Sydney, Australia – The VW State Classic is back on the Coffs Coast this month for its second year, bringing five Surfing NSW State Titles under the one banner again: Junior, Masters, Longboard, SUP and High School. With progressions to the 2026 Australian Titles on the line, the six-day event runs from Monday 18 to Sunday 24 May 2026.
Last year’s debut pulled more than 650 competitors across NSW to the Coffs Coast, from ten-year-olds in their first heat to surfers in their eighties still chasing waves. Mums, dads and kids in the same line-ups. Lifelong club members cheering on first-timers. That format worked, and it is back, for 2026.
One of the stories that defined year one was Joey Silks. With floods cutting his town off from Coffs, his community rallied to get him to the event. He arrived by boat the morning of his heat and walked off the beach with the U16 Boys title. That is the kind of week the State Classic creates, and 2026 is set up to bring more of them.
A Second Chapter for the State Classic
Surfing NSW CEO Lucas Townsend said year two is about building on what year one proved.
“State Classic has quickly become one of the country’s largest grassroots surfing events, bringing the entire system together in one place. From groms to masters, every discipline, every region and every generation of surfers converges on Coffs Harbour for a week that reflects the scale and depth of surfing in New South Wales.
We’re excited to return to Coffs in 2026,” said Townsend. “The region has embraced the event, the wave options are world-class, and there’s something special about seeing thousands of surfers, families, clubs and communities come together along the Coffs Coast.”
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles returns as major partner for the ninth year of its partnership with Surfing NSW, with Amaroks, Multivans, and two ID. Buzz vehicles on the road, at the beach, across the week.
“Surfing is part of Australia’s cultural DNA, and it aligns naturally with what Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles stands for. In our ninth year of partnership with Surfing NSW, we’ve seen what’s possible when a brand genuinely supports a community, and the VW State Classic is a great example of that. Bringing shortboard, longboard, SUP and more together at one event, in one location, is something we’re incredibly proud to be part of. We’re looking forward to being back in Coffs Harbour.
A big part of this partnership is the mobility we provide. Our vehicles are out there doing the work, supporting the Surfing NSW team and moving everything needed up and down the coast. This year, we’re especially excited to see the ID. Buzz on the beach. There’s no more fitting place for it.”
Nathan Johnson, Director, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Beyond the Waves
The competition takes the centre, but the six-day event sits inside a wider program of activations across the Coffs Coast.
- Coopers Surf, Australia’s largest in-stock surfboard range, has every competitor covered with a $20 voucher in their pack and 20 percent off accessories with any board purchase. The team will run a shaper demo day across the week and host a movie night at Aanuka Beach House.
- Surfline returns as the event’s forecast partner, delivering daily reports and a 30 percent member discount on Premium and Premium+. URBN Surf is putting unlimited surfing day passes up for grabs at competition sites.
- Surfing NSW’s own programs are on-site all week.
- The LAB performance coaching crew is providing beachside support from 6am daily, with pre-heat warm-ups, strategy chats and post-heat reviews at the Juniors site.
- Her Wave runs a women’s session on Wednesday afternoon.
- Surfers Rescue delivers a bleed-control and tourniquet demonstration on Tuesday afternoon.
- Judging Masterclass with Richie Porta (former WCT Head Judge) will be held Sunday evening ahead of the event week for Surfing NSW judges.
The central event hub will once again be Aanuka Beach House, with the post-beach schedule coming to life across its fire pits and outdoor spaces to relax, dine and connect. Competitors can redeem 20% off food and beverage at the Aanuka Beach House Restaurant by presenting their event wristband at the counter.
“We’re excited to welcome the VW State Classic back for another year. Events like this create a great atmosphere across the Coffs region when competitors and their families are in town. We love hosting everyone at Aanuka Beach House for the activations and encourage the community to come down and get amongst it throughout the week,”
Keron McDermott, General Manager, Aanuka Beach House
The Coffs Coast Welcome
The 2026 event renews its partnership with Coffs Council and Coffs Coast Events, with three competition sites activated across the region for five surfing disciplines. City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams welcomed the event’s return.
“As a destination of choice, Coffs Harbour is always up for massive events and it doesn’t get any better than the Surfing NSW State Classic, Mayor Nikki Williams said. It’s a spectacular showpiece that stokes surfing culture and best of all, it embraces the grassroots community aspect of the sport.
Local competitors and fans will be wrapped to see athletes ranging in age from groms to seasoned veterans tackle the waves in a City renowned for its beach culture and warm welcome.”
The Countdown is On
Six days. Five titles. Year two. 18.05.2026.
- What: VW State Classic 2026
- When: Monday 18 to Sunday 24 May 2026
- Where: Coffs Coast, NSW
- On the line: Five NSW State Titles (Junior, Masters, Longboard, SUP, High School) and progressions to the 2026 Australian Titles
- Host venue: Aanuka Beach House
- Major partner: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
- Supporting partners: Coffs Council, Coffs Events, Coopers Surf, Aanuka Beach House, Surfline, URBN Surf, Liveheats
- Surfing NSW programs on-site: LAB, Her Wave, Surfers Rescue
Full event details and updates via the VW State Classic 2026 microsite.
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For media inquiries please contact: media@surfingnsw.com.au