And today is .......

[Buttface]

International Surfing Day duck-dives onto our calendars each June 20 and is dedicated to keeping oceans clean and encouraging people to surf the waves.

The ocean makes up most of our planet, and plays a crucial role in our health and survival. Today’s when we’re encouraged to be aware of the environmental impact of our activities in the sea and promote the protection of the ocean by building a passion for surfing.

Over the last 20 years, celebrations for this important surfing holiday have grown massively. The number of celebrations have increased over the years to 200+ events in more than 30 countries with over one million participants.

Surfing is an amazing gift and the beach is an incredible place that should be healthy, safe and accessible to all people. As surfers and beach-goers alike, it is our responsibility to foster a vibrant, inclusive community that comes together to protect and enjoy this extraordinary resource.

Surfing refers to the ability of riding a wave, no matter if the surfer is using a board or not. It also doesn't matter what the stance is, as long as the person is "riding a wave" they are surfing. In modern times, most surfers are found standing on a surfboard as they navigate a wave.

Surfing involves several skills:

• Paddling strength: You need strong arms to paddle out and catch waves.
• Positioning: Knowing where to be to catch the wave at the right time.
• Timing: Popping up quickly as the wave starts to push your board.
• Balance: Staying upright on the board. Practicing with a Balance board can help!

Surfers who are passionate about their sport also give back by volunteering for beach cleanups, habitat restorations, and maintaining recreational areas to keep the environment healthy and people happy.

Surfable waves are not created by wind alone; they require just the right underwater topography.

Ocean swells generated hundreds or thousands of miles away only transform into clean, rideable waves when they encounter seabeds with gradual slopes, reefs, or sandbars that cause the wave to steepen and break in a predictable way.

Small differences in bottom shape can turn the same swell into world-class surf at one beach and unsurfable closeouts a short distance away.

Modern surfing has grown into a sizable global industry that reaches far beyond the beach. The Australian government estimates that surfing contributes around multi-billion per year to the Australian economy alone through tourism, retail, and associated services.

In many coastal regions, surfers have become de facto “sentinels” for the shoreline, noticing changes in water quality, erosion, and marine life before the general public.

Research on surf-break protection shows that local surf communities have successfully campaigned for marine reserves, sewage-treatment upgrades, and legal protection of surf breaks, linking their intimate knowledge of waves with broader coastal management and conservation policies.

Across our nation, the day is celebrated with community coastal clean-ups, free surf sessions, and ocean conservation activities at beaches nationwide. Major festival events and competitions coincide with the weekend to mark the occasion. Because June marks the start of the winter swells in Australia, today’s celebrations provide prime wave conditions for local events including:

• NRMA Insurance Seas The Day Festival (Kingscliff, NSW): The world’s largest female participation surf festival takes over Kingscliff Beach from 20–21 June. It features inclusive surfing divisions for all skill levels, wellness hubs, breathwork, and surf psychology, as well as live entertainment.
• Surf Fest Nose Riding Lessons (Freshwater, NSW): Hosted at the Harbord Hotel, pro surfer Tully White is leading dedicated longboard masterclasses on 20 June to teach advanced traditional manoeuvres.
• The Mindful Surfer Workshop (Kingscliff, NSW): Held at Rowan Robinson Park on 20 June, this session dives into the social psychology of surfing and its impact on mental health.
• Global Conservation Launch: Conservation International is officially launching its new global "Surf For The Ocean" campaign on 20 June to establish community-led surf-protected coastal areas.
• National Ocean Conservation: Throughout the coast, various local boardriders clubs and environmental groups - including Surfers for Climate - host beach clean-ups and habitat restoration projects to protect local marine environments.

Many local boardrider clubs and chapters of the Surfrider Foundation organise volunteer tidy-ups to protect local marine environments. For the rest of us, there’s always more ways to contribute to this great day:

• Go Surfing – Grab a surfboard and have fun in the waves, whether you are an expert or a beginner. If you’ve never tried surfing, this is a great day to start!
• Clean Up a Beach – Join a local group or go with friends to pick up trash on the beach. This helps keep the ocean safe for animals and people.
• Spread the Word – Share pictures, videos, or messages about surfing and ocean conservation on social media. Use hashtags like #InternationalSurfingDay and #ProtectTheOcean to inspire others.
• Be a Responsible Surfer – Choose eco-friendly surf gear, avoid using plastic, and always follow beach rules to keep nature safe.

Cowabunga!! Gotta go – the surf has my name on it!


Fun Facts about Surfing:

• The shape of a "tube" or "barrel" wave is measured by how long it is compared to how wide it is: Square - less than 1:1 (wider than long); Round - 1-2:1 and Almond - more than 2:1 (longer than wide)
• The speed of a tube wave depends on its angle: Fast - 30 degrees; Medium - 45 degrees and Slow - 60 degrees
• Hanging ten: Having both feet on the very front of the board with all ten toes hanging off the edge.
• Hanging five: Having just one foot near the front with five toes off the edge.

“The best surfer out there is the one having the most fun”

“Surfing is attitude dancing”

“If you're having a bad day, catch a wave”

“There are a million ways to surf, and as long as you're smiling, you're doing it right”



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Mmmm salty water.

