The thrill of surf sports
A pivotal part of Surf Life Saving is Surf Sports. A true showcase of power, resilience and skill.
Surf Life Saving North Queensland organises a variety of surf sports events and carnivals that highlight the incredible strength and dedication of our athletes. From Youth to Masters, we have a wide range of events that would excite any spectator!
Another key focus for us is our athlete development, we want to see our athletes shine on state, national and international stages so we really take pride on getting the best out of our athletes to see them achieve the best they can.
2026 upcoming events
| DATE | CARNIVAL | LOCATION |
| 12-13 Sept | Cairns SLSC Carnival | Palm Cove |
| 10-11 Oct | NQSLS Branch Championships | Ellis Beach |
STAY UP TO DATE
Become a Surf Sports Coach
Coaches play a crucial role in developing, inspiring and leading athletes to achieve their goals in surf sport competition by providing support and guidance to athletes across a wide-range of surf sport disciplines and levels of competition.
SLSA’s tiered coaching pathway centres around a contemporary, flexible, interactive and purpose-built coach accreditation framework designed to support coaches across a wide range of coaching environments and surf sport disciplines. The current SLSA Surf Sport Coaching Framework is built upon the Australian Sport Commission’s Coaching Framework Toolkit for National Sporting Organisations and is outlined below.
All Coaching accreditations are valid for four (4) years, reaccreditation is required by the end of the fourth year.
Surf Sport Foundation Coaching Workshop – Ellis Beach
Dates: 7–8 March 2026
Location: Ellis Beach SLSC
Minimum Age: 16+
Overview
The Foundation Coach accreditation is the entry-level coaching course for parents and new members beginning their journey in junior surf sport.
This workshop supports coaches working with Nippers (U8–U13) and focuses on building the knowledge and confidence to deliver safe, engaging sessions across swim, board and beach disciplines using a game-sense approach.
This course forms part of Surf Life Saving Australia’s nationally recognised coaching pathway.
Workshop Structure
1. Online Theory (Completed Prior)
Participants must complete required SLSA eLearning modules before attending the workshop.
2. Practical Workshop (7–8 March)
• Coaching principles revision
• Practical skill progressions (swim, board, beach)
• Safe session setup and risk management
• Coaching communication and feedback
• Guided hands-on coaching practice
Additional practical hours and assessment will be scheduled following the workshop.
3. Practical Assessment
Final face-to-face coaching assessment (1–3 hours).
Course Fee & Enrolment
• Course fee: $70 (inc. GST)
• Enrol via the SLSA Members Area
• Payment must be made before online modules are unlocked
• Please discuss payment arrangements with your club
Prerequisites
Participants must:
✔️ Be a current SLSQ member
✔️ Hold a valid Blue Card
✔️ Complete required Child Safe & conduct training
✔️ Complete Surf Risk Rating module
✔️ Be 16 years or older
Who Should Apply?
• Parents of nippers
• New club members
• Members interested in junior coaching
• Emerging coaches starting the SLSA pathway
Register Your Interest
Complete the EOI form below:
🔗 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/aQ9zVrjJxx
For further information, contact:
📧 [email protected]
Become a Surf Sports Official
Every surf sports competition needs a dedicated and well-trained team of officials. Much like in any sport, the role of a surf sports official is to act as an impartial and balanced judge across all competition and fulfil obligations with accuracy, consistency, objectivity and high sense of integrity.
As we continue to grow surf sports in our region, we need dedicated volunteers to step up as officials to ensure the success of our carnivals. Officiating is a fantastic way to stay involved, support our athletes, and contribute to the sport we all love.
By becoming an accredited official, you will:
✅ Gain valuable knowledge about surf sports
✅ Play a crucial role in delivering fair and safe competitions
✅ Support the development of our athletes
✅ Enjoy a rewarding experience within the surf lifesaving community
No prior experience is required – training and mentoring are provided! If you are passionate about surf sports, we welcome you to get involved.
For more information on how to get started, please visit the link below or contact NQ Branch
Officials via email [email protected]
NQ Branch Championship Carnival @ Port Douglas
The final beach and ocean carnival of 2025. This event offers competitors the opportunity to refine their skills in events that challenge both individual and team capabilities.
NQ Branch Club Carnivals
Surf Life Saving North Queensland coordinates ocean and beach carnivals hosted by clubs in the region. These competitions, while not part of the State or Other Championship categories, are essential in promoting ongoing skill development and competitive spirit among participants.
NQ Branch Youth State Team
Get ready to cheer for the 2025 North Queensland Branch (NQB) Youth State Team! This energetic squad of 38 dedicated members from five different clubs has been training relentlessly, pushing their limits and perfecting their skills. After months of hard work and a rigorous training camp, they are all set for the ultimate showdown at 2025 Surf Life Saving Queensland Youth State Championships, happening from March 13th - 16th, 2025, at Tugun.