BUSINESS
Registration is open for 2026 WSCC – 7th October 2025
WORDS: Andrew McKinnon PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied
Early Bird registration is now available to purchase tickets to attend the 2026 World Surfing Conservation Conference via the website www.wscc2026.com.au
Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve Inc. is hosting the World Surfing Conservation Conference at Gold Coast Campus, Southern Cross University, 16th – 19th February 2026.
The inaugural WSCC 2026 is a four-day Conference presenting an extensive program of world class experts in the field of ocean conservation, surfing tourism, coastal engineers, and wellness themes, including a final day’s panel discussion from well-known surfing NGO’s dedicated to finding sustainable solutions for coastal protection policies and how best to preserve our surfing ecosystems.
Addressing ocean conservation issues, concerns, and impact on its surfing ecosystems, including themes on water quality, climate change, coastal protection, marine biodiversity, shark mitigation, surf industry, innovation, gender, Indigenous culture, para surfing, and health &well-being, and delivering on sustainable solutions.
Stephanie Gilmore with Earh Ball and Andrew Kidmans 8/6 Skip Frye Fish Simmons board photo by Andrew Kidman.
The WSCC Conference has invited leading groups such as Save The Waves & their Surf Protected Network, including delegates from World Surfing Reserves, National Surfing Reserves, Conservation International, Surfrider Foundation, Surfers for Climate, Prom Peru, Academic Research Scholars, Higher Education, schools, and boardrider clubs.
LATAM Air has assisted a South American Delegation Team, including four of Peru’s top junior boys & girls champions, to participate as part of LATAM’s surfing tourism strategy.
The surf squad will unveil their new OLAS Peru green carbon-free initiative program to combat climate change.
Other members of the high-profile delegation include Magoo de la Rosa, a former ’90s professional surfer, now curator of Peru’s first surfing museum, and the King of the Caballito de Totora “Peruvian Reedboard,” Carlos Ucanan “Huevito” Arzola.
Steve Valiere Surf Art Exhibition will be on display at WSCC 2026 photo supplied.
Following up from the 2016Aus/Peru WSR Tour, Huevito will construct a Peruvian Reedboard at the Conference as a live activation and then launch the “Horse” at Greenmount with a Paddle out Ceremony.
The Caballito predates the Incas, is over 3,000 years old, and one of the oldest wavecraft in the world, arguably the oldest.
Huevito is a 500th descendant of the Moche civilisation from Huanchaco, Northern Peru, the 6th World Surfing Reserve. There are 14 WSRs globally.
Other activities include Steven Valiere’s Surf Art Exhibition, Emily Rose pyrographic wood turtle creation, Andrew Kidman’s Earth Ball plastic photo exhibition & movie, Guilio Pompei Surf Cartoon Art, Surfers for Climate Belinda Baggs doco & GCWSR photo exhibition.
Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve is the 8th WSR, celebrating its 10th anniversary (2016 – 2026) with a big finale party at The Collective Palm Beach, Thursday night, 19th February.
Marinera Peruvian Traditional Dancing photo by Tarpuy
Entertainment will be provided with Peruvian Dancing Marinera style and live music A special fundraiser event will auction off a 6/6 channel bottom, double flyer swallow tail hand-shaped by Burleigh legend Ian Byrne (House of Byrne), the younger brother of the late AB is up for grabs, including an Emily Rose pyrographic wooden Turtle and other select photographic portraits.
All proceeds will be donated to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Conservation Program. Lucky conference ticket holders can win a 7-week holiday for two at the Matanivusi Eco Resort, Fiji, and a one-week stay for one at Villa Santai, Rote, Indonesia drawn at the Finale Party.
