WCBC Big Wave Challenge 2026: Wrap up
It’s Kings Birthday long weekend and conditions for the West Coast Bodyboard Club (WCBC) Big Wave Challenge 2026 finally look like they will turn on. It had been a long and uneventful waiting period for the event with no suitable swells on the horizon during the allocated time frame. The committee made the call to extend the waiting period for another month even though jet ski assistance would be unavailable from June onwards (due to whale season). The call proved to be the right one with a potential swell building along the south coast of Australia, scheduled to hit out shores over the long weekend.
WCBC watched the forecast closely for the week leading up to the event and then GREEN LIGHT call was made for Sunday 7th June 2026. Competitors were notified of the pending swell event and last minute sign ups were finalised. The committee got to work and wheels were in motion for an epic day at the events regular location- Logan’s Beach (Japs).
Logans Beach Platform on event day 2026, Image: Rodney Harris
Logan’s Beach is not for the weak. It holds a large amount of swell and is no stranger to 10-12ft bombs that detonate onto a shallow sand bottom. Wipe out on one of those in there wrong spot and you won’t know what day it is. This wave is perfectly suited to bodyboarding. On bigger days it’s a heavy, often hollow barrel that runs down the line with intent, taking everything and everyone with it. Dialled in skills and a little bit of luck are the only ways to make a clean exit from freight train barrels like these.
The paddle out at Logan’s is a real test of character and humbles even the most seasoned wave riders. If you have it pegged and paddle out in the right spot you might get lucky, but, 80% of the time your coping bombs on the head and there is no where to hide.
Pulling hard for the bottom turn in heat 1, Image: Rodney Harris
WCBC Big Wave Challenge 2026 was underway from 0830 Sunday morning with clean 6ft sections, and the occasional 8 footer coming through the line up. Sun shining overhead with a light offshore breeze. The real challenge this day was the rip. She was big and she was angry. She snaked up and down the beach all day and her impact was undeniable. There was a lot of paddling to stay in the spot and precious energy wasted trying to get free of her grip. She made a mess of the line up where ever she went and showed these warriors who was boss.
Through out the carnage of the day there was some moments of brilliance. There were impossible barrels made, there were spins, inverts and rolls, and critical manouvers inside the close out section spurred on by pure frustration. There were multiple leashes broken throughout the day and lost boards with the competitors swimming abilities tested in big swell.
But…the Big Wave Challenge is ultimately about commitment. The riders commitment to taking on critical drops, pulling into impossible barrels, and attempting critical manoeuvres on heavy set waves. This is where the real magic, and the real testament of courage really comes to light.
A frothy one, Image: Peter Goodman
The winner was decided based on these factors. Their commitment, the critical nature of the wave and how they utilised it. It all came down to anger, frustration and a f*ck it attitude that seen the winner drop into a set wave with no exit. His decision to rip a big spin inside the heaving close out section was what secured the day.
Full Results below:
Chris How
Sam Logan
Ross Stewert
Matt Van
Alex Ashcroft
Josh Hall
Luke Palmer
Grant Lowman
Marcus Jackamn
Leon Van Kempen
Nathanael Golebiowski
Tyson Purcell
Winner Chris How does a flippy, and event tradition, Image: Rodney Harris
WCBC Big Wave Challenge was another epic day with amazing people, generous volunteers and a crowed that was engaged from the first siren (the car park was full all day!). The support for the 2026 event was outstanding. Big thanks to everyone involved in hosting the event with special mention to Luke and Brooke from Disabled Surfers Warrnambool for cooking the best BBQ feed ever, private photographers Rodney Harris, Peter Goodman and Dennis Balsar, the event sponsors and family and friends who helped on the day.
If you want more information on the club sponsors and how you can join WCBC please visit their website at wcbc.au (link below). It’s all inclusive club with events suitable for all skill levels.
Story by: Kylie Palmer (writer and editor of Slab Media)
