A Week of Elite Para and Adaptive Surfing to hit Byron Bay

Australia’s leading adaptive surfers will gather in Byron Bay for a landmark week of elite competition, inclusion and global sporting inspiration across Australia’s premier adaptive surfing events: the BrightSky Australian Pro Adaptive Surfing Championships Presented by Forward Ability Support and the Buildcare Australian Para Surfing Titles Presented by Siblingscare, with the Buildcare Australian Para Surfing Titles Presented by Siblingscare running as a division of, and in collaboration with, the BrightSky Australian Pro Adaptive Surfing Championships Presented by Forward Ability Support.

Held at Byron Bay, one of the country’s most iconic coastlines, the events are set to deliver an eight-day celebration of world-class competition, community engagement and inclusive ocean access.

This comes after the Australian National Surfing Team, The Irukandjis, brought home Team Copper at the 2025 ISA World Para Surfing Championships, finishing with eight individual medals in total. Delivered under Surfing Australia’s national competition framework, these events form a key component of the official selection pathway for athletes aiming to qualify for The Irukandjis ahead of the 2026 ISA World Para Surfing Championships. As momentum builds toward the 2026 ISA World Para Surfing Championships and the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games, the event is playing an increasingly important role in shaping the national conversation around adaptive sport pathways, high-performance opportunity, and the future inclusion of surfing on the elite sport world stage.

Among the athletes returning to the event are six-time World Adaptive Surfing Champion and Byron local Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart, Paralympic cyclist turned world-record big wave surfer Matt Formston, four-time World Para Surfing Champion, best-selling author and motivational speaker Sam Bloom, two-time World Surfing Champion Joel Taylor, and seven-time World Champion Jocelyn Neumueller.

Six-time World Adaptive Surfing Champion and Byron local Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart is the visionary behind the event, working tirelessly to turn his dream into reality.

Stewart will be joined by one of the sport’s most exciting next-generation talents, Kai Colless — the event’s youngest competitor and a powerful symbol of the future of adaptive surfing. As part of a new wave of para-athletes redefining the sport, Kai represents the strength, skill and determination of the next generation rising through the ranks on the international stage.

Another standout competitor in this year’s competition is 4X World Para Surfing Champion, best-selling author, and motivational speaker, Sam Bloom. Well-known for her major motion Biopic ‘Penguin Bloom’, Sam’s is an inspirational figure in adaptive sport. 

Sam Bloom said:

“Adaptive surfing is about freedom and possibility, which I discovered first-hand after sustaining a spinal cord injury. One of the best parts is the support and camaraderie among the adaptive surfers, who have all had to overcome insurmountable challenges to reconnect with the ocean and fall in love with surfing in a completely different way. Seeing people reconnect with the ocean after life-changing injuries is incredibly powerful, and Byron is such a special place to bring that community together.”

A FLEXIBLE ATHLETE-FIRST COMPETITION FORMAT

Running from 22–29 March, the Championships are designed to prioritise athlete safety, fairness and performance by allowing organisers to chase the best possible surf conditions.

The event operates under a mobile beach format, with permits allowing competition to run from The Wreck through to Thomos Rock, with event infrastructure set up and packed down daily. An allocated lay day within the schedule provides further flexibility around swell and weather conditions.
 

EVENT BROADCAST

From 25–29 March, the BrightSky Australian Pro Adaptive Surfing Championships Presented by Forward Ability Support will be broadcast via daily live webcasts, delivering real-time access to elite adaptive surfing for audiences across Australia and around the world.

COME AND TRY DAYS

Royal Rehab Group will host Come and Try Days proudly supported by Macquarie Sports, an on site activation offering an exciting opportunity for new participants with physical disabilities to experience the joy of surfing and gain inspiration to compete in the future.

With experienced teams in the water, individuals can feel safe, supported and encouraged to give it a go. Whether it’s your very first wave or you’re returning to build skills and confidence, there’s a place for you here.

While working to grow the presence of adaptive surfing competitions, the BrightSky Australian Pro Adaptive Surfing Championships Presented by Forward Ability Support also aim to inspire more individuals with physical disabilities to experience surfing for the first time.

The Come and Try Days will run from 10:00am to 2:00pm, 23–27 March, and are free for anyone with a physical disability.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

22 March: Parade of Nations from 3pm, where international competitors march through Byron Bay, followed by a Welcome to Country led by Bundjalung representatives and the Official Opening Ceremony featuring speeches and the ‘Pouring of the Sands’ ritual.

23 – 24 March: The Buildcare Australian Para Surfing Championships Presented by Siblingscare, crowning twelve Australian Para Surfing Champions.

23 – 27 March: Royal Rehab Group Come and Try Days supported by Macquarie Sports: an exciting opportunity for new participants with physical disabilities to experience the joy of surfing.

25 – 29 March: The BrightSky Australian Pro Adaptive Surfing Championships Presented by Forward Ability Support commence, with finals on March 29, concluding with the Official Presentation Night at Byron Bay Services Club.

EVENT OVERVIEW

The Buildcare Australian Para Surfing Titles 2026, presented by Siblings Care, will take place from 22–24 March in Byron Bay, officially crowning Australia’s 2026 national champions. Delivered under Surfing Australia’s national competition framework, the Titles form a key component of the official selection pathway for athletes aiming to qualify for The Irukandjis ahead of the 2026 ISA World Para Surfing Championships. The Australian Para Surfing Titles sit within the broader BrightSky Australian Pro Adaptive Surf Championships, presented by Forward Ability Support — aligning national championship competition with international-level adaptive surfing and expanded community programming. The week continues with the BrightSky Australian Pro Adaptive Surf Championships, presented by Forward Ability Support (25–29 March), featuring elite international competition and live webcast coverage.

The 2026 Buildcare Australian Para Surfing Titles presented by Siblings Care, is proudly supported by Buildcare, Siblings Care, Fujifilm Photos, Thermos, Jim Beam, Australian Pro Adaptive Surfing Championships and Surfers For Climate.

For more information visit: https://surfingaustralia.com/parasurf/ and https://www.adaptivesurfproaustralia.com/