Key speakers confirmed are Nik Strong ( CEO of STW), Mara Arroyo ( STW Mexico), Hawaii’s Cliff Kapono, Richard Harvey Legendary surfboard craftsman, Nick Carroll well known author & writer, Steph Curley Chair Australia Surfrider Foundation, Scott Atkinson & Marissa Miller Conservation International, Laura Zumba WSR Costa Rica, Danny O’Brien Bond Uni, Kirstin Benkendorf SCU, Dr Ana Manero WA Uni, Chris Homer Shellharbour Mayor, Kal Glanzig & Cooper Chapman (mental health), Felipe Pomar (Surf til 100),Carlos Antonio Ferrer Huanchaco WSR, Carlos Ucanan Arzola King of Caballito de Totora, Roberto Meza Peruvian Legend Coach, Magoo de la Rosa Peruvian Surf Museum, Robyn Harvey Para Adaptivesurfing, Guilio Pompei (Surf cartoonist), Belinda Baggs Longboard legend &Surfers for Climate, Dave Pearcon shark survivor( Bite Club), PHD students, Kizzy Beaumont New Plymouth UK, & Griffith Uni Tiago Falcao, Troy Bottegal(WA Artificial Reef), Ricardo Santa Cruz Xala Foundation, Hannah Bennett Fiji, Austin Heimark Surfline Coastal Protection, Dr. Rebecca Olive UQ, Dr. Carolina Butrich Peruvian & Ecuador surf breaks protection, Rod Brooks Pioneer Bells Beach Surf Reserve, Craig Baird Torquay Surf Museum, Will Henry Founder of Save The Waves, Joao Macedo Portugal Conservation Surf Legend, David Revell US Coastal Climate Scientist, Larissa Rose GG Enviro, Andrew McKinnon GCWSR, Jarrah “JJ” Teenage conservationist, Donna Liver NSR Port McQuarie, Shane Orchard NZ Global coastal protection, Tom Wilson Wave Changer, Amanda Scott Wooden Surfboards, Tasmanian Sam Elsom climate solutions innovator & 2025 Australian of the year, Dr Mauricio D dos Santos & Dr Carolina Adutra, Professor Dan Murphy Murdoch Uni plastic pollution innovation, GC Coastal Engineer James Lewis, Dr Tom Wegenershaper/Noosa Councillor, Diego Sancho Gallegos STW, Dr Yousuf Mohammed (UG) & Dr Rocky Chowdhury (Toxicology),Damien Cole & Drew McPherson Australia Surfrider Foundation.
WSCC 2026 Poster
No. 1 patron of Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve & World Surfing Champion Legend Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew will open the Conference following a Welcome to Country ceremony on Monday, 16th February at 8 am. A media press conference will be held 10 am at GC SCU campus. Each morning Ngathuia Trewartha from Fishery Bay Surf Reserve, South Australia has offered a daily grounding meditation session, inviting focus, calm, and connection to purpose.
The final day, Thursday 19th February, will be dedicated to panel group discussions, finishing off with the City of Gold Coast’s latest Infrastructure Strategy SIM (Surfing Infrastructure Masterplan) encompassing artificial reef technology, wave pool innovations & beach surf coastal protection enhancement, plus the Council’s latest Recreational Water Quality Management Plan strategy. Check out wscc2026.com.au website for Rydges Hotel accommodation bed & breakfast rate.
The weekend prior, Rabbit, Theo & Snapper Surfriders club will host the World Club Championship, formerly Usher Cup, from Friday13th, Saturday 14th February to Sunday 15th February Finals at Snapper Rocks, with 32 of the World’s best boardriders clubs plus SQ will host the WSL QS4,000 Gold Coast Open men’s & women’s from Wednesday 18 – Sunday 22 February at Burleigh Point.
Cartoon Poster Artwork by Guilio Pompei
“Three World events held over 10 days, in the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve is epic,” said WSCC Chair organiser & President GCWSR Inc Andrew “AndyMac” McKinnon.
The 2026 World Surfing Conservation Conference is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland’s Business Events Program (TEQ), City of Gold Coast Divisions 14 & 13, Experience Gold Coast, Southern Cross University, LATAM, PROM PERU, EMRO, Brazilian Style Imports, Kollosche, Troy Dowker, Matanivusi Resort, Fiji, Villa Santai, Rote, Indonesia, GG Enviro, Surf Mud, Surfing Queensland, Tracks, Locale, Odyssey, Surfline, PLB mag, Ocean Road, Vissla & OCC Apparel, The Collective, Rydge Hotel, Steven Valiere Surf Art, Veganicskn, Andrew Kidman Earth Ball & WSCC2026 Team. Abstracts have been extended until Friday, 31st October.
For further info, Contact Andrew McKinnon Chair Organiser WSCC 2026 email [email protected]
PCO Professional Conference Organiser Daniel Long email [email protected]
