Surf Life Saving clubs from regional NSW have their boards and skis packed and have hit the road to Warilla with the 2025 NSW Country Championships ready to run from this Friday and across the weekend, January 24–26, at Warilla-Barrack Point SLSC on the state’s South Coast.
Clubs outside the Newcastle-to-Illawarra corridor will converge on Warilla Beach for the second of a two-year hosting arrangement to compete across a variety of surf sport events.
The NSW Country Championships is second only to the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships in size, with nearly 1,000 competitors, 150 officials and nearly 4,000 spectators expected across the three days of competition.
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 elite and memorable competition. Meanwhile, 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 return to the South Coast once again after a highly successful Championships last year at the same location.
“Last year Country Championships on the South Coast was a highly successful event and I can honestly say I’m excited to be back,” he said.
“This beach, the club and in particular its workforce, and a really strong competitor list – it’s a recipe for a great Championships and I know that there’s a lot of clubs coming with big dreams for the three days.
“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.
“I was excited to see Broulee Surfers surf club make a huge jump last year and it’ll be interesting to see if they’re in the mix again. Woolgoolga has been steadily improving which promises to be an interesting storyline, and no doubt the host club and Cuden Headland will battle it out at the top once again.
“Thank you to Warilla-Barrack Point SLSC for hosting, and to the Shellharbour City Council for supporting us to get this event together.”
Warilla grabbed a second straight Country Championships overall point score title last year and will be looking to make it three straight on their home beach.
It’s a prospect that Ingenia Holiday Parks Executive General Manager, Tourism Matt Young is interested to watch play out.
“It’s going to be an excellent few days, as it always is when the Championships play out,” he said.
“At Ingenia Holiday Parks, we are proud to support the SLSNSW Country Championships and promote an active, outdoor lifestyle.
“Our partnership reflects our commitment to fostering future generations of lifesavers, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to thrive.
“Together, we are building a healthier, more active community for everyone, equipping them with the skills to keep our beaches safe.”
The 2025 NSW Country Championships will be hosted at Warilla-Barrack Point on the South Coast from 24-26 January. For event information, visit the event page.
Thursday 23 January 2025