Program Overview

Saturday 14 February

If you would like to attend this free event, and are not attending the conference, please use the below link.

VIP Welcome – Invitation Only

Welcome to Country & Smoking Ceremony

Official Conference Opening
Ben Roche, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research & Education Impact, Southern Cross University
Soledad Campos de Parry, Senior Trade and Tourism Commissioner of Peru to Australia and New Zealand  – PROM PERU
H.E. Vitaliano Gallardo, Ambassador of Peru to Australia
Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholemew AM,  Australian World Surfing Champion & Patron of Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve

Meditation Session
Ngahuia Trewartha,  Mana Ceremonies & Chairperson of Fishery Bay Surf Reserve South Australia

Addressing the State of Global Surf Conservation
Nik Strong-Cvetich, CEO Save The Waves Coalition
Serge Dedina, PhD, Executive Director of Wild Coast Costasalvaje

Prom Peru Presentation: Peru: The Living Cradle of Surfing
Soledad Campos de Parry, Senior Trade and Tourism Commissioner of Peru to Australia and New Zealand  – PROM PERU

Keynote Speaker
Sam Elsom, MD & Co-Founder of Sea Forest Ltd & 2025 TAS Australian of the Year

Keynote Speaker
Layne Beachley AO, 7 times world womens champion & Ambassador of Manly Freshwarer WSR

Mexicos first manmade surfing reef revealed
Simon Mortensen, Principal Coastal Engineer,Managing Director, DHI Seaport, Australia

Watergum Presentation
Jenna Versluis, Turtlewatch Gold Coast Officer, Watergum Community Inc.

The Pass Parkwood Wave Pool
Luke Altschwager, Founder & Director, Palm Valley Gold Coast

Sustainability in the Surfboard Industry
Richard Harvey, Owner & Shaper, Harvey Surf, Australia

Flow Control
Greg Budgen, Director, Big Innovation Group, Australia

Keynote Speaker
Brad Farmer AM, Founder, Surfrider Foundation Australia & National Surfing Reserves, co-founder World Surfing Reserves

From Ripples to Waves: How Take 3 Mobilised the Global Surfing Community to Take Action for the Ocean
Tim Silverwood, co-founder, Chair & “Chief Catalyst”, Take 3 for the Sea

The Responsible Line-Up: Materials, Mindsets, and the Future of Surfing
Tom Wilson, Founder, Wavechanger, Australia

Thinking Outside the Box: Innovative Approaches to Strengthen Surf Conservation Frameworks
Yehuda Ben-Hamo, Coastal Conservation Manager, Wildcoast

Biosphere Reserves and Surfing Communities
Dr Tom Wegener, PhD in Surf Culture, Acting Noosa Shire elected councillor, Surfboard Shaper and Shaper of the year 2009, Adjunct at Southern Cross University, Australia

Peruvian Surf Culture & History
Magoo De la Rosa, former 90s professional surfer, Curator of Peru’s First Surfing Museum, Member of San Bartolo Club

Port Macquarie Surfing Museum and National Surfing Reserve
RN Donna Liver, Stewardship of Port Macquarie Surfing Reserve application, Australia
Alan Jeffrey, President, Port Macquarie Surfing Museum, Australia

Life after shark attack
Dave Pearson, Founder, Bite Club, Australia

Keynote Presentation
Robyn Harvey, Director, Women in The Waves
Toby Begg, World Para Surfing Champion and shark survivor

Offshore Wind Farms in Australia
Susie Crick, Director, Planet Long Day Care, and Manly Freshwater World Surfing Reserve, Australia

Sustainable Strategies: How Australian Reporting Standards are Changing the Game
Larissa Rose, Director, GG Enviro

Centring gender equity in ocean access, surfing and conservation
Flossy Barraud, Project leader, PhD Candidate, Ocean Women, The Manta Trust, UK

Establishing a Coastal Ecological Baseline across the Gold Coast
Chloe Broom, Senior Coastal Planner, City of Gold Coast, Australia

