GUARDIANS OF THE COASTLINE

2026 marks a milestone year for the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve, celebrating its 10th anniversary with a series of landmark events that have further cemented its place at the forefront of global surf conservation.

Korbin Hutchings at Snapper Rocks by misterrclips aka Lachlan McKinnon

At the heart of these celebrations was the inaugural World Surfing Conservation Conference — a defining moment for the movement. Hosted at Southern Cross University, the four-day gathering brought together some of the world’s leading voices in ocean advocacy, coastal science, and surf culture. More than 100 speakers and over 500 attendees converged to share knowledge, spark conversation, and drive meaningful action.

With its proximity to Gold Coast Airport and surrounding accommodation, the university proved an ideal setting for such a significant event. The conference delivered a powerful mix of insight and urgency, revealing new data on the state of surfing ecosystems and the challenges they face.

Standout presentations from leading conservation organisations, including Save The Waves and WILDCOAST, set the tone — thoughtful, solutions-focused, and grounded in deep environmental responsibility. Topics ranged from artificial reefs and coastal protection policy to the evolution of surfing reserves, water quality management, and the long-term vision outlined in the Surfing Infrastructure Master Plan.

Environmental concerns were brought sharply into focus, particularly around water quality and the impact of pesticides and stormwater runoff — issues explored in depth by Professor Kirstin Benkendorff. Meanwhile, Surfrider Foundation and Surfers for Climate addressed the growing concerns around offshore oil and gas exploration in the Great Australian Bight, resonating strongly with younger generations, including sustainability students following the discussion.

There was also a strong human thread woven throughout the program. World champions Layne Beachley and Tom Carroll shared personal reflections on surfing with greater awareness and inclusivity, while the First Nations “Caring for Sea Country” presentation offered a powerful and culturally rich perspective on ocean stewardship.

Beyond the speaker sessions, the conference unfolded as an immersive cultural experience — from surf art exhibitions, including Steve Valiere’s Barefoot in Paradise, to eco film screenings and a memorable evening at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s Astra Lumina. The finale event saw $5,000 raised for the Sanctuary’s dog detection program, supporting vital conservation efforts for koalas and bristlebirds.

Momentum continued immediately after the conference, with a five-day East Coast Activation Tour. A group of 22 delegates travelled from the Gold Coast to Bondi, visiting key National Surf Reserves along the way. Carrying 30 surfboards — including a traditional Peruvian Caballito de Totora — the journey embodied the tour’s theme: connection to community, culture, and conservation.

This spirit of collaboration and storytelling lives on in a short feature film documenting the tour, set to screen on 11 July at Tom Atkin Hall in Tugun as part of the Save The Waves Film Festival, with the ECAT documentary also officially selected for its 2026 international festival program.

Together, these events reflect a movement gaining strength — one that recognises surfing not just as a sport, but as a powerful vehicle for environmental awareness, cultural connection, and lasting change that continues to inspire a growing surfing conservation movement.