20 February 2026
Margaret River event brings together the surf community to save pristine Scott Reef from Woodside's $16 billion fossil fuel plans.
Event Details:
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What: Wild Waves Forever Margaret River
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When: Thursday, 26 February 2026, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
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Where: The Common Bistro, 1 Resort Place, Gnarabup
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Cost: Tickets available via Humanitix (proceeds support Surfers for Climate)
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Includes: Free Gage Roads beer on arrival (two for FIFO workers)
The Wild Waves Forever event on 26 February will feature unseen surf footage shot at Scott Reef – one of Australia's most remote and rarely surfed breaks – alongside an update on fossil fuel giant Woodside's controversial plans to surround the reef with up to 57 gas wells.
The event comes at a critical juncture, with the WA Environmental Protection Agency’s recommendation to the West Australian Government on Woodside’s amended proposal expected early this year.
What's at stake
For surfers, Scott Reef represents something increasingly rare: a world-class wave that remains untouched by development, crowds, or commercialisation. Located 270km offshore, it's one of the few surf breaks in Australia where you can still experience the ocean in its wild, pristine state. No jetties, no resorts, no parking meters. Just perfect waves breaking over living coral.
“Once drilling starts, it's changed forever,” says Josh Kirkman, CEO of Surfers for Climate. “You can't drill 57 gas wells around a reef and expect the waves to stay the same. The ocean floor changes, the reef structure is compromised, and even if there's still waves, the entire character of the place is destroyed.”
Beyond the immediate drilling impacts, the 900km pipeline would carve through two marine parks and past the pristine Rowley Shoals, which is home to more breaks. A single well blowout, like the 2009 Montara disaster that burned for 74 days, could spread pollution for hundreds of kilometres, potentially affecting multiple reef systems and surf breaks along WA's remote northwest coast.
The reef’s also home to endangered pygmy blue whales, green sea turtles, and whale sharks, all of which makes surfing Scott Reef so special. Sandy Islet, a small island in the middle of Scott Reef where turtles nest, could literally sink if gas is extracted from underneath it.
FIFO Workers Join the Fight
Looking for broad community support, the event is specifically reaching out to fly-in-fly-out workers who are often familiar with WA's pristine marine environments. Attendees who work FIFO will receive two free Gage Roads beers on arrival instead of the standard one, with all ticket proceeds supporting Surfers for Climate's work.
"This isn't a political issue, it's about protecting the natural assets that make WA epic," says Josh Kirkman, CEO of Surfers for Climate. "Whether you're a surfer, fisher, diver, or just someone who loves the ocean, Scott Reef is worth saving."
ENDS
For media inquiries, interviews, and high-res photos:
Surfers for Climate
Ry Atkinson
Email: [email protected]
Mob: 0423 270 124
Web: www.surfersforclimate.org.au
Campaign: www.savescottreef.greenpeace.org.au
Event: https://events.humanitix.com/wild-waves-forever-margaret-river
Social Media:
Instagram: @surfersforclimate
Facebook: /surfersforclimate
About Surfers for Climate:
Surfers for Climate is an Australian registered charity dedicated to maintaining a thriving ocean by empowering a sea-roots movement for positive climate action.
About Scott Reef:
Located 270km off the northern WA coast, Scott Reef is Australia's largest stand-alone coral reef atoll. It supports hundreds of species including endangered pygmy blue whales, green turtles, whale sharks, sea snakes, sharks, rays and sawfish, making it one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in Australian waters.
Contact details:
Surfers for Climate
Ry Atkinson
Email: [email protected]
Mob: 0423 270 124
Web: www.surfersforclimate.org.au
Campaign: www.savescottreef.greenpeace.org.au
Event: https://events.humanitix.com/wild-waves-forever-margaret-river