Surf Break Conservation in Latin America: Building a Regional Movement
Carolina Butrich, Hazia por tu Ola, Peruvian Society for Environmental Law, Peru

Seeing the unseen: Implications of diffuse source water pollution for marine ecological and social values.
Kirsten Benkendorff, Professor, Southern Cross University, Australia

The #1 source of ocean plastic that (almost) no-one is talking about
Brad Dalymple, Principal Environmental Engineer, Ocean Protect, Australia

6:00pm – 6:30pm – Prom Peru presents Sustainable Tourism in Peru
6:40pm – 7:10pm – Patagonia presents “Corazon Salado”
7:20pm – 7:40pm – Earth Ball: documentary by Andrew Kidman

All day Activations
Caballito de Totora, by Carlos Ucanan Arzola aka Huevito

Meditation Session
Ngahuia Trewartha,  Mana Ceremonies & Chairperson of Fishery Bay Surf Reserve South Australia

Keynote Speaker
Ziggy Aloha MacKenzie, World Junior champion & WSL QS Professional

From Beaches to Boardrooms: The Inspiring Conversation Journey of a Teenager from Noosa
Jarrah Small, award winning conservationalist.

Prom Peru Session: Peru North
Soledad Campos de Parry, Senior Trade and Tourism Commissioner of Peru to Australia and New Zealand  – PROM PERU

Shark Mitigation – Preview of Movie: Canary in the Shark Cage.
Shanan Worrall, Founder of Shark Eyes, Winner WSL best tube award, Esperance, WA

Changing Climate on Iconic Surf Waves
João Castro, Coastal/Environmental Engineer / Ocean Leader Fellow 2025 / Chartered Engineer / Manly Freshwater World Surfing Reserve Member, eCoast – Marine Research, New Zealand

Implementing the Coastal Resilience Partnership: A Review of the Coastal Hazards Risk Assessment Methodology and Coastal Resilience Scorecard
Prof Ian Eddie, Director of Research (Partnerships and Industry Engagement), Excelsia University College, Australia

Rapa Nui
Roberto Araki, 6x Chilean National Champion, Chile

Keynote Speaker – World Surfing Legend
Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholemew AM,  Australian World Surfing Champion & Patron of Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve

@sharkgirlkim: A 70s Surfer Girl’s #metoo Manifesto
Dr Melissa Fagan, Sessional Academic, Griffith University, Australia

Camera-Based Surf Resource Monitoring
Anthony Spinks, Surf Forecaster / Reporter, Surfline, Australia

Gold Coast Surf Amenity Monitoring
Beau Javernig, Coastal Engineer, City of Gold Coast, Australia

Noosa World Surfing Reserve
Danielle Tomlinson

Stories That Protect: Art, Media and Storytelling for Surfing & Ocean Conservation
Jesca Maas, Founder and Festival Director of Noosa International Surfilm Festival

Conserving Surf Ecosystems in Indonesia: A Strategic Opportunity from West Sumba
I Wayan Adi Mahardika, Conservation Planning Manager, Konservasi Indonesia, Indonesia

Tweed Sand Bypassing: 25 Years of Shaping Beach and Surf Amenity
Mathew Harry, Principal Manager – Tweed Sand Bypassing, Transport for NSW

Is Queensland Falling Behind Southern States in Water Quality Asset Management?
Harry Maher, Queensland Manager, Optimal Stormwater, Australia

Conserving communities – local security as pathway to resilience, adaptation and sustainability
Dr Ian McNicol, planner / scientist, NA, Australia

Engaging the next generation in Surf Ecosystem Conservation
Marissa Anne Sumiko Miller, Surf Conservation Senior Coordinator, Conservation International, United States

Blue Water Task Force: Harnessing Citizen Science for Cleaner Water
Harry Gordon, Blue Water Task Force Coordinator, Surfrider Foundation Australia

