A new year, new location, and new challenges await more than 1,000 athletes who will descend on the state’s Mid North Coast for the 2026 NSW Surf Life Saving Country Championships, set to run from this Friday and across the weekend, January 23–25.
After two years at Warilla Barrack Point, south of Wollongong, skis and boards are strapped in and togs packed to head to South West Rocks in 2026 for three days of elite surf sports action – a competition second only in size to the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships next month.
Around 1,200 competitors from clubs outside the Newcastle-Illawarra corridor, as well as 150 officials and 2,000 spectators will roll into town as athletes from U8s through to Masters hit the sand and surf.
Your local club – a partner of the event since 2014 – is on board once again to assist Surf Life Saving NSW to deliver three days of competitive, memorable racing. In the past year, the ClubGRANTS program has contributed more than $900,000 to Surf Life Saving clubs in NSW.
Ingenia Holiday Parks has also thrown its support behind the event.
Surf Life Saving NSW Director and Chair of Surf Sports, Don van Keimpema said it was exciting to move the competition back up north again after two successful years on the South Coast.
“The previous two years at Warilla Barrack Point were fantastic and we saw the home club compete really well and represent the southern regions, alongside the many competing clubs from that area, very strongly,” he said.
“Coming back up north again to South West Rocks, we know this location can host really big events – just last year the Australian Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) Championships were held here, and everyone raves about the beach and the club.
“This event is an important showcase for our regional members to compete, there are so many friendly rivalries between clubs, but the really special thing is that it’s done in such a safe and fun way.
“Thank you to South West Rocks SLSC for hosting, I’m looking forward to a huge Championships.”
Indeed, the host club is proud to welcome competitors from all over the state to its patch, and has assembled a workforce of members to help ensure the carnival runs smoothly.
“We do have an amazing workforce, absolutely, a great group of old blokes we call the OFC – Old Fart’s Club,” Michael Hayes from South West Rocks said.
“This group always steps up to assist, it’s a great bunch of people who work tirelessly around the club to clean, make repairs and run errands.
“We also have one of Australia’s oldest surf lifesavers, my dad Tony Hayes, who still signs the workforce on and off at these sorts of events. He’s 88 years old.”
Relishing the shorter trip this year, Sawtell SLSC is among the clubs which has significantly increased its squads for the Championships – more than double the competitors who lined up at Warilla surf club last year will hit the beach in South West Rocks.
“We’ve seen a strong spike in participation across all age groups, and there’s a great buzz around the club, we’re really excited,” Sawtell Team Manager, Naomi Little said.
“Having Country Champs hosted on the Mid North Coast is huge for our competitors. Being able to compete closer to home makes a real difference, reducing travel strain on families while still delivering a high-quality championship experience.
“The depth of our team continues to grow year on year, and with increased numbers we’ve been able to field more team events than ever before. Team racing has become a real highlight for our athletes.
“At Sawtell, the focus isn’t just on results, but on development, resilience and a genuine love for the sport. We love how Country Champs really brings out the spirit and passion of surf sports.”
On the other end of the scale, Broulee Surfers SLSC on the Far South Coast is preparing for a longer drive but doesn’t anticipate the added distance having an impact on the strength of the team.
2025 was a veritable breakout year for the club, achieving a third-place finish on the overall point score. The aim is to build on that once again this time round.
“Our kids are probably most excited about competing with their friends and representing the club in the team events. It says a lot about the culture we are building around surf sports,” Broulee Head of Surf Sports, Darren Drewsen said.
“We have been getting great numbers at training. All the coaches are really looking forward to seeing how everyone goes.
“A number of our juniors have competed at the Sydney Water Series, Beach Stormers and the World Ocean Series.”
Broulee will travel with the sixth largest squad of the Championships, though some way behind Port Macquarie SLSC in numbers – 126 athletes will pull on the white, black and yellow this weekend.
On the other end of the scale, Minnie Water-Wooli SLSC – a small surf club on the North Coast between Yamba and Coffs Harbour – will have three athletes competing at the Championships, and all of them are overcome with excitement.
Lillian Lougher, who is a former regional Junior Lifesaver of the Year, an Age Manager for Nippers at her club, and is coming off representing the Northern Dolphins at the Australian Super Surf Teams League competition in Maroubra earlier this month, says she can’t wait to compete with the quarter green and purple cap on.
“It’s great to have a few athletes competing again,” she said.
“Last year it was Hudson and Knox Hearfield’s first time competing at Country Championship and they return this year as U11 and U10 competitors.
“Last year Hudson came third in his flags and fourth in his sprint and Knox came fourth in his flag and sprint, so they are pretty keen to dive into the beach event again this year.”
Lillian says representing her region makes her proud, as does being a role model to the Nippers within the club.
“It makes me proud to represent our little club, we don’t attract the interest and support of the big clubs,” she said.
“It puts Minnie Water on the map and for me, I like the core values of Surf Life Saving and what it means for our rural community.
“It’s nice to be a bit of a role model for some of the younger kids at my club. I put my best into everything I do, so I just want to show them what’s possible when you believe in yourself and how far you can go.”
Warilla grabbed a third straight Country Championships overall point score title last year, but there will be plenty of clubs chasing the title in 2026.
It’s a prospect that Ingenia Holiday Parks Executive General Manager, Tourism Matt Young is interested to watch play out.
“At Ingenia Holiday Parks, we are proud to continue our support of the SLSNSW Country Championships and champion an active, outdoor lifestyle,” he said.
“This partnership highlights our ongoing dedication to nurturing the next generation of lifesavers, providing them with the tools and opportunities to succeed.
“Together, we’re helping create a more active and informed community, equipping future lifesavers with the skills to keep our beaches safe for all.”
The 2026 NSW Surf Life Saving Country Championships will be contested on Main beach at South West Rocks SLSC from 23-25 January.
Thursday 22 January 2026