The Northern Rivers is about to get its own professional surfing team, as Australia’s first national surf league throws open the doors on a brand new home-and-away season built for the beach.
The Surfing Super League (SSL) launched on Wednesday, 19 August, unveiling eight foundation franchise teams, including one representing the Northern Rivers region, ahead of a Summer 2028 kick-off.
It is the first time Australia, a nation that has produced some of the sport’s greatest champions, has had a professional domestic surfing competition of its own.
Northern Rivers surf fans will get to follow their own side through an eight-week home-and-away season, with teams also representing Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Sydney’s South, Newcastle, two Gold Coast teams, the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne.
Each home round will turn an iconic Australian beach or city into a purpose-built beach stadium, complete with grandstands, hospitality, entertainment and fan experiences.
Founder and CEO Chris Mater said the league was designed to keep the soul of surfing while giving it the structure of a major professional sport.
“The Surfing Super League celebrates everything people already love about the sport while introducing the structure, rivalries and consistency that define the world’s great professional competitions,” Mr Mater said.
Matches will be fast and furious, built for television. Every game runs inside a fixed 90-minute broadcast window, with four surfers competing as a team in a relay format. Every wave counts towards the score, and each half finishes with a high-pressure Power Surfer showdown to guarantee a dramatic ending.
The league is also promising one of the most progressive pay deals in Australian sport. Every contracted surfer, regardless of gender or playing tier, will be paid the same $89,000 salary for the eight-week season.
Olympic medallist and former World Tour surfer Owen Wright has confirmed he is coming out of retirement to chase a spot in the new league.
“I genuinely thought that chapter of competitive surfing was finished for me,” Mr Wright said.
“But when I heard what the Surfing Super League was building, it felt different.”
“The chance to compete at home, as part of a team and for something bigger than your own result got me excited to put the jersey back on.”
“I still love competing, and this feels like a really special reason to do it again and to help build a new era for Australian surfing, give back to the sport that’s given me so much, and create something meaningful for the next generation.”
Professional surfer Sophie McCulloch said the league would give athletes like her the financial security that has long been missing from the sport.
“Professional surfing has traditionally offered limited sponsorship opportunities, particularly outside the surf industry, and many surfers still work part-time just to fund the international travel required to compete,” Ms McCulloch said.
“The Surfing Super League will help athletes build more sustainable careers by providing guaranteed income through professional contracts, while also giving us a platform to grow our personal brands and attract a broader range of sponsors.”
“It creates the financial security to spend more time developing our skills and pursuing international events, without the constant pressure of trying to fund our careers.”
Team lists will combine Australian surfing legends, current professionals, international and out-of-market Australian marquee athletes and emerging talent, giving fans a new domestic pathway to follow week after week.
Fans can register their interest and get priority access to league announcements, player signings and ticket information at surfingsuperleague.com.