’s all aimed at developing adaptive surfing.”

Also on Saturday night, surf photographer Peter Crawford was inducted into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame.

Crawford, who became the 39th inductee, passed away in Bali in 1999 from the apparent effects of a spider bite. He is survived by his sons Scott and Justin.

Crawford’s induction was one of a number of presentations as part of the 2017 Australian Surfing Awards.

Wright and WSL standout competitor Matt Wilkinson won the Female and Male Surfer of the Year awards, while young Queenslander Ethan Ewing won the Rising Star Award. Newcastle’s Sabre Norris was a finalist for the rising star gong.

The Simon Anderson Club Award went to Burleigh Heads Boardriders who released their 50th anniversary book "Long Bongs and Burleigh Barrels".