Surfboard Empire North Narrabeen Pro Junior Presented By Florence Set for 2026 Launch

The World Surf League (WSL) is excited to announce the Surfboard Empire North Narrabeen Pro Junior Presented by Florence, set to take place from April 22 to 26, 2026, at North Narrabeen, New South Wales. Joining a long list of iconic events to take place at the premier Sydney beach break, this exciting event will attract the best junior surfers from throughout the Australia/Oceania region, looking to qualify for the 2026 WSL World Junior Championships.

A back-to-back winner the last time Pro Junior competition took place at North Narrabeen, Sierra Kerr (AUS) used her 2023 victory as a stepping stone to winning that season's WSL World Junior Title. Credit: WSL / Noah Regan

Across the same event window, North Narrabeen will host 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, the Surfboard Empire NN Ripper Presented by Veia, creating a unique moment where the full pathway is on display in one place.

Few stretches of coastline 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 competition 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 beach has played in accelerating world-class careers.

"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."

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. With community support from Northern Beaches Council, Mona Vale Hotel, and Reflections Holiday Parks, alongside Surfing NSW's major partners including Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, and Surfline.

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. For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.