2026 Australian Bodyboard Titles

The Australian Bodyboard Titles hit Newcastle from August 20 to 22, bringing nearly 100 of the country's top bodyboarders and dropknee specialists to the New South Wales coast. It's the premier bodyboarding event in Australia, and this year it's expanded to three full days to make room for the sport's growth and the rising standard of riding across the board. Competition is split into Junior, Open, Masters, Kahunas and Drop Knee Open divisions, with spots filled through state qualification or wildcard invitations.

There are a few big names to watch. Lloyd Jackson (NSW) returns as the defending champion in the Open Men, and Ebony Schell (WA) is back to defend her title in the Open Women. In the Masters Men Over 35, Liam O'Toole (QLD) is one of the names to keep an eye on. Bodyboarding has long been part of Australia's big-wave legacy, with its riders credited with pioneering some of the heaviest waves on the planet, so there's plenty of history behind the scenes here.

The Victorian contingent is particularly deep this year, bringing well over a century of combined experience to the water. It's a mix of Australian champions, internationally accomplished riders and emerging local talent: Ryan and Lyndall Jucker are former South African champions, Rui Mateus arrived from Portugal with years of European and Brazilian experience, and Henry Munro made history at last year's national championships as the first Cook Islands native to compete at an Australian National Bodyboarding Championship. They're joined by Ned Johnstone, Xander Harbour, Benjamin Lee Kong and Adam Williams.

With nearly 100 riders across five divisions, the action runs from August 20 to 22 in Newcastle, New South Wales.