FAQ
Answers to common questions about the Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series. See Series Information for the published schedule and conditions.
What is the Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series?
The Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series is the home of professional surf sports. It unites surf athletes from around the world in board, ski, swim and Iron racing, testing speed, skill and stamina across a variety of surf conditions.
When did the World Ocean Series start?
The series launched in 2011. Its published history includes more than 160 events and 42,000 race entries, with athletes representing 10 nations.
When does the 2026/27 season run?
The published 2026/27 season runs from June 2026 to February 2027. The Series Information page contains the event schedule, and individual event pages provide event-specific details.
Where can I find event locations and dates?
The Series Information page lists the event schedule and links to individual event pages. Published locations include Fistral Beach in Newquay, Hossegor, Torrance Beach in Los Angeles and Australian coastal venues.
How is the overall championship decided?
Each athlete’s best five results count towards the overall championship. Events have 5,000, 7,000 or 10,000 point tiers, and the men’s and women’s Iron Champions are each awarded a Mitsubishi ASX.
What is World Ocean Series membership for?
For the 2026/27 season, WOS membership is required for the series’ owned and operated events and eligibility for WOS ranking points, prizes and prize money. Race entries are purchased separately.
What does World Ocean Series membership include?
Membership includes eligibility for WOS prizes and prize money and the official WOS race vest, T-shirt and hat. Read the Series Information page, published entry conditions and athlete waiver for membership and insurance information.
Are there youth events?
The published 2026/27 season includes three dedicated youth events, including the Race One World Youth Championships. Check Series Information and the relevant event page for published youth racing categories and schedules.
Is there an ocean swim?
A 2km Ocean Swim is a new discipline for the 2026/27 season, beginning at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. Visit the Ocean Swim event page for the published event information.
What are the marquee weekends?
The three marquee weekends are the Shaw and Partners Hayden Kenny Classic in Queensland, the Shaw and Partners Manly Surf Open in New South Wales and the Shaw and Partners Sunset 10,000 weekend at Northcliffe Beach in Queensland.
Where can I find results and rankings?
Visit the Results page for published standings and event results. The home page also displays Open Ironman and Open Ironwoman rankings. Check the season shown on each results source before comparing performances.
Where can I watch the World Ocean Series?
The official World Ocean Series YouTube channel is linked from the website’s Watch menu. The series has produced more than 50 live broadcasts and 14 million digital views; check the channel for published videos and streams.
How can my brand partner with the World Ocean Series?
Contact Ben Cochrane, Media, Content and Partnerships Manager, at ben@worldoceanseries.com, or Archie Vernon for partnerships at archie@worldoceanseries.com. The Partner With Us page lists published partners and partnership contacts.