Excitement swells for Byron Bay Surf Festival

EXCITEMENT is building as the Byron Bay Surf Festival (BBSF) returns for its 14th year on August 15-18, celebrating surf culture, environmental sustainability, and community spirit.

The 2024 theme of ‘Rewildering’ focuses on reconnecting with nature and promoting environmental stewardship.

The event will host Australian and international surfers and other guests, including environmental experts and artists, participating in various events focusing on sustainability, education, and innovation.

All surf events will be scheduled at Clarkes Beach at the end of Byron’s iconic right-hand point break.

The festival, which dates back to 2010, is a celebration of core and creative surf culture.

It holds the prestigious title of Australia’s first carbon-neutral surf event and was declared a waste-free Deep Blue Event in 2023.

These achievements are a testament to the festival’s commitment to environmental sustainability and community spirit.

Festival founder James McMillan’s words at that time, “BBSF has always been about cultivating and maintaining a healthy, creative and inclusive surf culture, whilst protecting the environment,” resonate with the festival’s history and future aspirations.

Local and international competitors over all divisions will feature the Wategos Wizards events on Saturday and Freestyle & Stoke sessions on Sunday.

The second-ever SurfAid Women’s Cup takes place on August 16, with the female surfing event supporting SurfAid’s mission to improve the health, well-being, and self-reliance of people living in isolated regions.

The McTavish Trim was a feature at the Byron Bay Surf Festival and returns on August 18 for the first time since 2018 as part of the Freestyle & Stoke event.

The longboarder event features nine of the best female and nine of the best male surfers worldwide.

A series of vibrant events, such as workshops and public talks by experts on ocean conservation, sustainable living, and surf culture, wraps around the surfing schedule.

Art installations, live music, and film screenings celebrate the intersection of art, surfing and surf culture.

The highly anticipated Tracks Party, hosted by Tracks Magazine, will feature a bill of contemporary

artists, a film screening, and street markets at the Beach Hotel on August 16.

Organisers will announce the concert lineup details soon. More info at www.byronbaysurffestival.com.au