he 2025 Made of Stars Southern Surf Festival brought together surf, community and celebration on April 26th and 27th, with over 120 competitors braving tough 4–6 foot choppy conditions at Middleton Point.
While the surf was testing, the performances were nothing short of inspiring. Across nearly 30 heats, surfers displayed skill, resilience and stoke — a true testament to the strength of the South Australian surfing community.
Event Director Craig said, “Middleton threw everything at us — wind, chop, and challenging peaks — but our surfers stepped up in every division. The vibe was incredible and we’re proud to see the community show up in such a big way. From elite surfers to first-time competitors, the spirit of SA surf culture was on full display.”
Beyond the competition, the event came alive with a vibrant surf market that featured over 20 stalls, food trucks, a pop-up bar, and local artisan products — a highlight enjoyed by surfers, spectators, locals and weekend visitors alike. The Middleton foreshore was bustling with laughter, music and the smell of woodfired pizza and coffee.
A special moment came on Sunday morning, when a large crowd gathered for the dedication of the Encounter Coast as South Australia’s fifth National Surfing Reserve — and the longest in Australia. Spanning from Parsons Point to Goolwa, the reserve includes 22 iconic surf spots, now formally recognised and protected. Professor Andrew Short OAM, co-founder of the National Surfing Reserves initiative, delivered a powerful keynote on the cultural and environmental significance of preserving surf breaks.
Another standout of the weekend was having Kale Brock — former SA local, surf coach and board shaper — not only take out two divisions but also showcase his quiver of boards, which dozens of attendees had the chance to demo in the water. The verdict? “These boards are epic,” echoed throughout the dunes.
Adding to the atmosphere was the hotly contested Interclub Challenge, with teams from Microgroms, Seaford Board Riders and SeaView Board Riders lighting up the beach with team spirit, colour and healthy rivalry.
We’d like to thank our naming rights sponsor, Made of Stars, for their generous support. Owned by the beautiful Kali, Made of stars is located beside the iconic Middleton Bakery, Made of Stars is a vibrant hub for crystals, creativity, workshops and holistic healing.
We also extend thanks to our partners: Victor Harbor Motor Co, Gage Roads Brew Co, Victor Harbor Plumbing & Gas, Outside Ideas, Bombora Medewi Wave Lodge, Alexandrina Council, Ray White Goolwa, Southern Building, Green Efficient Solar and Kombi Surf.
A special thank you to Care Vaughan for once again coordinating the market festival this year—her talent for bringing local artisans together makes this celebration truly special. To all the volunteers, community members, and event officials: thank you for your incredible support. We can’t wait to return in 2026!
View the full event results here.
– Surfing South Australia
