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June 27, 2026
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Thousands take in women’s surf festival

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LEBA Ladybirds on the podium at the Seas The Day festival: Leihani Kaloha Zoric (L), Rubi Muir and Mia Baker (R). Photo Surfing Australia/ Hannah Jessup

The LEBA Ladybirds have won the U/18s Shortboard division of the inaugural Seas The Day women’s surf festival held at Kingscliff Beach last weekend.

The Snapper Rocks Surfriders Club also had a good weekend winning both the Open Women’s Shortboard and the Salty Girls U/12 Mini Shredders division.

LEBA Ladybirds scored the best wave in Open Women’s Shortboard but it wasn’t enough to overcome Snapper Rocks SRC.

More than 200 women and young girls got into the water for the festival, billed as the world’s biggest female participation surf event.

Competitors were surfing for a share of $50,000 in cash and giveaways.

About 12,000 people attended the festival, according to organisers who are planning to run the event annually.

‘Imagine this being your first experience of women’s surf competitions. It has been so special. It wasn’t like this for all of us who surfed growing up,’ said Beth Nevill, whose five-year-old daughter, Ailish, was among those competing.

‘It was a very different culture and it’s so nice to have this. All these boys and families coming down to support the girls. It’s just amazing. That’s what blows me away.’

The weekend also included a free program of inspiring talks, film screenings and workshops.

‘There’s so much energy. It’s epic. All the girls are really pumped. I was paddling out with a woman who has never surfed a contest. This was her first event and she was so excited,’ former world champion Layne Beachley said.

Results

Open Women’s Shortboard: Snapper Rocks SRC 1 (12.17), LEBA Ladybirds (9.77),  Kingscliff BRC 2 (8.07)and Kingscliff BRC 1 (6.60).

Open Women’s Longboard: Noosa Malibu Club (13.67), Salty Girls Surf (9.20), Girls Boardriders Fraternity (7.93) and Coastal Abode Lady Loggers (5.63).

U18 Women’s Shortboard: LEBA Ladybirds (13.40), Alley Kittens (13.07), Snapper Rocks SRC 2 (7.00) and. Snapper Rocks SRC 1 (6.06).

Salty Girls U12 Mini Shredders: Snapper Rocks SRC 1 (12.74), Coastal Abode Shredders (10.93), Salty Girls Mini Shredders (7.61) and. Byron Bay BRC – Coral Seas (7.60).

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