ECAT (East Coast Activation Tour) 2026 feature film included in the Save The Waves Film Festival.

Following the day after the World Surfing Conservation Conference February 2026, host organization Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve Inc hit the road on a five-day surf conservation safari called, “East Coast Activation Tour” (ECAT) from Gold Coast to Sydney

22 surfers representing Countries from Peru, Costa Rica, Rapa Nui, Chile, Mexico, Spain, USA, Bali, and Australia packed into three vans & one car with over 30 surfboards including the Caballito de Totora (Peruvian Reedboard) convoying down the highway on a coastal mission.

The International Delegation was warmly greeted by NSR (National Surf Reserves) designations at Lennox Head, Angourie, Crescent Heads, Port Macquarie, Norah Head, Manly & Bondi. Interviews were conducted with CEO of Save The Waves, Nik Strong Cvetich, Organiser Andrew McKinnon, and Peru’s Carlos “Huevito” Arzola, Magoo De la Rosa and Catalina Zariquiery. Connecting community, culture, and conservation was the main theme of the coastal mission.

An extremely ambitious & historic project that scored a post pumping swell at Snapper Rocks is now the subject of a short feature film documentary “ECAT” that has been officially included in the global Save The Waves Film Festival. STWFF is the world’s only international surf and environmental film festival.

ECAT is amongst 10 short films that will be screening worldwide throughout the year.

The Gold Coast screening is on Saturday 11^th July at Tom Atkin Hall, Tugun from 7pm – 10pm. 

2026 has been a milestone year for GCWSR marking its 10^th anniversary with WSCC & ECAT events.

More info on the films, venues and schedule HERE

-       news from Andrew McKinnon