Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve is hosting the World Surfing Conservation Conference at Gold Coast Campus Southern Cross University, Qld Australia on 16th – 19th February 2026.
The inaugural WSCC 2026 is a four-day Conference presenting an extensive program of world class experts in the field of ocean conservation, surfing tourism, coastal engineers, and wellness themes, including a final day’s panel discussion from well-known surfing NGO’s dedicated to finding sustainable solutions for coastal protection policies and how best to preserve our surfing ecosystems.
Addressing ocean conservation issues, concerns, and impact on its surfing ecosystems, including themes on water quality, climate change, coastal protection, marine biodiversity, shark mitigation, surf industry, innovation, gender, Indigenous culture, para surfing, and health &well-being, and delivering on sustainable solutions.
The WSCC Conference has invited leading groups such as Save The Waves & their Surf Protected Network, including delegates from World Surfing Reserves, National Surfing Reserves, Conservation International, Surfrider Foundation, Surfers for Climate, Prom Peru, Academic Research Scholars, Higher Education, schools, and boardrider clubs.
LATAM Air has assisted a South American Delegation Team, including four of Peru’s top junior boys & girls champions, to participate as part of LATAM’s surfing tourism strategy. The surf squad will unveil their new OLAS Peru green carbon-free initiative program to combat climate change. Other members of the high-profile delegation include Magoo de la Rosa, a former ’90s professional surfer, now curator of Peru’s first surfing museum, and the King of the Caballito de Totora “Peruvian Reedboard,” Carlos Ucanan “Huevito” Arzola. Following up from the 2016Aus/Peru WSR Tour, Huevito will construct a Peruvian Reedboard at the Conference as a live activation and then launch the “Horse” at Greenmount with a Paddle out Ceremony.
The Caballito predates the Incas, is over 3,000 years old, and one of the oldest wavecraft in the world, arguably the oldest. Huevito is a 500th descendant of the Moche civilisation from Huanchaco, Northern Peru, the 6th World Surfing Reserve. There are 14 WSRs globally.
Other activities include Steven Valiere’s Surf Art Exhibition, Emily Rose pyrographic wood turtle creation, Andrew Kidman’s Earth Ball plastic photo exhibition & movie, Guilio Pompei Surf Cartoon Art, Surfers for Climate Belinda Baggs doco & GCWSR photo exhibition.
Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve is the 8th WSR, celebrating its 10th anniversary (2016 – 2026) with a big finale party at The Collective Palm Beach, Thursday night, 19th February. Entertainment will be provided with Peruvian Dancing Marinera style and live music A special fundraiser event will auction off a 6/6 channel bottom, double flyer swallow tail hand-shaped by Burleigh legend Ian Byrne (House of Byrne), the younger brother of the late AB is up for grabs, including an Emily Rose pyrographic wooden Turtle and other select photographic portraits. All proceeds will be donated to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Conservation Program. Lucky conference ticket holders can win a 7-week holiday for two at the Matanivusi Eco Resort, Fiji, and a one-week stay for one at Villa Santai, Rote, Indonesia drawn at the Finale Party.
Keynote Speakers & NGO Leaders
Nik Strong — CEO, Save The Waves
Will Henry — Founder, Save The Waves
Mara Arroyo — STW Mexico
João Macedo — Portugal Conservation Surf Legend
David Revell — US Coastal Climate Scientist
Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew — World Surfing Champion & GCWSR Patron
Science, Conservation & Policy Experts
Scott Atkinson & Marissa Miller — Conservation International
Dr Ana Manero — University of Western Australia
Dr Rebecca Olive — University of Queensland
Dr Carolina Butrich — Peru & Ecuador Surf Break Protection
Ricardo Santa Cruz — Xala Foundation
Austin Heimark — Surfline Coastal Protection
Shane Orchard — NZ Coastal Protection
Tom Wilson — Wave Changer
Damien Cole & Drew McPherson — Surfrider Foundation Australia
Steph Curley — Chair, Surfrider Foundation Australia
Donna Liver — NSR Port Macquarie
Rod Brooks — Bells Beach Surfing Reserve
Craig Baird — Torquay Surf Museum
Academic & Research Contributors
Danny O’Brien — Bond University
Kirstin Benkendorf — Southern Cross University
Kizzy Beaumont — New Plymouth, UK
Tiago Falcão — Griffith University
Prof Dan Murphy — Murdoch University (Plastic Pollution Innovation)
Dr Mauricio D. dos Santos & Dr Carolina Adutra
Dr Yousuf Mohammed (UG) & Dr Rocky Chowdhury (Toxicology)
James Lewis — Gold Coast Coastal Engineer
Surfers, Legends & Shapers
Cliff Kapono — Hawaii
Felipe Pomar — Surf ’til 100
Carlos Antonio Ferrer — Huanchaco WSR
Carlos Ucanan “Huevito” Arzola — King of the Caballito de Totora
Magoo de la Rosa — Peruvian Surf Museum
Roberto Meza — Peruvian Coach
Richard Harvey — Surfboard Craftsman
Nick Carroll — Surf Author & Writer
Belinda Baggs — Longboard Legend, Surfers for Climate
Robyn Harvey — Para Adaptive Surfing
Tom Wegener — Shaper & Noosa Councillor
Amanda Scott — Wooden Surfboards
Troy Bottegal — WA Artificial Reef Innovator
Innovation, Sustainability & Mental Health
Kal Glanzig & Cooper Chapman — Mental Health Advocates
Sam Elsom — Climate Solutions Innovator; 2025 Australian of the Year
Larissa Rose — GG Enviro
Andrew McKinnon — GCWSR Chair & WSCC Organiser
Youth & Community Voices
Jarrah “JJ” — Teenage Conservationist
Ngathuia Trewartha — Fishery Bay Surf Reserve (Grounding Meditation Sessions)
Artists & Cultural Contributors
Giulio Pompei — Surf Cartoonist
Steven Valiere — Surf Artist
Emily Rose — Pyrographic Wood Artist
Andrew Kidman — Photographer & Filmmaker (Earth Ball)
Special delegations & cultural activations
LATAM-supported South American Delegation:
LATAM is assisting a team including four of Peru’s top junior boy and girl champions as part of its surfing tourism strategy. The squad will unveil OLAS Peru, a green carbon-free initiative to combat climate change.
