Gerroa will take centre stage in Australian windsurfing later this month when the 2026 Severne East Coast Titles arrive at Gerroa Beach on February 21-22, marking the grand finale of the New South Wales Wave Sailing Association (NSWWSA) season.

Initially scheduled for 14-15 February but postponed due to weather conditions - the event comes amid renewed momentum for the sport both locally and nationally. 

Just last week, Gerroa hosted a NSWWSA Youth Wave Sailing Camp, drawing more than 20 young sailors from across the state, while internationally the profile of windsurfing has surged following 17-year-old West Australian Sarah Kenyon being crowned Junior Girls’ Wave World Champion.

For local sailor James Hayward, who will line up in the amateur division, the event represents both a personal milestone and a celebration of the sport’s unique culture.

“I’ve been windsurfing since I was 13, and I’m part of a generation that saw this sport explode in the 80s,” Hayward said. 

“What keeps me coming back is the camaraderie - and now the real thrill is seeing the new blood coming through.”

Hayward said the mix of generations on the water is what gives the amateur division of the East Coast Titles their distinctive feel.

“You’ve got guys like Stuart Rennie, who only started five years ago and is already ripping world-class waves in Hawaii. That progression, and the way everyone supports each other, is what makes this event special.”

Gerroa is widely regarded as the spiritual home of wave sailing in NSW, with its reliable north-easterly sea breezes providing ideal cross-shore conditions for high-performance sailing. 

“The summer NE winds here are what everyone hopes for - cross-shore power, proper ramps for jumps and great down-the-line wave riding,” Hayward said. 

“It’s also just a postcard location. When conditions line up, there’s nowhere better.”

Hayward said the competition field is stacked with elite talent across multiple divisions. 

“The Open Men’s fleet includes Logan Haggerstrom, Peter Puhl, Tom Squires and Duncan Osborne, all known for pushing the limits with radical wave riding and aerial moves,” he said.

“In the Women’s division, Laurie Menviel is again expected to shine, while the Masters division features world-class experience, including Pacasmayo Classic World Cup holder Adrian Levy, NSWWSA president Jason Juretic and veteran Oliver Barta.”

While the event carries International Windsurfing Tour (IWT) 2-Star status and world ranking points, organisers say the heart of the weekend remains firmly rooted in community.

“For locals, it’s a moment of pride to see our home beach transformed into a world-class stage,” Hayward said.

“There’s a real sense of tribe here - you’re competing hard, but you’re also sharing waves, stories and time with mates.”

Spectators are encouraged to take in the action from the Black Head Reserve headland for a bird’s-eye view, or from the beachfront near the Seven Mile Beach Holiday Park, where the event hub will be set up.