What a weekend it was for Byron Bay Surf Festival – the surf was on, the sun was out and the sea folk were frothing! It was three fun-filled days with the sun greeting us each morning, rising over The Bay.
We were stoked to support it and be a part of the energy that radiated around the town from the local community and surf crew who were keen to connect, celebrate surf culture as inclusive, creative and conscious.
Saturday 24 March, Byron’s local community and surf lovers from all over rolled onto the foreshore of Main Beach. The morning air was filled with good vibes and stoke, as stall owners flocked to their sites to set up for the salty crowds and a weekend of fun! Byron Bay Surf Festival was back, the sun was out, the beach was dreamy…surf culture was alive and well!
The event schedule during the days was packed with an eclectic mix of markets, yoga retreats, arts, good food, community talks, and of course, surfing. The balmy nights full of magic, film, live music, art shows, fun and a few cold frothies…
Friday night, kicked off with The Sunset Cinema. Setting the tone for the weekend, the screening attracted a few hundred of the community, who gathered on picnic rugs under the stars for the Australian premiere of award-winning film, Given, alongside our short film, Where We live. The good vibes carried throughout Saturday at the Tipi markets and into the night as the world renowned G. Love graced the stage at The Beachy, jamming to a smiling crowd of friends and family who sung and danced to his funky tunes!
Early Sunday surf sessions kicked off the next morning as the waves pumped at Wategos Beach. Comps ran all day, open to young and old, experienced and inexperienced. Everyone was there for a good time and to enjoy the sport that brought the community together. The day was filled with pure happiness, freestyling your own creativity through any choice of surf craft. New friends were made as boards were swapped and wax rubbed various longboards, fishes, shortboards and anything that floated.
As the sun set over the hinterland that afternoon, and the festival came to a close, the same stoke lingered in the air…
Until next year Byron Bay Surf Fest, you were epic!
We captured the vibes over the three days and found out what the festival meant to our local community and the salty sea folk, check out our wrap-up video.