by media | Mar 24, 2026 | News
North Narrabeen is about to do what it has always done. Be the stage where the country’s best young surfers announce their arrival.
From Wednesday, April 22 to Sunday, April 26, the Surfboard Empire North Narrabeen Pro Junior presented by Florence and the Surfboard Empire NN Ripper presented by Veia will bring the nation’s leading junior surfers back to one of Australia’s most important proving grounds, and a stretch of beach that has shaped generations of talent.
Few coastlines carry the same weight in Australian surfing.
From the Ocean & Earth Hot Buttered Pro Junior in the late 1980s and early 1990s, through to its evolution into an ASP World Junior Championship venue, North Narrabeen has long played host to the sport’s emerging talent at the highest level.
For decades, events at Narrabeen have done more than crown winners. They have identified surfers who go on to shape the sport.
Names linked to Pro Junior events at Narrabeen include Kelly Slater, Tom Carroll, Mark Occhilupo, Luke Egan, Taj Burrow, Jessi Miley-Dyer, Sally Fitzgibbons and Laura Enever — a reflection of the role this stretch of beach has played in identifying and accelerating world-class talent.
After a period away, Surfing NSW, in partnership with North Narrabeen Boardriders, is bringing that energy back, hosting both a World Surf League (WSL) Pro Junior event for 20-year-old athletes or younger, and a Surfing Australia Junior Series 10,000 event for U18 and U16 surfers.
Together, the events create a rare opportunity for the full pathway to be seen in one place, from emerging national talent to those stepping toward the world stage.
“North Narrabeen is one of the most established high-performance venues in Australian surfing and an ideal location to host a Pro Junior,” said WSL Tour Director Ty Sorati.
“The WSL is excited to bring the event back for 2026, given the iconic beach break’s rich history in competitive surfing. This competition provides an important platform for emerging talent to perform in quality waves and continue developing at a high level. With a strong field expected and a location known for producing world-class surfers, we’re looking forward to seeing the next generation step up.”
Surfing NSW CEO Lucas Townsend said the return of Pro Junior competition alongside a Surfing Australia 10,000-point event represents an important moment for the sport’s development pathway.
“There’s not a line-up in the state that carries as much history for our sport as Narrabeen,” Townsend said.
“Almost half of our membership is under 18, and a third of that group are female, so creating meaningful opportunities at that level is a priority for us.
“Having both events run side by side allows surfers to step into an environment that reflects the full pathway, from national competition through to the international stage.”
Luke Madden, Surfing Australia’s Chief of Sport & Partnerships, said: “Bringing a Surfing Australia Junior Series 10,000-point event to North Narrabeen, one of the most prestigious and historically significant venues in Australian surfing, really raises the bar. It is a place that has long defined careers and continues to provide a clear benchmark for the next generation coming through. This will be a key event in the national pathway, giving the nation’s top junior surfers the opportunity to compete in the world-class conditions that Narrabeen is renowned for. “
The events are supported by Surfboard Empire, who have recently opened their Northern Beaches store, strengthening their connection to one of Australia’s most active surf communities.
Surfboard Empire said, “we are thrilled to bring world-class competitive surfing back to the proving grounds of North Narrabeen. When we looked for a home for our first Sydney store, this iconic stretch of coastline was our only choice. Reviving the Pro Junior and introducing the new NN RIPPER, with the support of Florence and VEIA, isn’t just about timing; it’s about honoring the heritage of Australian surfing and building an iconic event for the next generation of local surfers.”
Additional support comes from Northern Beaches Council, Mona Vale Hotel and Reflections Holiday Parks, alongside Surfing NSW major partners including Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Surfline, with North Narrabeen Boardriders central to the delivery of an event so closely tied to their beach and community.
“This beach has always had a way of sorting the field,” Townsend said. “There’s an expectation that comes with competing here, and the opportunity for these surfers is to step into that and see where they sit.”
For some, it will be their first exposure to a national-level field. For others, it is a step toward the world stage.
Either way, Narrabeen tends to make things clear.
The Surfboard Empire North Narrabeen Pro Junior presented by Florence and Surfboard Empire NN Ripper presented by Veia will run from 22–26 April 2026, at North Narrabeen Beach.