 

[tiger_one]

World Music Day rhythmically sounds onto our calendars each June 21.

Music is universal. Music is for everyone, everywhere. Music expresses that which cannot be put into words, and that which cannot remain silent. What a special day this is.

Get ready to tap your feet, because World Music Day is here. Today, Australia-wide is an all-embracing, multi-genre music festival that shows how strong and beautiful music can be. People celebrate everywhere, so it does not matter if you are one of the professional musicians or just someone who likes to listen.

This day is all about the power of music and how it brings people together as a universal language. This is a celebration of music for everyone.

Music brings people of various cultures together. Song and tune can cross any line or wall. On this day, you get the chance to hear new sounds, take in free shows, and feel close to your community.

It is a good time to enjoy the beauty of music and open your ears to something new.

There’s nothing in the world like the sound of your favourite song coming on, it just gets right into your head and your body and makes you move.

Or maybe it takes you on a journey to a faraway place and time, where you languish in a memory of times gone by and people who are no longer present.

Some of our favourite songs can lift us up out of depression and worry and make an otherwise horrible day suddenly seem like it’s not so bad. World Music Day celebrates music in all its forms and the impact it’s had on the world and the human spirit.

Here in Australia, today is an open-access "Do-It-Yourself" music festival where thousands of musicians, community groups, and schools host free, public live performances and workshops in streets, parks, and venues nationwide.

Major cities and regional hubs across Australia have extensive programs and free entry events scheduled for the weekend, including:

Sydney is getting ready to turn the beautiful harbour-front into a huge music festival for World Music Day. The public spaces will fill up with free concerts, making it a good day for all. The city’s best spots will be front and centre, with all kinds of acts taking the stage, from classical groups to indie rock bands and lively cultural music.

These live shows are here to bring music to the people, giving both locals and visitors a great and easy day out. (It’s simple to join in the fun. Just get down to the harbour-front and follow the music. There will be stages in lots of places, so you can wander around, find new artists, and enjoy the festive feeling that makes music day in Australia something special.)

Melbourne’s laneways will be full of life as they become the centre of the city’s Music Day. These spots are known for street art and lots of cool little bars and cafes. With music, they turn into the best places for fresh and close-up street shows. As you walk on the cobblestone streets, you’ll find new artists and musicians who’ve been playing for years. There will be everything from relaxed solo acoustic sets to lively jazz groups. You’ll hear all kinds of genres of music in the laneways. This is a top way to find a new favourite while you walk around Melbourne’s famous streets.

These pop-up shows are what make World Music Day in Australia feel so fun and free. You never know who or what you’ll run into around the next turn, so every part is a surprise for music lovers. So, grab a coffee, get out there, and let the music lead you on a new adventure.

Brisbane will put on a big open-air music festival by the river for its World Music Day celebration. The city’s lovely riverbanks are the place to be, with live music, food, and good times with the crowd. It’s the best way to soak up an outdoor concert in the sunny Queensland winter. This music festival will have a mix of local and international artists. You’ll see how different countries join in for this world music event. There will be stages for folk, pop, and world music, so there’s something for everyone. The vibe is relaxed and very family-friendly.

It’s the kind of day that’s good for all ages who love and enjoy music in all its forms.

Perth will be getting everyone involved in Music Day. There will be jam sessions for the community and special spots for busking all across the city. This hands-on style puts musicians and fans right in the middle of things. Public spaces turn into live music stages for all.

It’s a great way for local people to show what they can do and for people to share the fun of making music together.

Adelaide is set to show the world its rich cultural diversity on Music Day with lively music parades and exciting concerts out in the open. The city will light up with bright colours and the beat of music, showing the many traditions that make this community special. It is a good example of how different countries and cultures get involved in this big event.

You will see cultural music parades with performers in their traditional clothes. They will play instruments and sing songs that come from their roots. After the parades, you can go to one of the many outdoor concerts in parks or city squares. These events have a fantastic mix of artists, playing both traditional and new music.

So, as we mark World Music Day 2026, it’s the best time to dive into the lively sounds and many cultures that music brings to Australia. We can see shows by the water in Sydney or join the busy action in Melbourne’s laneways. There’s something for all, no matter what music you like. These fun, free music day events get people together and help local bands and artists keep doing what they love.

Music has a special way of bringing people close. It can lift you up and bring real happiness. Grab your mates, get out and see what’s on in your area, and take part in the good times. Let the beat of world music lift your spirits on this day for all of us in Australia.

Can you hear it? Can you feel it? Just go with the beat …….


Fun Facts about Music/instruments:

• In some places, people have made drums from hollowed-out trees, pots, and even big cans. Anything that makes a “boom” can be a drum!
• The Hawaiian word “ukulele” means “jumping flea” because of how the player’s fingers hop around the strings.
• The flute is one of the oldest instruments ever discovered. Ancient flutes were made from bird bones!
• Before they were used for music, trumpets were played during battles to send signals to soldiers. They were loud enough to be heard over all the noise!
• Australian Aboriginal people make didgeridoos by finding tree trunks hollowed out by termites. They didn’t even need tools to carve them!

"Where words fail, music speaks"

"Music is the shorthand of emotion"

"Musicians are the loud voice for so many quiet hearts"

“Music comes from a place we don’t know”