Coastal talent ready to ride the waves to national glory

REGIONAL surfers are set to dominate the waves in Wollongong as Victoria locks in its powerhouse squad for the 2026 Australian Shortboard Titles. Leading the charge is Shoreham’s Sophie Wilkinson, who pulls double duty to contest both the Open Women’s division and the newly debuted Under 21 Women’s category

Joining her in making history is San Remo's Abbey Clarke, who secured a coveted spot in the newly introduced Under 21 Women's Victorian state squad. The men's divisions boast an equally impressive lineup of local talent with Dalyston’s Jarvis Cininas to spearhead the state team in the competitive Masters Men (Over 30) division.

Together these coastal athletes form a formidable regional contingent ready to bring national titles back to Victoria. The prestigious event takes place in Wollongong from August 24–29, 2026 bringing together a formidable mix of emerging youth, open contenders, and seasoned legends.

The selected Victorian team boasts immense depth, pulling elite talent from coastline communities spanning all the way from Portland to San Remo. These surfers have earned their spots through fierce state-level qualifying events and are now prepared to take on the nation’s absolute best athletes.

The 2026 campaign also marks a historic turning point for Surfing Victoria’s pathway development. This year features the highly anticipated debut of the Under 21 division.

This new category was specifically introduced to bridge the competitive gap between the junior ranks and elite, open-level national competition.

Among the headline acts for the open divisions are Kai Nudd, who enters as a major threat in the Open Men’s field, and Willis Droomer, who is tipped to be a standout performer in the newly minted Under 21 Men’s division.

The Australian Shortboard Titles represent the absolute pinnacle of domestic shortboard competition, acting as the primary pathway for international honours.

The stakes are incredibly high for the competitors heading north to Wollongong. In addition to competing for coveted individual national titles, the victorious surfers in the master's divisions will earn International Surfing Association (ISA) qualification.

This gives them a direct ticket to a spot on The Irukandjis Australia’s elite National Surfing Team. Local fans back home can follow all the action, including event schedules, live heat scoring, and daily progress updates throughout the week-long championship, by visiting the official event website at australianshortboardtitles.com