Welcome to the Coolum Wedge Body Surfing Festival 2023 Now in its third year, the Coolum Wedge is looking forward to seeing all you whompers back for more fun, barrels and fingers crossed, amazing waves. Coolum Beach on the Sunshine coast can deliver world class waves in tropical waters. One of Queensland's hidden gems, Coolum Beach is at the end of a long stretch of amazing beach breaks running up to Noosa National Park. Coolum Beach is fortunate in that its sheltered in the corner of a headland, so it can handle any of the funky winds that is thrown at it. The Coolum Wedge, Body Surfing Festival will be held from the 24th of March until the 26th 2023.
"Huge News for 2023" The IBSA (International Body Surfing Association) has invited The Coolum Wedge 23 to be the World’s first qualifying tournament, for the official Bodysurfing World Tour Championship. There will be five world regions that will each hold their own qualifying tournaments; South America, USA, Hawaii, Europe and Australia. The top eight Men’s Open and top four Women’s Open point scorers in each region will have the option to compete in the inaugural Bodysurfing World Tour Championships.
The IBSA qualifying event will be held as a separate competition on Wedge Friday, so whompers can compete in both the IBSA and also in a division in The Wedge
With the grass roots vibe that we all love at the Wedge still a core value, the Wedge is even more (Where the International) Tribes Come Together
This year the Champion Club will be decided in a one-off teams’ heat to be held Saturday afternoon. Each club team must have one competitor from each division (Juniors, Women, Open, Masters and Tribal Elders). The heat will be 30 minutes duration in total. Each member must catch at least one wave with a maximum of three waves per member. Each member’s highest scoring wave will be added to the team total. The relay will be a tag team format, with the tag between team members made on the beach. Winning team will be highest aggregate score. The results and anointment of Wedge Champion Club will be crowned at the after-party on Saturday night. Competitors can ‘compete down’ in age categories. i.e. a second/third Tribal Elders competitor can represent their teams as their Masters or Opens competitor and a second Masters competitor can represent their team as an Open competitor. Age-qualified women can represent their teams as the Women's Open (any age), Masters (over 35) or Tribal Elders (over 56) competitor if another women is representing the team already as a Women's Open. Additional juniors can also represent their team as their Open competitor
Bodysurf Club captains should email Darren to register the team and learn further detail
What else is new for 23?
The Festival is a 3 day Event with competition running over 2 days. Every competitor in the division with more than 20 participants will surf a minimum of two heats – more time in the water!
Wedge Champion Bodysurfing Club To reward all-around strength and promote diversity and inclusion, points will be awarded in every division to the bodysurf club of all semi-finalists and finalists. Club with the highest tally will be anointed Coolum Wedge Champion Club.
Mid-Summer Eve’s Picnic at The Point Immediately after the Group Whomp-In session on Friday afternoon (5.30 pm), we will move to the Point Perry Lookout for a BBQ. Come along and reconnect with your fellow whompers, watch the sunset over the contest site and plan your victory strategy!
Festival Schedule
24th March Friday morning 10.00am IBSA Qualifying Tournament for Bodysurfing World Tour Championships. 24th March Friday Afternoon 4.00pm Group Whomp-in Session at First Bay 24th March Friday Eve 5.00pm Mid-Summer Eve Picnic at The Point 24th March Friday Night 7.00pm Casual catch Up at Coolum Beach Hotel 25th March Saturday 7.00am – 5.00pm Opening Day competition – Heats 25th March Saturday Afternoon Club Champion Super Heat 25th March Saturday 7.00pm Mid Festival After-Party CBH 26th March Sunday 7.00am – 5.00pm Finals Day and presentations 26th March Sunday Stayers Tales Of Grandeur session at Coolum SLSC
Coolum Wedge 23 Name The inaugural Coolum Wedge 21 was monikered The Fist Of Doom by Renowned international artist and bodysurf freak Al Wrath. His t-shirts produced for the event quickly became a collectors item.
Spring boarding from that theme Coolum Wedge 23 became The Fists of Fury competition after legendary kung fu maestro (and rumoured whomping enthusiast!) Bruce Lee. How else do you explain his most famous quote – “Be as water, my friends”
And now, Coolum Wedge 23 welcomes you to….. Any Wedge Way You Can
From the classic Clint Eastwood 1980 film featuring “Right Turn, Clyde” who had a wicked arm span, perfect for making those fast barrel sections at his home breaks in Indo.
This is the graphic on this year’s T-shirt so make sure to order yours when registering
To order your Coolum Wedge 2023 T shirt, please get in touch with us, stating your size.
Rafael Caldeira Brazil and Eastern suburbs whomper
Coolum wedge changed my perception of competition, which usually meant tension for me. The Wedge bodysurfing event is definitely all about fun, from the beginning to the end, due to their unique inclusive atmosphere, where everyone involved holds such a passion for the ocean.
Lyla Crouch The local legend
I think it's amazing. It's a really fun sport and all girls should get involved in it. It's good to see that men and women are both competing in it.
Diana Harvey 79'ers
I loved being part of the Coolum wedge energy, encouragement and fun. People of all ages from 12 to 80 and capabilities came together, to share their love of bodysurfing. The competition made me stretch myself and it's made me a better body surfer.
Here are a few clips of the Coolum wedge from the last few years. keep checking back for more clips.