Embedding Surfing Into Coastal Governance
Scott Gillies, Strategy and Services Planner, City of Gold Coast, Australia

Speaking Truth to Plastic: Envisioning the Future We Want to See Through Words and Action
Jackie Nuñez, Founder/ Advocacy & Engagement Manager, The Last Plastic Straw/ Plastic Pollution Coalition, Puerto Rico

From Pilots to Programs: Gold Coast Sand and Surf Resilience Shaping Oceanside
Aaron Salyer, Director, Principal Coastal Engineer, International Coastal Management, Australia

Sustaining surf ecosystem conservation efforts in the face of climate change
Diego Sancho Gallegos, Director of Conservation Programs, Save The Waves Coalition, Costa Rica

How do surfers perceive and interpret the natural environment?
Nanao Sawada, student, Hosei University, Japan

Being a Surfer: Exploring the Lived Experience of Surfing and Well-being in Working Women
Naomi Taylor, Honours Graduate, Southern Cross University, Australia

From Weeds to Waves: Empowering Board-Riders to Restore and Protect Their Coastal Landscapes
Elisha Taylor, Ecologist, Northern-NSW boardrider member, Australia

Safeguarding Waves at the Edge of the Pacific: Surf Conservation and Community-Based Marine Protection in Morotai, Indonesia
Sandra Tjan, Focal Area Coordinator, Indonesia Locally Managed Marine Area (ILMMA), Indonesia

Southern Ocean Surf Reef – Binalup / Middleton Beach, Albany
Heiko Loehr, Director | Senior Coastal Engineer, Bluecoast Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd, Australia

The Jidi Divers: Indigenous-led investigation of potential contamination in cultural seafood
Ms Amanda Williams, Master’s Student, Southern Cross University, Australia

Conservation X Design: the transformative power of creative expression as a tool for ocean conservation
Jayson Wright, Director, Heaps Good, Australia

Paddle Out Ceremony
Hon Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Assistant Minister for Immigration
Tom Carroll, 2x World Champion & 3x Pipe Masters Titleholder
Launch of Caballito de Totora, by Carlos Ucanan Arzola aka Huevito (Peruvian Reed Board) & Triseah Mermaid participants
Soledad Campos de Parry, Senior Trade and Tourism Commissioner of Peru to Australia and New Zealand  – PROM PERU
H.E. Vitaliano Gallardo, Ambassador of Peru to Australia

All day Activations
Pyrographic Turtle Art, by Emily Rose Hastie

Meditation Session
Ngahuia Trewartha,  Mana Ceremonies & Chairperson of Fishery Bay Surf Reserve South Australia

Keynote Presentation
Hon Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Assistant Minister for Immigration
Tom Carroll, 2x World Champion & 3x Pipe Masters Titleholder

Beyond the Bright
Sean Doherty, former Chair of Surfrider Australia

Characterising the values of surf breaks to inform area-based environmental protections
Shane Orchard, Senior Research Fellow, University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, NZ

Surfing Economics: understanding and protecting the value of surfing ecosystems. Valuing Australia’s Surfing Resources for Sustainable Coastal Management
Dr Ana Manero, Senior Research Fellow, University of Western Australia, Australia

Waves of Change: Surf Reserves as Mechanisms for Transformative Ocean Governance
Kizzy Beaumont, PhD Researcher, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom

Sustainable Surf Tourism
Tiago Falcao, PhD Candidate, Griffith Business School, Griffith University

Secrets from beneath
Francesca Ferretti, PhD, Griffith University, Australia

Surfing as a lever for positive change: Addressing gender based violence in Papua New Guinea
Danny O’Brien, Professor, Sport Management, Higher Degree Research, Bond Business School, Bond University, Austrlia & Ireland

Surfing Association of Papua New Guinea (SAPNG)
Andy Abel, Founder and President of the Surfing Assocation of Papua New Guinea (SAPNG)

Saving a Wave Is Not Enough:  The Evolution of Coastal Protection at  Punta de  Lobos
Patricio de Mekis, CEO of Punta de Lobos, WSR, Chile.

