Surfing Events

This year we are excited to bring you a 3 day surf event featuring some of the worlds best surfers! We will have something for everyone and a schedule that includes the inaugural SurfAid Womens Cup, the Wategos Wizards presented by Sunseeker Byron Bay, which features divisions like the Blokes and Mermaids logger, the Old Mal and of course the stars of tomorrow in the Junior U18 boys and girls. Lastly on Sunday the Freestyle & Stoke Surf Sessions presented by Varuna Byron Bay will see the return of the coveted McTavish Trim, the Dr Bronners party wave, The Maurice Cole “Icons of Surf” heat as well as the popular teams challenge. The Byron Bay Mal Club will also be heavily involved this year by hosting a Friday welcome BBQ before the SurfAid event get underway. Then on Sunday, they will host the first ever board swap, giving people the chance to surf each others boards and try something different.


Friday 16th August

Event: Inaugural SurfAid Womens Cup

Time: 12:30pm – 4pm (Byron Mal Club welcome BBQ and free surf from 8am)

Location: Wategos Beach or Clarkes Beach (at the end of The Pass) *pending conditions

What to expect: Teams of 4 will compete in a surf tag format battling it out for the first-ever SurfAid Womens Cup. The event isn’t about winning, but more about raising awareness for the amazing things SurfAid do for our surfing community on a global level. If you’re interested in putting together a team head to https://surfaid.org/byron2024 OR simply head down to the beach and check out these amazing ladies do their thing.

Presentations: Will take place at the Beach Hotel, Byron Bay from about 5pm.


Saturday 17th August

Event: Wategos Wizards presented by Sunseeker Byron Bay

Time: 7am – 4pm

Location: Wategos Beach or Clarkes Beach (at the end of The Pass) *pending conditions

What to expect: The annual Wategos Wizards has become a very prestigious event over the years which has seen some of the worlds best surfers venture to the sandy shores of Byron Bay. The day comprises of 5 professional amatuer events including:

  • Blokes Logger (appx 32 male surfers by invitation only)
  • Mermaids Logger (appx 24 female surfers by invitation only)
  • The Old Mal (surfers ride boards made pre-1968)
  • Junior U18 Boys
  • Junior U18 Girls

Presentations: Will be held on Sunday after the Freestyle & Stoke sessions.

Registrations: To register for these events please head to our registrations page by clicking the button below.


Sunday 18th August:

Event: The Freestyle & Stoke Surf Sessions are presented by Varuna Surf.

Time: 7am – 3pm

Location: Wategos Beach or Clarkes Beach (at the end of The Pass) *pending conditions

What to expect: This year we see the return of the McTavish Trim event. The Trim has been missing from the Festival since 2018. The Trim showcases 9 of the best men and 9 of the best women longboard surfers in Australia – household names like Josie Prendergast, Elise Trigger, Jared Mell, Josh Williams and Matt Chojnacki. In addition to the McTavish Trim, legendary shaper Maurice Cole will host an “Icons of Surf” heat featuring some legends of the sport including local shredder Danny Wills, Neal Purchase Jnr, Brad Gerlach, Pauline Menczer, Rusty Miller, Bob McTavish and the big bear himself. We will also see the return of the Team Challenge, as well as the always enjoyable, all-inclusive, Dr Bronners Party Wave. The winner of the Party Wave will receive a $500 cash – winner takes all prize!

Presentations: Will take place after the Freestyle & Stoke Sessions at the beach, wherever we may be that afternoon.

Registrations: Those wanting to enter the Party Wave or team challenge are encouraged to do so through our entry portal by clicking the button below. Please note that the McTavish Trim and Icons of Surf divisions are by invitation only.


BBSF Highlight Reel

Check out some of the highlights from the Byron Bay Surf Festival in recent years.