State's best surfers to wax up

ENTRIES will open very soon for what is shaping to be the most highly anticipated West Coast Wax Up (WCWU) in its history.

The third edition of the community surf event will feature more than 50 of the state’s top longboard surfers in a single fin format.

More than $3,000 worth of prize money will be up for grabs, making it perhaps the most sought-after trophy in local surfing.

WCWU event director Glenn Barry said excitement was palpable for the event, with entries likely to sell out in some divisions in less than 10 minutes.

Local world tour competitor Bea Conroy in action in the 2025 West Coast Wax Up. Photo: KATEY SHEARER

“Everything is pretty well locked in and ready to go which is very exciting. It’s taken a long time to get to this spot.

“The buzz and the hype continue to lift the more we go live with things. The addition of more prize money has no doubt helped to elevate that!

“It’ll elevate our local surfers and give them the opportunity to push themselves and their fellow competitors.

“The event will definitely pull the best local talent and pull those surfers out of the woodwork who don’t surf in regular competitions.”

Following the surfing action will be the biggest afterparty in the event’s history at the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club.

Melbourne rockers Floodlights will be the headliners, while support acts include Surf Hat (Canada), Bones and Jones, Savage Honey, Oh! Daisy and live DJs.

Mitch McDonald finished second in this year’s event and will be hoping for a strong showing in 2026. Photo: KATEY SHEARER

If we were to take it to the next level, we thought the afterparty would be the place to take a step up,” Barry added.

“Our amazing support from our sponsors has allowed us to sign some incredible acts to play, including Floodlights which is ginormous. It’ll be the biggest show the Torquay SLSC has ever seen.

“We are confident it’ll be the biggest afterparty in the history of longboarding… it’ll be mental.”

The West Coast Wax Up will be held on February 7 at Point Impossible Beach.

A premiere of local film Force Majeure will take place at Barwon Heads Town Hall the night before the event (February 6).

Surfing entries open at 7pm this Sunday, December 7.

For more information, head to @westcoastwaxup on Instagram.