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Albany Surf Craft Challenge 2026

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** ONLINE ENTRIES CLOSE FRIDAY 29TH MAY @4PM **

Welcome to the registration page for the 2026 Albany Surf Craft Challenge.

The Surf Craft Challenge is a WA Day long weekend tradition that attracts surf lifesaving clubs, paddling communities, and ocean enthusiasts from across the State. Starting in the Princess Royal Harbour at the Albany Boat Shed and finishing at Middleton Beach via the wreck of the Cheynes II whale chaser, the event showcases the spirit of surf craft racing and Albany’s unique coastal culture. With surf boats, skis and boards all taking part, it’s an inclusive, high-energy race that brings together competitors, volunteers, and the local community for a weekend of sport, celebration, and connection.

Early Bird online registrations close on Sunday 17/5/2026 at midnight** Now Extended to Wednesday 20 May!. Registration cost is $45 per head.

Standard online registrations close on Friday 29/5/2026 at 4pm. Registration cost is $55 per head.

Late registration is available on Saturday 30/5/2026 from 4pm until 7pm for Boats & Skis. Late registration cost is $65 per head. Late entries for Run & Board - see below.

Team Registrations (surf boats and double skis) - To register your team, nominate a team captain will need to enter and pay for the whole team. Team captains then share a link to team members who will register and join that team for free.

2km Run registrations are both online and available on the day following the completion of Boat & Ski race divisions. Registration cost is $5 per head.

NEW -- 3km Board Race* registrations are both online and available on the day - provisional start time is 3:30pm Saturday 30/5 - Youth, Open & Masters prize categories - final age categories to be confirmed on the close of entries. *SLS Racing Mals (Senior Long Boards). Registration cost is $5 per head. Get behind the trial re-entry of this exciting surf craft race division to the Challenge event program - to be held at Middleton Beach prior to the main Race Briefing at Albany SLSC.

Please Note:

  • All Surf Ski competitors must supply and wear a Personal Floatation Device. Leg leashes, PLB's, flares and high vis hats are recommended but not compulsory since the ocean leg of the course remains within 400m of land.
  • All Board Race competitors must hold an SLS proficiency relevant to age group, and wear high vis vests. The course will remain within 400m of the Ellen Cove/Middleton Beach coastline
  • Surf Ski event open to all surf ski craft types (SLS spec and ocean)
  • Minimum age for Boat & Ski event is 15 years. Exemptions will be considered based on demonstrated proficiency - please contact the organiser for approval prior to entry.
  • Minimum age for Board Race event is 13 years. Exemptions - see above.
  • Mixed boat crews will compete as Men's crews.
  • All Race Divisions (age categories) are provisional until the close of online entries, and subject to change. We do our best to keep the advertised age groups!
  • Insurance - Surf Lifesaving Australia members may be covered by your Club's own personal accident insurance policy - please contact your Club to confirm. All event participants are required to sign the event Waiver.


Race Course and Coordinates can be found here.

Event Merch will be available to purchase at Albany SLSC on Friday evening and on Saturday afternoon until all sold out! No pre-sales.


Event Timetable

Friday 29/05/2026

4:00pm Online Entries Close

4:00pm - 7:00pm Sundowner bar open & merchandise @Albany SLSC


Saturday 30/05/2026:

8:00am - 10:00am

Open training at Albany SLSC, Middleton Beach

2:30pm - 7:00pm

Registration, late entries, merchandise, nibbles & bar open at Albany SLSC, Middleton Beach.

3:30pm

Board Race @Middleton Beach - Youth, Open, Masters categories.

5:00pm
Race Briefing - mandatory


Sunday 31/05/2026:

6:30am - 7:15am

Mandatory Check-in at Town Marina Boatshed (Boats) and Peace Park (Skis)

7:30am

Mandatory Briefing at Town Marina Boatshed (Boats) and Peace Park (Skis)


All starts from the fishing platform on the Western side of the Marina.

** Wave start times subject to change based on final entries **

8:00am

Race start - Surf Skis (all categories)

8:10am

Start 160+ Women Surf Boats​

8:15am

Start 160+ Men Surf Boats

8:20am

Start Open + u23 Women Surf Boats

8:25am

Start Open + u23 Men Surf Boats

10:10am

Cut Off for all categories to finish course

10:30am

2km Beach Run

11:15am

Presentations

12:00pm

Light Lunch + Bar Open at Albany SLSC

4:00pm

Dinner, Music & Bar Open at Albany SLSC

9:00pm

Event Closed


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We look forward to seeing you in May!

Enquiries to surfsports@albanysurfclub.com.au

Registration fees

Where pricing applies, shown amounts include mandatory charges, items, and fees.

Surf Skis

Registration closes in 4 days 1 hour

    1. A$45.00

      Early Bird Pricing

      Apr 22 – May 20
    2. A$55.00

      Standard Pricing

      Now registering May 21 – May 29
      Register for Surf Skis

Surf Boats - Team Captains Only

Registration closes in 4 days 1 hour

  • Team Captain enters here and pays for the team. They then share their team link with the team members who join the team member registration form for free.

    1. A$225.00

      Early Bird Pricing

      Apr 22 – May 20
    2. A$275.00

      Standard Pricing

      Now registering May 21 – May 29
      Register for Surf Boats - Team Captains Only

Double Surf Skis - Team Captains Only

Registration closes in 4 days 1 hour

  • Team Captain enters here and pays for the team. They then share their team link with the team members who join the team member registration form for free.

    1. A$90.00

      Early Bird Pricing

      Apr 22 – May 20
    2. A$110.00

      Standard Pricing

      Now registering May 21 – May 29
      Register for Double Surf Skis - Team Captains Only

Surf Boats - Team Members Only

Registration closes in 4 days 1 hour

  • Team Members who have received a request from the team captain can join the team using this registration form

    1. Free

      Early Bird Pricing

      Apr 22 – May 20
    2. Free

      Standard Pricing

      Now registering May 21 – May 29
      Register for Surf Boats - Team Members Only

Double Surf Skis - Team Members Only

Registration closes in 4 days 1 hour

  • Team Members who have received a request from the team captain can join the team using this registration form

    1. Free

      Early Bird Pricing

      Apr 22 – May 20
    2. Free

      Standard Pricing

      Now registering May 21 – May 29
      Register for Double Surf Skis - Team Members Only

2km Run

  1. A$5.00

    Fixed Price

    Apr 22 - May 29
    Register for 2km Run

Board Race

  1. A$5.00

    Fixed Price

    Apr 22 - May 29
    Register for Board Race

Contact information

Event contact
Nick Walker
Phone
0438890995