Assessing pesticide contamination hotspots in northern New South Wales estuaries
Stefano Caraco, Student, Southern Cross University

Environmental Impact of Sunscreen & Toxicology
Dr Yousuf Mohammed, Associate Professor, University of Queensland
Dr Abhinandan Chowdhury (Rocky), Head of Toxicology and Compliance, VeganicSKN

A Framework for Assessing Surf Break Vulnerability to Climate Change: Application to the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve
Rafael Barros, Coastal Engineer, City of Gold Coast, Australia

Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve – Benefits & Challenges
Andew Mckinnon, President GCWSR, www.goldcoastworldsurfingreserve.com, Gold Coast Australia

History of Surfing Reserves
Rob Brooks, Bells Surf Reserve

Guerilla Conservation Tactics and the Founding of Save The Waves
William Warner Henry, Founder/Board Member, Save The Waves Coalition, USA

Protecting Surfing Ecosystems
Nik Strong-Cvetich, CEO Save The Waves Coalition

Surf Ecosystems and the Blue Economy in Costa Rica.
Jose Quiros, Senior Technical Manager Conservation International Costa Rica

Peruvian example of Federal Goverment Legislation to protect Huanchaco, Chicama, Let de Rompientes (Law of the Breakers)
Carlos Antonio Ferrer, Manager of Huanchaco WSR.

Urban planning and designing for surf ecosystem protection
Laura Zumbado, SPANS Costa Rica coordinator Save The Waves Coalition/  Director Playa Hermosa World Surfing Reserve, Costa Rica 

Surfing a Tsunami,
Felipe Pomar, Director “Surf til 100” Program anti-aging agent

Surf Conservation Insights from Overcoming Fears in Nazaré
João de Macedo, Presidente, Hope Zones Foundation, Portugal

Characterisation of Surfing Resources
Ed Atkin, Director/Environmentalist Scietist at eCoast Consulting and Research

From Amoring to Adaptation: 35 Years of Advocacy and Resilience at Surfers Point
Zac Plopper, Senior Environmental Director at Surfrider Foundation

Strategies for developing and Implementing a Surfing Reserves network
Mauro Figueredo de Figueiredo, Board Member, Instituto APRENDER Ecologia, Brazil

Scaling Up Surf Conservation to Achieve Global Conservation Success
Scott Atkinson, Senior Director for Surf Conservation, Conservation International, United States of America
Marissa Anne Sumiko Miller, Surf Conservation Senior Coordinator, Conservation International, United States

Surf Quality Impact Assessments, Evaluating impacts of coastal projects and adaptation on surf breaks
David Revell, Principal – Coastal Resilience, Integral Consulting, Inc, California

From Paddle to Policy: Surf Break Protection and the Social Pillar of Marine Spatial Planning
Mauricio Duarte dos Santos, PhD in Political and Economic Law, Environmental Researcher, NSW, Australia

A surfers journey to the top of Local Government
Chris Homer, Mayor Shellharbour City Council, Chair – Killalea National Surfing Reserve, Australia
Moderator: Andew Mckinnon, President GCWSR, www.goldcoastworldsurfingreserve.com, Gold Coast Australia

A Global Review on Surf Break Laws: Perspective and Challenges
Jesse Reiblich, Assistant Professor, Department of Marine Affairs, University of Rhode Island, USA
Shane Orchard, Senior Research Fellow, University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, NZ
Mauricio Duaarte dos Santos, PhD in Political and Economic Law, Environmental Researcher, NSW, Australia
Ana Manero, Senior Research Fellow, University of Western Australia, Australia

Legal Protection of Surf Breaks in Latin America and Emerging Frameworks
Carolina Butrich, Director of Conservamos por Naturaleza, SPDA
Patricio Mekis, Chair of Punta del Lobos WSR, Chile

