The NRMA Insurance Seas The Day Women’s Surf Festival wrapped up its fourth edition with over fifteen thousand people in attendance 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.
Surfers of all ages and abilities took to the water across a diverse range of divisions, highlighting the depth, talent and inclusivity of women’s surfing in Australia. From the emerging stars of the Babybel Under 14 Mini Shredders to elite competitors in the NRMA Insurance Open Women’s Shortboard and Sodii Hydration Open Women’s Longboard, the event showcased the full spectrum of female surfing. The Ghanda Girls Under 18 Shortboard division offered a glimpse into the sport’s bright future, while the Thermos Open Women’s Para division produced some of the most inspiring moments of the weekend.
OLYMPIANS, WORLD CHAMPIONS & INDUSTRY LEADERS
Australia’s Most Decorated Olympian Emma McKeon, joined the world’s biggest female surf festival, taking part in an inspiring discussion panel with fellow olympians Owen Wright and Danielle Scott.
McKeon spoke about the life-changing impact sport has had on her journey and the importance of creating opportunities for the next generation of girls to experience those same benefits:
“I’m really excited to meet a lot of the girls, see them out in the surf and be part of such an awesome day. It’s great to support more girls getting involved in sport, and especially surfing.
I grew up around the water and absolutely loved it — it changed my life. I’ve made so many lifelong friends through the ocean, and sport has given me so much. It’s given me health, happiness, confidence and opportunities I never could have imagined.
That’s exactly what we’re trying to give the next generation here today.
Surfing Australia’s High Performance Program Director, Kate Wilcomes, said events like NRMA Insurance Seas The Day play a critical role in creating pathways and opportunities for women and girls at every stage of their surfing journey:
“Events like this are incredibly important because they create a space where girls feel safe, supported and like they truly belong. They inspire girls to surf more, get active and explore different sports, while building confidence and connections along the way.
It’s also such a great environment to meet new people. You have the opportunity to connect with different generations, world champions and others who simply share a love for surfing. That’s what makes this festival so special.”
COMPETITION RESULTS
Some of the most exciting moments of the weekend came in the NRMA Insurance Open Women’s Shortboard, where Snapper Rocks SRC, made up of Samantha Arderne, Jordy Halford and Madison Kenchington, emerged victorious after a standout performance. Overcoming strong challenges from Byron Bay Boardriders Club, Kingscliff Boardriders Club, Starberry J.A.M from Yamba, Cabarita Boardriders Club and Lennox-Ballina Boardriders, the talented trio showcased impressive teamwork and high-performance surfing to claim the title. Samantha Arderne of Snapper Rocks SRC was so stoked to get the win after narrowly missing out last year:
“It feels so good. Last year we fell just short and finished second in the Under 18s, so to come back this year and take the win in the Open Women’s is pretty special.
The conditions were a little tricky in the final, but we’re stoked we managed to find a few good ones when it counted. All the girls were absolutely ripping — it was such a stacked heat.
My favourite part of NRMA Insurance Seas The Day is having so many women down here together. It has such an amazing festival atmosphere, and everyone is lifting each other up and supporting one another. That’s what makes it so special.”
Image: Andy Morris / Surfing Australia
Longboarding lovers were treated to a masterclass in style and flow, as the Atmosea team danced their way to victory in the Sodii Hydration Open Women’s Longboard final. 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 throughout the weekend. Team Daisies and Lily’s, representing Torquay (VIC), claimed victory after a standout performance from Stevie O’Day, Lily White and Cobie O’Day, providing an exciting glimpse into the next generation of Australian women’s surfing.
One of the most powerful moments of the festival came during the Thermos Open Women’s Para final. Team For the Greater Gouda, starring Victoria Feige, Grace Kennedy and Leanne Whitehouse, claimed the victory with a remarkable performance that embodied the spirit of the event and earned admiration from competitors and spectators alike.
Two-time World Para Surfing Champion Em Dieters once again showcased her class. While she narrowly missed out on the win, Dieters produced one of the standout moments of the final, posting the highest score, an excellent 8.67-point ride. Dieters also praised the festival’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity, highlighting the importance of creating opportunities for women of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to come together through surfing:
“There is such a diverse range of people here today, and it’s important that everyone feels represented. I’m proud to represent people with a disability, particularly the women competing in this event. Visibility matters, and it’s important that people know surfing is accessible and that our community welcomes everyone with open arms.”
EDUCATIONAL & INSPIRING WORKSHOPS
Off the sand, the weekend treated festival-goers to a variety of workshops and speakers, between the Wellness Hub and the Women In Surf Hub.
