Future Blue Fest

Come along to the Future Blue Fest and get to know local not-for-profit organisation's in the Byron Bay area with the common goal to care for the ocean. A day to network and connect with like-minded ocean lovers, so we can stand together to protect what is important for our coastal community! Whether you're a surfer, diver, beach walker, swimmer, naturalist, this event is for everyone!

To celebrate how fortunate we are with our beautiful coastline and waters and to discover more about it, dive into the experiences offered in the program, including  films, music, speakers, Q&A Panel, stalls, workshops, activities and more - all about the ocean! There will also be a surf board-swap station. 

The event will be held in and around the spacious Byron Bowling Club, and in case of rain, it will be all inside.

Many professional local water people will participate, SPECIAL GUESTS include Dave Rastovich, Lauren L. Hill, Pacha Lina Luque Light, Nidala Barker, Dr Chels Marshall, & featured music by Dusty Boots!

Meet local marine and coastal conservation organsation's, learn about their programs and how you can get involved. Visit their stalls & grab some great merchandise too. Organisation's include: Dolphin Research Australia, Byron Bird Buddies, Oceana Wildlife Rangers, Byron Coastal and ICOLL Centre, Byron Sea Turtle School, Byron Bay Malibu Club, Organic Land Care Inc., Disabled Surfers Association NSW Far North Coast.

Enjoy activities for everyone, including a marine discovery station,where you can learn about the local marine biodiversity and help in a citizen science microplastic survey of our local beaches. Enjoy face painting & special kid's activities where they can learn about the wonders of nature.

Join Nidala Barker in a very special workshop 'Building Our Sense Of Belonging to the Ocean' (included in ticket price)! from 2-3pm - Workshop description: We belong to the ocean, we continuously breathe in the salty ocean breeze and  breathe out carbon dioxide which the water turns to kelp for fish to have homes. But how do we step into this belonging? Through this short workshop blending music, storytelling and interactive exercises, you will experience what First Nations relationship to Country means and be given tools and ideas to find your own way to walk (and swim) with the land and sea.

Get crafty in our surf waste-to repurpose workshop - get creative and take home your own personalised drink coaster! and the kids can help decorate some ocean life surfboards with artists Nina Hurr & Liz Hawkins from 1.30-3.30pm

Contribute to a huge community ocean painting with local legendary artist and conservationist Howie Cooke.

Enjoy a chat with on the couch with Lauren L. Hill, Pacha L. Light and Karin Ochsner about ocean connection.

Be inspired by some incredible films and talks from ocean experts and champions. Including a conservation with Dr Liz Hawkins about Byron Bay's dolphin population and Hope Spot. The Q&A Panel with ocean champions and special guests (including Dave Rastovich (surfer & ocean advocate), James Sherwood (AMCS conservation campaigner), Ocean Youth, and Dr Chels Marshall (cultural systems ecologist & marine scientist)) who will discuss the power of one and community to help protect the oceans and the importance of staying connected.

The evening will be concluded with the feature documentary Wave Medicine. Afterwards, Karin Ochsner, the film’s subject and founder of Surfing to Survive, and open to questions from the audience, sharing how the healing power of the ocean and the supportive community helps her overcome a severe immune disorder.

There's also great prizes to be won! Including your chance to WIN a surfboard from Joel Fitzgerald! - This is open to ticket holders who purchase here through our Humanitix booking page. 

This event is organised and brought to you by:
Dolphin Research Australia, Surfing to Survive & Surfers for Climate

Check out our program:

* Please note ticket sales help us cover the direct costs of this event only. If you would like to support local grass-roots organizations doing great work to help protect our ocean and coast, please visit them at their stall on the day and donate directly. All of our local organizations need support from our community. Any remaining funds will help support the organizing charities.