SURFING & WATER SPORTS

2026 World Surfing Conservation Conference

Ocean Road Magazine

// January 9, 2026

WORDS: Andrew McKinnon PHOTOGRAPHY Hero Image - Photographer Simon Beedle

The 2026 World Surfing Conservation Conference will be converging on the Gold Coast next month together with the World Club Championships and the Gold Coast Open QS.

The Conference has attracted several high-profile surfers such as 7X World Champion Layne Beachley AO, 2X World Champion & 3X Pipeline Masters Champion Tom Carroll & World Junior Champion Ziggy MacKenzie Burleigh Boardrider/COOEE High School.

Prom Peru the major Peruvian Tourism Organisation is the latest Gold Sponsor to lend support that includes TEQ (Tourism Events Qld & Experience Gold Coast, promoting their surfing destinations at the Conference.

Steve Valiere Art of Surfing Exhibition (Rydges)

500^th descendant of the Moche pre–Inca civilisation, Huevito from Huanchaco the 5^th World Surfing Reserve, Northern Peru, the home of the Caballito de Totora (Peruvian Reedboard) will construct the world’s oldest surfcraft live at the Conference.

Huevito will launch it on the final day Thursday 19th February 6.30am at Greenmount for the Paddle Out Ceremony with Triseah the Mermaid. LATAM Air has sponsored Huevito and a South American Delegation of champion surfers. Academic ocean conservation scholars addressing coastal protection policies will address a diverse range of issues including shark mitigation.

Huevito King of the Caballito ( Peruvian Reedboard)

Leading Global Surf & Ocean Conservation organisations supporting are, World Surf League, Save The Waves Coalition, Conservation International, Surfrider Foundation, Surfers for Climate, World Surfing Reserves & National Surfing Reserves, Patagonia, Shark Bite Club, Surfline Coastal Intelligence, Surfing Mums & Felipe Pomar Surf til 100 program & Reef Safe sunscreen.

Other social activities include Steven Valiere Surf Art Exhibition (Rydges), Ramon Navarro Salty Heart Movie, Belinda Baggs Surfers for Climate film, Astra Lumina CWS Tour, Andrew Kidman’s Earth Ball doco.

Felipe Pomar 82 year old Perus First World Surfing Champion still charging 20ft + waves.

GCWSR photo gallery at The Collective, Palm Beach the venue of a finale Conference Party celebrating the 10^th anniversary of Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve Thursday 19^th February, live music RED40, Peruvian dancing & charity auction Ian Byrne 6/2 channel bottom, Emily Rose pyrographic turtle & Iconic photo prints, proceeds for Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Early bird registration has been extended to 31^st January.

Holiday vacation prizes Matanivusi Fiji and Villa Santai Rote Island, Indonesia will be drawn on the Finale Party night.