SHAW AND PARTNERS WORLD OCEAN SERIES - SHANNON ECKSTEIN CLASSIC  – Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series

SHAW AND PARTNERS WORLD OCEAN SERIES – SHANNON ECKSTEIN CLASSIC

The greatest show in surf sports where elite racing meets a festival-style spectacle

Some athletes don’t just win they redefine what’s possible.

Kelly Slater changed surfing forever.
LeBron James did the same in basketball.
In surf lifesaving, that figure is Shannon Eckstein.

Shannon Eckstein had no weaknesses. He made no mistakes. A champion both in and out of the water, his dominance went far beyond physical ability. What truly separated him was the way he thought about racing. Meticulous, analytical, and relentlessly prepared, Shannon mastered race formats, point structures, session management, and training methodology often finding an edge before the race had even begun.

And then there were the unseen details. The preparation no one noticed. The quiet advantages only he understood. That complete, holistic mastery of surf sports is what elevated him above the rest And why his legacy continues to define excellence at the highest level.

After zig-zagging across Australia and the world, the Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series calendar comes down to its final two days. The Shaw and Partners Sunset 10,000 and the Shannon Eckstein Ironman Classic will bring the series to a close, with champions crowned on Saturday afternoon.

These final moments will reward what the World Ocean Series stands for dedication, consistency, resilience, and elite fitness. To lift a Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series title, athletes must prove they can perform week after week, across locations, conditions, and formats, rising above the best in the sport when it matters most.

Across the pathway events, from Under 15 through to Under 17, there has been a remarkable shift in both participation and performance. The depth of talent, technical skill, and competitive maturity on display signals a very bright future for surf sports the sport is unquestionably in great hands.

That next generation will be on show this weekend, with selected junior athletes stepping into the Finals Packagethrough the Race One Ticket Program, giving Under 17 competitors a taste of elite racing and a front-row seat to the highest level of surf-sports competition.

With 20,000 points still on the table in the Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series, the title race is far from decided. Everything is still in play. Things can go wrong and things can go very right. We won’t name names, but there are athletes who could all but seal their series hopes at the Shaw and Partners Sunset 10,000. For many divisions, the championship will come down to the final day.

All good things must come to an end. Unfortunately, this weekend will mark the last time we see Ali Day racing in the Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series. Ali is more than just a champion he’s a presence. A leader. A role model whose influence reaches every nipper, every young athlete, and every person involved in surf sports. His impact has always extended well beyond racing and training, and we know Saturday afternoon will be a moment everyone takes the time to soak in.

So, Merry Christmas surf sports fans. Sit back and enjoy what promises to be an action-packed final two days. This is the stage. This is the moment. This is where athletes prove themselves to the world.

EVENT OVERVIEW

The Shannon Eckstein Ironman Classic will be held at BMD Northcliffe SLSC on the Gold Coast across Friday 13 and Saturday 14 February 2026.

Renowned as the richest event in surf sports, the Classic features a total prize pool exceeding $380,000, including:

· $200,000 in event prize money

· $75,000 overall series prize pool

· 2 Subaru Crosstreks awarded

· 12 Race One surfcraft giveaways

FAST FACTS

Dates: Friday 13 & Saturday 14 February 2026
Location: BMD Northcliffe SLSC, Gold Coast
Participants: 1,000 of the world’s best athletes
Nations Represented: 13

Key Timings

· Friday: 7:30am – 2:30pm Heats | 3:00pm – 5:30pm Finals Package

· Saturday: 7:30am – 1:30pm Heats | 2:00pm – 4:30pm Finals Package