2026 Coolum Wedge Bodysurfing World Tour Qualifying Series

Excitement levels were building as the Coolum Wedge Festival’s first QS of the season approached. The chat groups in the days’ prior were full of stoke and bold claims of rides to be had and manoeuvres to be pulled off.

The first contest day arrived, and a beautiful Sunshine Coast Auttumn day dawned. The competitors released some of that nervous energy by pitching in to set up the festival site.

A glassy swell allowed competitors to show what they had been working on in the off-season. A large field was gradually whittled down through the double-elimination format which made sure first round losers had a chance to continue through the “Round of Redemption” as we like to call it.

The fields were eventually whittled down to the men’s and women’s semi-finalists. The organizers made a great call by ending the day there (the wind had swung onshore) and putting the semis and finals on first up next morning, prior to the Wedge social divisions start. Competitors again were treated to off-shore glass, and the crowd were treated to a bodysurfing display for the ages.

The women’s final, as is the norm these days, was desperately close. Ally Zillman entered the final with the form on the board, winning her semi, but couldn’t find the knock-out wave she needed in the final. The top three women were separated by just sixteen hundredths of a point. Pipi, of course, was everywhere in the line-up and had used all her eight-ride limit by the bell. Pipi’s heat and priority strategy is improving in leap and bounds, and she fell just short but had another impressive podium finish. This left last year’s 1-2, Katy and Lyla, again battling it out. There was nothing in it, but when the dust settled, Lyla had reversed last year’s result and came away with the win.

1. Lyla Crouch - 8.66

2. Kay Collins - 8.60

3. Pipi Cathcart - 8.50

4. Ally Zillman - 7.67

The men had been pushing each other all tournament, and the level of surfing in the final was ridiculous – so good that front somersaults were only scoring 6’s from the judges. All of these men have lifted their competitive game, and the final was like watching an awesome new video game. Big Jarrod was everywhere in the line-up and his power on the waves is unique. Jackie Macrae, the style master, was making every ride look effortless despite their complexity. Jay VD came back from a season of injury with a vengeance, unleashing a new game full of flow and technicality, a performance that would have won most contests.

However, Osprey captain Jack Lewis looked like he had somehow unlocked cheat codes for the waves. He opened the heat with a mind blowing 3-second barrel, exiting on the high-line and just going to town on the rest of the wave. The only reason he didn’t score a 10 was because the judges needed some room in case he did something even more unworldly. He had to settle for a 9.7, which he then backed up with an 8+ ride and got the box of chocolates.

Jack Lewis - 17.90

Jay Van Deurse - 13.10

Jack Macrae - 12.36

Jarrod Bridges - 10.80

Thank you to all the participants, our passionate audience, volunteers, and sponsors who make this incredible event possible.

Next stop: The Festival of Froth July 24-25. Stay tuned for more thrilling moments with the world’s best bodysurfers!

Ranking

OPEN MEN

1. Jack Lewis (Australia) 1000

2. Jay Van Deurse (Australia) 860

3. Jack MacRae (Australia) 730

4. Jarrod Bridges (Australia) 670

5. Jae Marr (Australia) 610

5. Glen Murphy (Australia) 610

7. Chris Anderson (Australia) 555

7. Will Cassidy (Australia) 555

9. Patrick McNally (Australia) 500

9. Adam Baldwin (Australia) 500

9. Dorian Gandin (Australia) 500

9. Liam Toohey (Australia) 500

13. Shaun West (Australia) 450

13. Will Koon (Australia) 450

13. Justin Ray (Australia) 450

13. Alec Gold (Australia) 450

13. Nathan Connors (Australia) 450

13. Mitch Attard (Australia) 450

19. John Cathcart (Australia) 390

19. Patrick Sheehan (Australia) 390

19. Jack Barlow (Australia) 390

19. Griffin Willey (Australia) 390

19. Patrick Smithers (Australia) 390

19. Ewan White (Australia) 390

25. Luke Smith (Australia) 360

25. Mark Lyddiard (Australia) 360

25. Nick Sharp (Australia) 360

28. Magnus McManamey (Australia) 345

28. Jad Markland (Australia) 345

30. Paul Saffigna (Australia) 335

OPEN WOMEN

1. Lyla Crouch (Australia) 1000

2. Katy Collins (Australia) 860

3. Pipi Cathcart (Australia) 730

4. Ally Zillman (Guam) 670

5. Anna-Lei Petit (Australia) 610

5. Sherie Tracey (Australia) 610

7. Caroline Cotton (Australia) 555