Surf Reflections Junior Series takes off in 2026

Barely a year after its humble launch as a single event on the New South Wales Mid North Coast, the Reflections Cadet Cup will expand into three events as the Surf Reflections Junior Series in 2026, nurturing the potential careers of the East Coast’s most talented groms.

The debut Cup was held at Rainbow Beach, Bonny Hills, in February, 2024, thanks to a partnership between Reflections, the largest adventure holiday park group in NSW, and iconic surfing festival Surfest, with Under 12s, Under 14s and Under 16s girls and boys categories.

A 5500-rated event on Surfing Australia’s National Series calendar, the Cup was quickly embraced by surfing and board riding groups along the coast, with a second event held in December 2024 at Tuncurry’s Nine Mile Beach.

“This event has grown in both entries and scale of activities, including food pop-ups and youth workshops, and we are thrilled that in 2026 it will become the Surf Reflections Junior Series, with three events - Bonny Hills (February 6-8), Urunga/Hungry Head (May 8-10) and Tuncurry/Forster (November 13-15), with Under 14s and 16s age categories for boys and girls,” Reflections CEO Nick Baker said.

“We believe as an organisation that life’s better outside and with the help of Surfest, this Series is not just supporting youth sport but also regional tourism: the economic impact of the Cup was around $90,000 when it launched in 2024 and we anticipate that will rise to $270,000 in 2026 across the three events.”

Surfest director Warren Smith said the Cup had cemented itself as an important event for youth up and down the East Coast who were vying to strengthen their surfing career.

“The Reflections Cadet Cup, now known as the Surf Reflections Junior Series, has grown immensely and with the standard of surfing rising with it, we are creating the next generation of Australian surfers,” Mr Smith said.

“It’s been really exciting to watch the talent emerge and the support from the surfing communities has been the glue that has ensured its success.”

Minister for Lands and Property, Sport and Tourism Steve Kamper said it was great to see the success of the inaugural Cadet Cup lead to its expansion to a three-event series next year.

“Reflections Holidays manages holiday parks on Crown land at some of the NSW’s best surf breaks so it’s fitting to see it help nurture the next generation of surf champions while supporting regional tourism by hosting the new Series," Mr Kamper said.

Key dates for the 2026 Surf Reflections Junior Series:

Feb 6/7/8 - Series 1 - (Bonny Hills/North Haven) - Event at Rainbow Beach

May 8/9/10 - Series 2 - (Urunga/Hungry Head) - Event at Hungry Head Beach

Nov 13/14/15 - Series 3 - (Tuncurry/Forster) - Event at Nine Mile Beach