Surf Coast Event Participants,

This month we celebrate a new event – the Bells Beach Longboard Classic. Held across four days, this free event will feature the worlds best longboard athletes at the iconic Bells.

Moving further up the coast line and the annual Amys Great Ocean Road Gran Fondo kicks off in early September. If you’ve ever wanted to cycle a fully closed Great Ocean Road, we highly recommend getting amongst this event.

These are just two events we have amongst a jam packed calendar, so make sure you check out all of our upcoming events and markets in the Surf Coast!

Sarah, Jim, Katie and Jodie 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

The Bells Beach Longboard Classic is stop no 2 on the new look WSL World Longboard Tour and the only event on the tour to be held in Australia.

The WSL Longboard Tour celebrates traditional lines of surfing with updated and progressive approaches. This series not only crowns the men’s and women’s Longboard World Champions each season but also highlights the special style of surfing expression at some of the most idyllic venues on the planet.

“We’re excited for the new developments and growth for the WSL Longboard Tour,” said Jessi Miley-Dyer, WSL SVP of Tours and Head of Competition. “We’ve added more tour stops, incorporated wider qualification, and are committed to crowning World Champions in the water with a new one-day Finals-format. We look forward to the 2023 season and beyond to continue to celebrate the world’s best longboarding.”

2023 WSL Longboard Tour Schedule

Vans US Open of Surfing (Huntington Beach, Calif., USA): July 29 – August 6, 2023
Bells Beach Longboard Classic (Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia): August 30 – September 2, 2023
Surf City El Salvador Longboard Classic (El Sunzal, El Salvador): September 19 – 25, 2023
Longboard Championship (Malibu, Calif., USA): October 3 – 13, 2023

You can get amongst the action!! Head to Bells Beach to watch the world’s best longboarders compete on one of the most iconic waves in Australia and the world. The Bells Beach Longboard Classic will be a free event open to the public and will include heats per men’s and women’s divisions, across a four day waiting period.

“We’re lucky to have this iconic surfing spot, and look forward to watching the world’s top longboarders compete,” said Surf Coast Shire Council Mayor Liz Pattison.

Australia’s most spectacular cycling event, Amy’s Great Road Gran Fondo returns on Saturday 9^th and Sunday 10th September 2023!

Catering to cyclists of all abilities, Amy’s Gran Fondo is the only cycling event held on a fully closed Great Ocean Road. Read more event details here.

This year’s event has an added level of excitement following the recent announcement that Amy’s Gran Fondo will host the 2025 UCI World Gran Fondo Championships! Participants can ride Amy’s this year, qualify at Amy’s in 2024 and become a world champion at Amy’s in 2025.

Amy’s Gran Fondo is the safest event on the Australian cycling calendar and makes no apologies for the procedures that are in place to enable the event to maintain this safety record. Safe cycling tips here.

The Amy Gillett Foundation have been proudly working together with Santini to create the first TAC approved cycling jersey that aims to increase the visibility of bike riders from 2% to 90% whilst out on our Aussie roads. Participants can donate or fundraise $100 or more to receive a limited edition Citroen Amy’s Gran Fondo jersey, valued at $199!

Surf Coast Wonderfalls Trail Run

The Surf Coast Wonderfalls Trail Run starts at Cumberland River Holiday Park and takes on some awesome single trails, visiting up to 6 waterfalls for the longer distances. This event offers incredibly beautiful scenic mountain trails with challenging yet amazingly beautiful single trails.

Distances: 5km, 13km, 25km, 42km, 52km.

Find out more

BELLS BEACH: 30 AUGUST – 2 SEPTEMBER

Bells Beach Longboard Classic

The tournament is one of only four events on the World Longboard Tour in 2023 and brings 48 of the world’s best longboarders to Bells Beach to do battle, including two local and two national wildcards.

The Bells Beach Longboard Classic will be a free event open to the public.

Spectators welcome!