Additional delegates include Magoo de la Rosa (curator, Peru’s first surf museum) and Carlos Ucanan “Huevito” Arzola, King of the Caballito de Totora (Peruvian reed board).Live heritage activation:
Huevito will construct a Peruvian Reedboard on site, followed by a launch and paddle-out at Greenmount. The Caballito predates the Incas (over 3,000 years old) and is among the world’s oldest wavecraft. Huevito is a 500th-generation descendant of the Moche civilisation from Huanchaco, Northern Peru—the 6th World Surfing Reserve (of 14 WSRs worldwide).
Exhibitions & arts program
Steven Valiere — Surf Art Exhibition
Emily Rose — Pyrographic wood turtle creation
Andrew Kidman — Earth Ball plastic photo exhibition & film
Giulio Pompei — Surf cartoon art
Belinda Baggs / Surfers for Climate — Documentary
GCWSR Photo Exhibition
GCWSR 10-Year Anniversary charity auction & prizes
At the Finale Party (Thu 19 Feb, The Collective, Palm Beach):
Auction items include a 6’6” channel-bottom, double-flyer swallow tail by Ian Byrne (House of Byrne), an Emily Rose pyrographic wooden Turtle, and select photographic portraits.
All proceeds support the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Conservation Program.
Ticket-holder prizes include a 7-week holiday for two at Matanivusi Eco Resort, Fiji, and a 1-week stay for one at Villa Santai, Rote, Indonesia.
Alignment with major Gold Coast surf events
The weekend prior, Rabbit, Theo & Snapper Surfriders Club will host the World Club Championship (formerly Usher Cup) at Snapper Rocks:
Fri 13 – Sun 15 Feb 2026 — 32 of the world’s best boardrider clubs
Wed 18 – Sun 22 Feb 2026 — WSL QS 4,000 Gold Coast Open (Men & Women) at Burleigh Point
“Three world events over 10 days at the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve is epic,” said WSCC Chair & GCWSR President Andrew “AndyMac” McKinnon.
Venue, accommodation & registration
Venue: Southern Cross University, Gold Coast Campus
Dates: 16–19 February 2026
Accommodation for registered delegates: Rydges Gold Coast Airport (bed & breakfast rate, 12–21 February 2026)
Booking link: https://www.rydges.com/private-page/world-surfing-conservation-conference-2026/Conference info & tickets: Early-bird registration now open — wscc2026.com.au
Call for abstracts: Extended to Friday, 31 October
Partners & supporters
WSCC 2026 is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland’s Business Events Program (TEQ), City of Gold Coast Divisions 14 & 13, Experience Gold Coast, Southern Cross University, LATAM, PROM PERU, EMRO, Brazilian Style Imports, Kollosche, Troy Dowker, Matanivusi Resort (Fiji), Villa Santai (Rote, Indonesia), GG Enviro, Surf Mud, Surfing Queensland, Tracks, Locale, Odyssey, Surfline, PLB Magazine, Ocean Road, Vissla & OCC Apparel, The Collective, Rydges Hotel, Steven Valiere Surf Art, Veganicskn, Andrew Kidman Earth Ball, and the WSCC 2026 Team.
Media opportunities
Opening ceremony & media conference: Mon 16 Feb — 8:00am Welcome to Country; 10:00am press conference at SCU
Live cultural activation: Peruvian Reedboard construction and paddle-out at Greenmount (schedule TBA)
Exhibitions & screenings: Throughout the conference at SCU and partner venues
Finale Party access: Thu 19 Feb (The Collective, Palm Beach)
Media & conference contacts
WSCC 2026 Chair & Organiser
Andrew McKinnon — andrew@andymac.net.au
Professional Conference Organiser (PCO)
Daniel Long — daniel@wscc2026.com.au
Website & registration: wscc2026.com.au
About the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve
The Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve is the 8th World Surfing Reserve (est. 2016). In 2026, GCWSR celebrates its 10-year anniversary, honouring the Gold Coast’s globally significant surfing breaks and leading stewardship of surfing culture, coastal environments and community well-being.