Lake Macquarie is set to host a "Commonwealth Games-scale" surf life saving event for the next three years under a landmark agreement with Surf Life Saving NSW.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz joined with leaders from Swansea Belmont, Caves Beach and Catherine Hill Bay Surf Life Saving Clubs on Tuesday night to announce a new sponsorship deal for Blacksmiths Beach to host the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships from 2026-2028.
The group also celebrated the successful signing of a new 21-year lease for Swansea Belmont and Caves Beach SLSCs, providing long-term security for their beachside tenures.
Work is also underway to secure renewed leases for Catherine Hill Bay and Redhead SLSC.
"From Nippers to seniors, surf life saving is embedded into our way of life in Lake Macquarie and we are proud to continue to support it," Mayor Adam said.
"The services these clubs provide are integral to our community, not just in terms of water safety and rescue, but for education, social interaction and encouraging physical activity and wellbeing."
SLSNSW Surf Sports Manager Greg Pierce said Swansea Belmont had hosted the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships for a total of 10 years over three separate stints since 2000.
"The NSW Surf Life Saving Championships are equivalent to the Commonwealth Games in size. This is a huge event and we can't wait for February next year to come around," he said.
"SLSNSW is excited to bring our showpiece surf sports event back to Blacksmiths Beach and the Lake Macquarie region. In fact, many athletes consider Blacksmiths to be the unofficial home of surf sports."
"The Hunter Region is blessed with some beautiful beaches and very talented athletes and it's going to be great to see them competing at the biggest event on the NSW surf sports calendar.
Council acting Manager Community Partnerships Jacqui Hemsley said the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships attracted almost 17,000 competitors and spectators annually, many of whom travelled from outside the region.
"That adds up to an extra 15,500 nights and day trips spent in Lake Mac over the next three years, not to mention any return visits they make once they've been here and see what we have to offer," she said.
Visitors to the championships are also expected to inject more than $3 million into the local economy each year.
Mayor Adam described the 21-year lease agreements as a "major milestone" in a decades-long partnership with local surf life saving clubs.
The 2026 NSW Surf Life Saving Championships are due to be held from 14 February to 1 March 2026.
