Seas The Day: Celebrating Wins & Record Breaking Participation in Women’s Surfing 

Seas The Day women’s surf festival wrapped up its third edition with record-breaking participation and a crowd of over 15.000 attendees across the two-day celebration. The event cemented its place as the world’s largest female participation surf festival — a vibrant showcase of community, connection, and the growing force of women’s surfing.

8x World Champions Stephanie Gilmore came down to support the next generation of surfers and said: “This was my first time at Seas The Day—I wasn’t here last year, but I’d seen how cool it looked online and how much it’s grown. What I love is seeing women from all walks of life getting into surfing, from age five to well into their sixties. It’s such a great community. Events like this are so important because they celebrate every kind of female surfer—whether they’re competing, running a small surf brand, or just out there having a go. The weather’s been amazing, the waves are pumping, and everyone’s ripping. Getting to watch surfers like Chelsea Hedges and Layne Beachley—it’s just such a special vibe. I’m stoked it’s all happening right here in Kingscliff.”

From rising grommets to decorated champions, surfers of all ages and abilities hit the water, showcasing the full spectrum of women’s surfing in Australia. From future stars in the Salty Girls Surf School Under 12 Mini Shredders, to elite talent in the Open Women’s Shortboard presented by Sambazon and Open Women’s Longboard presented by Coffee Supreme, the lineup reflected both depth and diversity. The Ghanda Girls Under 18 Shortboard division highlighted the next generation of talent, while the Open Women’s Para presented by Surfing Australia’s RISE initiative delivered some of the weekend’s most inspiring performances.

Some of the most exciting moments came from the Open Women’s Shortboard presented by Sambazon, where 12-year-old Leihani Zoric (Byron Bay, Broken Head) posted the highest score of the event — a near-perfect 9.93 — in a heat against 7x World Champion Layne Beachley.

Olympic Bronze Medallist Owen Wright emphasised how important events like Seas The Day are for future Olympians: “It’s incredible to see so many young girls frothing on surfing—it really shows how much the sport is growing. I’ve always been passionate about women’s surfing, having grown up with my sister Tyler and seeing her journey firsthand. Events like Seas The Day are so important because they shine a light on the pathways and possibilities in women’s sport—world titles, the Olympics, equal prize money. I’ll definitely be back next year, hopefully with my daughter by my side. I want her to grow up knowing she has every right to chase waves and world titles—and that she’ll be rewarded equally for it.”

Longboarding lovers were treated to a masterclass in style and flow, as “The Capibaras” team danced their way to victory in the Open Women’s Longboard final presented by Coffee Supreme. With classy nose rides & graceful cross steps, their performance was a highlight of the weekend.

The next generation brought serious heat in the Ghanda Girls Under 18 Shortboard, with innovative surfing on display. Byron Bay’s “Tallows Team” came out on top, leaving the crowd excited to see what’s next from these rising stars.

One of the most powerful moments of the festival came during the first ever Open Women’s Para final, presented by Surfing Australia’s RISE initiative. Team “WAVE WARRIORS” claimed the win with a moving performance that drew admiration far beyond the judging tent.

2025 Seas The Day Winner Sam Bloom said: “It’s amazing to now see para surfing included. It feels like a real recognition of the sport and the athletes, and every year the event just gets bigger and better. The para surf community is incredibly special. It’s not something any of us ever imagined being part of, but now that we are, it’s so supportive and powerful. The ocean doesn’t discriminate—no matter your age, ability, or background, you can still get out there and experience the joy and healing that surfing brings. Para surfing can be life-changing, and I truly believe it has a big future, hopefully even in the Paralympics one day.”

Off the sand, festival-goers moved between the Ruffie Wellness Hub — where yoga, breathwork, and movement workshops offered a steady flow of connection and calm — the Tracks Stage, and the Nutra Organics Stage. Across both days, panel sessions featured female leaders from the surfing industry, including shapers like Anna Constable and Avalon Starick, rising athletes like Leihani Zoric — who spoke to over 60 attendees about Indigenous art — current pros India Robinson and Sophie McCulloch, and legends like Layne Beachley. 

As the sun set on Kingscliff Beach, Seas The Day had once again delivered far more than a surf contest. It was a space where women and girls from all walks of life to feel seen, supported, and celebrated — in and out of the water. From first-time competitors to world champions, the event was a reminder of surfing’s power to connect, to uplift, and to inspire. 

7x World Champion Layne Beachley reflected on the event, saying:
“What started as a celebration of women in surfing has evolved into a powerful festival celebrating women in sport—seeing women of all ages getting their froth on, rain or shine, has been incredibly inspiring.”

Seas The Day once again made it clear that women’s surfing is not only growing — it’s a driving force.

2025 Seas The Day Winners

Salty Girls Surf School Under 12 Mini Shredders

1st – CHBC Lordettes – (Matilda Harrigan, Sage White, Hazel Ralston)
2nd – Alley Kittens – (Colomba Melus, Nylah Mathies, Lulu George)
3rd – Cabarita Boardriders – (Lucia Rochester, Nina Carroll, Cami Mellis)

Open Women’s Longboard presented by Coffee Supreme

1st – Surfcoast Salty Sea Lions – (Wendy Reyntjes, Emur Jones, Wendy Reyntjes)
2nd – The Capibaras – (Renata Porcaro, Jenna Breetzke, Tati Guedes)
3rd – Sunee Sliders – (Mahli Abbott, Freya Abbott, Luana Matthies)

Open Women’s Shortboard presented by Sambazon

1st – Three Blonde Groms – (Eliza Richardson, Gidget Kowalski, Rosie Richardson)
2nd – Alley Cats – (Kanon Takahashi, Amelia Craike, Luana Matthies)
3rd – Byron Bay – Broken Head – (Lori Kelly, Leihani Zoric, Mali Adam)

Ghanda Girls Under 18 Shortboard

1st – Byron Bay – Tallows Team – (Malia Barron, Mali Adam, Poppy Morrison)
2nd – Snapper Rocks SRC – (Samantha Arderne, Sea White, Gidget Kowalski)
3rd – Alley Cats – (Ella Craike, Karin Takahashi, Fabiana Klein)

Open Women’s Para presented by Surfing Australia ‘RISE’

1st – WAVE WARRIORS – (Annie Goldsmith, Samantha Bloom, Emma Dieters)
2nd – The Rattlerz – (Sarah Gibson, Victoria Pendergast, Amanda Drew)

For all the results, please visit LiveHeats.

About Seas The Day:

Seas The Day is the world’s largest female participation surf event that aims to encourage women of all skill levels to compete in a pressure-free environment. The festival features guest speakers, workshops, movie screenings, food trucks, live music, entertainment and more.

Seas the Day is proudly funded by the NSW government and is a sponsored event of Tweed Shire Council.

Seas the Day is also proudly sponsored by Jim Beam, BC™ Protein Snacks, Ruffie, Kennards Hire, No Pong, Sambazon, Nutra Organics, Ghanda, Coffee Supreme, Zuum Energy Gum, Black Roll, Breeze Balm, Tracks, Cudgen SLSC, Hampton Event Hire, Salty Girls Surf School, Surfers for Climate, Surfing Mums and One Wave.

For more information, please visit seasthedaysurffestival.com.