Seas The Day 2025 returns to Kingscliff Beach
Seas The Day women's surf festival is back for its third year running. Credit: Andy Morris / Surfing Australia
Surfing Australia is excited to announce the return of Seas The Day for its third and biggest year running. The world’s largest female participation surf event will take place on June 21st and 22nd at Kingscliff Beach in northern NSW.
In 2024, Seas The Day attracted a record crowd of more than 12,000 people, with free activities, inspirational talks, and workshops hosted by leading women in the surfing industry. Additionally, nearly 300 women and young girls took to the waves to compete in a fun tag team contest.
Surfing Australia CEO, Chris Mater, said:
"It is an honour to witness and celebrate Seas The Day, the world's largest female surf festival. With nearly 300 competitors and 15,000 enthusiastic spectators, this event not only showcases remarkable talent but also unites the surfing community in an extraordinary way.
The workshops and inspirational talks led by some of the most influential figures in surfing are truly transformative, empowering all who attend. This festival is a testament to the strength, resilience, and passion of women surfers everywhere.
I extend my deepest gratitude to everyone involved in making this incredible weekend possible. Together, we continue to inspire and uplift one another, and I can't wait to see it grow in 2025."
The two-day event on the Tweed Coast will offer spectators plenty of entertainment, including live music, yoga, ice baths, breathwork, food trucks, and more.
This year, the festival will feature three dedicated hubs with guest speakers covering:
- Women of Surf – featuring influential women from across the surfing industry
- World Champions & Female Olympians – spotlighting elite athletes from various sports
- Wellness Workshops – focusing on health and well-being
Seven-time World Champion Layne Beachley will also return to host her popular Awake Academy.
13-year-old Gidget Kowalski from Bilinga, QLD, won Open Women’s Shortboard with the ‘Alley Cats’ in 2024.
“In my heat, I was up against Layne Beachley and Tru Starling. It was amazing to surf alongside my heroes and such amazing surfers and it's just really fun to hang out with heaps of other girls. Events like this are really good for surfing and encourage everyone to have a go. Surfing in a team takes away the pressure and is so much fun."
A competitor in the U12 Mini Shredders division at Seas The Day. Credit: Andy Morris / Surfing Australia
The festival aims to empower women from all walks of life and experiences. New additions to the 2025 lineup include Surviving Summer Netflix star and professional surfer Lilliana Bowery, rising stars Leihani Zoric and Australian Junior Surfer of the Year Milla Brown, as well as current World Championship Tour and Olympic athletes.
Surfing Australia has women in leadership roles across the organisation, many of whom will participate in the hub panel discussions, encouraging more females to pursue careers in the surfing industry. Speakers include former CT athlete Kate Wilcomes and 2005 World Champion and Australian Surfing Hall of Fame inductee Chelsea Hedges.
Returning to the festival in 2025, the Celebrity Surf Challenge will see world champions, media personalities, and Olympians from various sports come together for some friendly competition. The event will feature a mix of junior champions, elite athletes, and influential women across different sports, all supporting the movement of women in sport. It’s set to be a highlight of the weekend, bringing extra energy and excitement to Seas The Day.
Seas The Day is proudly funded by the NSW Government, actively supporting female participation in surfing and will be supported by a $100,000 grant.
Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns said:
“Supporting large scale events in regional NSW is beneficial for everyone. By providing funding, we can engage local organisations and businesses, in turn lifting the NSW economy.”
“I’m sure that people will come from far and wide to join locals in a fun, festive day that will put the smiles on the face of every competitor, spectator and winner.”
“It’s exciting to witness the rapid rise of women’s sport, particularly in the surfing community which has a special place in my heart, and I look forward to seeing the next generation catch their break at Seas the Day.”
Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison said:
“I encourage everyone who is able to attend, to show your support and cheer on the talented women and girls as they showcase their skill and determination to win.”
“This government is committed to supporting opportunities for women that align with the NSW Women’s Strategy 2023-2026.”
“This uplifting surfing event is an exciting way to encourage any women or girl, regardless of background or age to make some waves and participate.”
Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper said:
“Our government is deeply invested in ensuring that we attract big events to every corner of NSW.
“Over the last few years, we have seen a remarkable groundswell of support for fantastic women’s sporting events such as Seas the Day.”
“This momentum is empowering, and with legends like Layne Beachley leading the way, it is becoming ever easier for the next generation of women and girls to get involved.”
About Seas The Day:
Seas The Day is is the world’s largest female participation surf event that aims aims to encourage women of all skill levels to compete in a pressure-free environment. The festival features guest speakers, workshops, movie screenings, food trucks, live music, entertainment and more.
The contest is open to female surfers in the following divisions: Open Women’s Shortboard presented by Sambazon, Open Women’s Longboard presented by Coffee Supreme, Ghanda Girls Under 18 Shortboard and Salty Girls Surf School Under 12 Mini Shredders divisions. The competition is a tag team format with three surfers in a team.
Seas the Day is proudly funded by the NSW Government and is a sponsored event of Tweed Shire Council.
Seas the Day is also proudly sponsored by Jim Beam, BC™ Protein Snacks, Ruffie Rustic Foods, No Pong Natural Deodorant, Sambazon, Ghanda, Coffee Supreme, Zuum Energy Gum, Blackroll, Tracks, Cudgen SLSC, Hampton Event Hire, Salty Girls Surf School, Surfers for Climate and One Wave.
For more information, please visit seasthedaysurffestival.com
1990 World Champion Pam Burridge performing an effortless headstand in the inclusive and fun tag-team competition! Credits: Tyler Boyce / Surfing Australia