Coastal Protection Panel Discussion
Moderator & Chaird: Shane Orchard, Senior Research Fellow, University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, NZ
Ana Manero, Senior Research Fellow, University of Western Australia, Australia
Carolina Butrich, Director of Conservamos por Naturaleza, SPDA
Chris Homer, Mayor Shellharbour City Council, Chair – Killalea National Surfing Reserve, Australia
Jesse Reiblich, Assistant Professor, Department of Marine Affairs, University of Rhode Island, USA
Mauricio Duarte dos Santos, PhD in Political and Economic Law, Environmental Researcher, NSW, Australia
Patricio Mekis, Chair of Punta del Lobos WSR, Chile
Q&A – 10 minutes

Save the Waves – Surf Ecosystems
Diego Sancho Gallegos, Stewardship & Resilience Manager, Save The Waves Coalition, Costa Rica
Mr Nik Strong-Cvetich, Chief Executive Officer, Save The Waves Coalition
Ms Laura Zumbado, SPANS coordinator/ Director, Save The Waves Coalition/ Playa Hermosa World Surfing Reserve, Costa Rica
Q&A – 10 minutes

Surfrider Foundation Session
Damien Cole, Surfrider Foundation
Drew McPherson, National Campaigns Manager, Surfrider Foundation

Latin American Panel Session: Community-Led Surf Conservation in Mexico: Lessons from Puerto Escondido and Bahía Todos Santos
Almendra Gomezleyva, WSR Puerto Escondido Mexico
Efrain Olachea, WSR Bahia Todos Santos Mexico

Caring for Sea Country
Professor Kirsten Benkendorff, Southern Cross University, Panel Moderator
Mr Nathan Brennan, Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung, Gamilaraay, Owner/Director/Principal Consultant, Waagayamba Consultants/Partnership Support, Country Needs People
Professor Stuart Barlo, Dean, Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples, Southern Cross University
Ms Amanda Williams, Gumbaynggirr Sea Ranger and Master’s Student, Southern Cross University, Australia

Surfing Innovation & Industry
Tom Wilson, Founder of Wavechanger, MSc Environmental Science, UNE
Dr Amanda Scott, SQNNSW Innovation Hub and NSW Decarbonisation Hub, Southern Cross University
Professor Andrew Rose, Professor of Environmental Engineering and Academic Director, Industry Collaboration at Southern Cross University
Dr Tom Wegener, PhD in Surf Culture, Current Noosa Shire elected councillor, Surfboard Shaper and Shaper of the year 2009, Adjunct at Southern Cross University, Australia

COOEE Education Presentation
Matt Barber, Founder COOEE School
Ziggy MacKenzie, World Junior Champion & WSL QS Professional
Nala Rabik, CooeeGC
Imari Hearn, England ISA representative surfer

Olas Peru Green Initiative
Roberto Meza, Director, Olas Peru
Magoo de La Rosa, Curator of the Peruvian Surf Museum
Peruvian Junior Team

Altered Tides: Creative Thinking for Surfers in a Climate Changed Future
Kerry Foxwell-Norton, Associate Professor, Communication, Media & Journalism Studies, Griffith University
Sara Hicks, Griffith University, Gecko Environment Council
Salvador Cantellano, Griffith University

Surfers for Climate
Caitlin Fine, Chief Operation Officer, Surfers for Climate
Kal Glanznig, Blue Minds Program Manager, Surfers for Climate
Cooper Chapman, Founder, The Good Human Factory, Author & Ex Pro Surfer
Ngahuia Trewartha,  Mana Ceremonies & Chairperson of Fishery Bay Surf Reserve South Australia

GCCC Water Quality Management Strategy
Kylie Soeguard, Senior Environmental Health Officer at City of Gold Coast

GCCC SIM Surfing Infrastructure Master Plan
Scott Gillies, Strategy and Services Planner, City of Gold Coast, Australia

Close of Conference
John Warn, CEO, Experience Gold Coast