In the Women of Surf Hub, crowds packed in to hear from professional surfer & content creator Alana Blanchard, one of surfing’s most recognisable and influential figures. Her session drew one of the biggest crowds of the event’s history, with attendees eager to hear firsthand from the global surfing star and connect through stories of motherhood, resilience, self-belief and embracing life on your own terms:
“This festival is so special because it brings girls together from all walks of life. It gets everyone in the water and introduces the younger generation to competition, often for the very first time, but in a fun, supportive and inclusive environment.
Everything else the festival offers is just as important for our community. Events like this create connection, confidence and opportunity, and bringing women together can only make our sport and our community stronger.”
Surfing Australia hosted surfing pioneers Pam Burridge and Gail Cooper, who spoke on the evolution of women’s surfing and the foundations they helped build, sharing stories from the early days of the sport and the progress made along the way.
The Wellness Hub hosted a steady flow of connection and calm — from breathwork to yoga, performance training to healing — reminding everyone that surfing is as much about well-being as it is about performance.
Freediving extraordinaire Bri Heaney led a grounding breathwork session, guiding participants through the power of breath, mind–body connection and reconnecting with the nervous system
CAREER PATHWAYS & OPPORTUNITIES
NRMA Insurance Seas the Day further invested in the future of surfing through the NRMA Insurance RISE Program, which delivered free judging development sessions across both Saturday and Sunday.
More than 20 women and girls participated in the program, gaining hands-on experience and education across a range of disciplines including shortboard, longboard, para surfing, and junior and open women’s divisions. The sessions provided valuable insight into the judging process while helping participants build skills, confidence and knowledge within the sport.
Designed to create meaningful pathways beyond competition, the NRMA Insurance RISE Program plays an important role in developing the next generation of surfing officials and industry leaders, while opening doors to future careers and opportunities within the sport.
NRMA Insurance 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 could 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.
Surfing Australia CEO Chris Symington said the 2026 NRMA Insurance Seas The Day showcased the strength, depth and growing impact of women’s surfing in Australia:
“To welcome more than 15,000 people across the weekend and see women and girls of all ages and abilities coming together through surfing was incredibly special. From first-time competitors to world champions, the festival showcased the strength, depth and spirit of our surfing community.
Surfing Australia extends its sincere thanks to NRMA Insurance, the NSW Government, our partners, guest speakers, volunteers and staff whose support and commitment continue to make this event possible.”
2026 NRMA Insurance Seas The Day RESULTS:
Babybel Under 14 Mini Shredders
- Alley Kittens — 12.87
- Daisies and Lily’s — 9.90
- The Quokas — 8.94
- Snapper Rocks SRC (Snapper Black) — 6.80
- Cabarita BRC 2 — 5.50
- Byron Bay – The Wreck — 4.49
Sodii Hydration Open Women’s Longboard
- Atmosea — 15.30
- Byron Bay BRC – Wategoes — 11.87
- Point Lookout BRC — 11.20
- Burleigh Longboard Club — 9.61
- Cabarita Longboard Club — 7.30
- All Girls Lennox Head — 3.07
Ghanda Girls Under 18 Shortboard
- Daisies and Lily’s — 14.81
- Aloha Angourie BRC — 12.27
- Snapper Rocks SRC (Snapper Black) — 11.50
- Alley Cats — 10.97
- MNM Boardriders — 6.37
- Alley Cats 2 — 3.50
Thermos Open Women’s Para
- For the Greater Gouda — 17.43
- Noosa World Surfing Reserve — 15.27
- WAVE WARRIORS — 14.80
NRMA Insurance Open Women’s Shortboard
- Snapper Rocks SRC (Snapper Black) — 14.00
- Byron Bay BRC — 13.67
- Kingscliff BRC 2 — 12.10
- Strawberry J.A.M Yamba — 9.97
- Cabarita BRC — 8.20
- LE-BA Opens — 7.80
For all the results, please visit LiveHeats.
About NRMA Insurance Seas The Day:
NRMA Insurance 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.
The 2026 NRMA Insurance Seas The Day Women’s Surf Festival is proudly supported by Ford Australia Babybel, Fujifilm Photos, Southern Cross University, Ampd Bros, Sodii Hydration, Ghanda Clothing, Thermos, Sambazon, Kennards Hire, BLACKROLL, Surfers For Climate
The 2026 NRMA Insurance Seas the Day Women’s Surfing Festival is a proudly supported event of NSW Government, Office of Sport NSW and Tweed Shire Council
For more information, please visit seasthedaysurffestival.com.
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