Noosa Longboarding festival

The Noosa Longboarding Surfing Festival is one of the premier longboarding events in the world. Held annually in the beautiful town of Noosa, located on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, the festival attracts longboarders and surfing enthusiasts from all over the globe.

The festival has been running since 1992 and has grown in popularity year on year, with thousands of spectators and participants attending each year. The festival is a celebration of longboarding, a style of surfing that dates back to the 1960s, where surfers ride longer boards, typically over nine feet in length, and focus on style, grace, and control. The festival includes several events that showcase the skill and style of longboarders. These include the Pro Men’s and Women’s divisions, where top-ranked longboarders from around the world compete for the title of Noosa Longboard Champion. There is also the Old Mal division, which sees competitors ride vintage longboards, and the Logger Pro division, where surfers ride modern longboards with a retro feel.

 The festival is not just about competition, however. It is also an opportunity for surfers and spectators to immerse themselves in the culture of longboarding. There are workshops and talks on topics such as board shaping, surf photography, and surf history, as well as live music, art exhibitions, and a surf film festival. Noosa is the perfect location for the festival, with its stunning beaches and laid-back vibe. The festival takes place at Noosa Main Beach, a long, sandy stretch of beach that is perfect for longboarding. The beach is also surrounded by cafes, bars, and shops, making it the perfect place to relax and soak up the festival atmosphere. The Noosa Longboarding Surfing Festival is more than just a surfing competition. It is a celebration of longboarding culture, bringing together surfers and spectators from all over the world to share their love of this timeless and stylish form of surfing. 

One of the unique features of the festival is the focus on the traditional art of longboarding. Unlike modern shortboard surfing, longboarding involves riding larger boards, often with a single fin, and employing a more relaxed and stylish approach to wave-riding. The festival celebrates this traditional approach and encourages surfers to showcase their individual styles and personalities on the waves.

The festival also has a strong focus on sustainability and environmental awareness. Surfers and festival-goers are encouraged to take part in beach clean-ups and other initiatives to help protect the local environment and raise awareness about the impact of climate change on the surfing community.

Beyond the surfing, the festival also features a range of food and drink vendors, live music performances, and a bustling marketplace where surf-related products and gear are sold. There’s a real sense of community and camaraderie at the festival, with surfers and spectators coming together to celebrate their shared love of the sport.

As an avid photographer, I always look forward to attending the Noosa Longboarding Festival. This event provides me with the perfect opportunity to capture some of the best surfing shots that I have ever taken. The festival is held on the beautiful beaches of Noosa, and the surfers that participate are some of the most skilled and talented individuals in the world. They take advantage of the long waves and smooth surf, and watching them ride the waves is truly awe-inspiring.

The Noosa Longboarding Festival is a great place for photographers to capture stunning images of surfers in action. The event attracts professional surfers, as well as amateurs and beginners, all of whom are passionate about the sport. As a result, I have been able to take some truly amazing photographs of surfers in motion, catching the perfect wave, and executing complex maneuvers.

One of the reasons why I love attending the Noosa Longboarding Festival is the quality of the surfers that participate. These are some of the best in the world, and it is a privilege to be able to capture their skills on camera. Watching them maneuver through the waves, performing tricks and turns, is truly mesmerizing. Their dedication to the sport is inspiring, and I feel lucky to be able to document their talents through my photography.

Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to have some of my photographs featured in various surf magazines. It is a great feeling to see my work in print, and to know that others appreciate the beauty of the Noosa Longboarding Festival as much as I do. I have also had the pleasure of meeting some of the surfers I have photographed, and it is always gratifying to hear their positive feedback about my work.

The Noosa Longboarding Surfing Festival is a unique and vibrant celebration of surfing culture and longboarding. It’s an event that brings together surfers from all over the world to compete, socialize, and immerse themselves in the surfing community. Whether you’re a seasoned longboarder or just starting out, the festival offers something for everyone, and it’s an experience that’s not to be missed.

If you are a longboarder or surfing enthusiast, this festival should definitely be on your bucket list. 

Surfers in images are Matt Chojancki, Honolua Blomfield , Kelia Moniz  , Miki  Webster, Lily Ellis , etc