Albany Surf Craft Challenge 2026

Princess Royal Harbour defines this race from the start, with crews beginning at the Boat Shed and heading towards Middleton Beach via the wreck of the Cheynes II whale chaser. The Albany Surf Craft Challenge 2026 is part of the WA Day long weekend tradition, more a club gathering than a formal event, centered on the "spirit of surf craft racing" and the local coastal culture it embodies. Surf boats, skis, and boards are featured together, bringing surf lifesaving clubs, paddling crews, and ocean enthusiasts together with volunteers and the local community. The course offers genuine saltwater conditions, from a harbour start to an ocean finish. The recent board race returns Youth, Open, and Masters categories to Middleton Beach before the main briefing. It offers an "inclusive, high-energy race" while maintaining the practical, community atmosphere of a weekend dedicated to sport, connection, and sharing stories at the surf club.