Find out more

TORQUAY: 2 – 3 SEPTEMBER

Victorian Mixed Ultimate Championships

Ultimate is a non-contact team sport played with a flying disc (frisbee), that is all about inclusion, health, team work and ultimately – fun!! The Victorian Mixed Ultimate Championships is Victoria’s premier mixed gender Ultimate Frisbee tournament.

Spectators welcome!

Location: Banyul-Waari Fields and Quay Reserve.

Find out more

LORNE: 9 SEPTEMBER

Amy’s Gravel Fondo

Gravel grinding is riding a bike on gravel, loose stones or any unpaved surface using any type of bike including cyclo-cross, mountain bike, gravel grinder or hybrid. Amy’s Gravel Fondo is part of the Amy’s Great Ocean Road Gran Fondo.

Distance: 45km.

Find out more

LORNE: 10 SEPTEMBER

Amy’s Great Ocean Road Gran Fondo

Catering to cyclists of all abilities, Amy’s Great Ocean Road Gran Fondo is held on fully closed roads in one of the most picturesque destinations on the planet – the Great Ocean Road.

Distances: 130km, 45km and 14km Family Ride.

Find out more

AIREYS INLET: 16 SEPTEMBER

Aireys Inlet Dark Sky Event

Passionate and knowledgeable speakers will introduce attendees to the wonders and beauty of the night sky.

Tickets: are free but is registration required.

Find out more

ANGLESEA: 16 SEPTEMBER

Surf Coast Century

The Surf Coast Century is a spectacular 50km and 100km Ultra Marathon traversing the Surf Coast and iconic Great Ocean Road. Ultra running at its best. Ideal for first timers and experts.

Distances: 100km solo, 50km solo and 100km relay teams.

Find out more

ANGLESEA: 16 – 17 SEPTEMBER

Angair Wildflower & Art Weekend

Discover, explore and wonder at the amazingly diverse indigenous fauna and flora found in the extraordinary environment of the Surf Coast coastal hinterland.

Remember: if you can’t make it to Anglesea for the live event, you can still pop into the virtual nature show at www.angairnatureshow.org.au

Location: Anglesea Community Precinct in McMillan Street.

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JAN JUC: 16 – 17 SEPTEMBER

Rip Curl Grom Search

The GromSearch Series runs in more than 10 countries, with over 3,000 competitors worldwide. The Rip Curl GromSearch Qualifier will take place in Jan Juc on September 16-17th.

Spectators welcome!

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ANGLESEA: 6 OCT

The Sound Doctor: R VG

Melbourne band RVG perform the tricky alchemy of combining rock’s urgency, punk’s anarchy and pop’s empathy, for a unique sound that feels vital.

Location: Anglesea Memorial Hall, 7:00 PM

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ANGLESEA: 7 OCT

The Sound Doctor: Didirri

This evening promises to be an exhilarating journey through Didirri’s musical landscape on his Caught in the Act Tour. With the soulful strains of his debut album featuring the mesmerising singles ‘Begin Again’ and ‘Often Broken’, Didirri aims to captivate audiences with his raw talent and heartfelt lyrics.

Location: Anglesea Memorial Hall, 7:30 PM

Find out more

SURF COAST: 7 – 15 OCTOBER

Art of the Minds Festival

Celebrate mental health and wellbeing with Art of the Minds during National Mental Health Week. With lots of events on offer, many of which are free, it’s a celebration of all things mental health, featuring music, art and spoken word.

Full calendar of events.

Find out more

BELLS BEACH: 7 OCTOBER

2023/24 Victorian Open Surfing Series

The event is the first round of the Victorian Open Series and will crown the Victorian Open Champions in both the Men’s and Women’s divisions.

Find out more

TORQUAY: 22 OCTOBER

Surf Coast Kite Festival

The Surf Coast Kite Festival is a free community event showcasing spectacular giant kite displays. A fun family day!

Find out more

Markets!

Sample delicious food, be inspired by makers, creators and growers, spread the picnic rug against a stunning natural backdrop, or simply take a wander – there is something for everyone at a Surf Coast Market.

Find all markets