Which beach hosted the first World Surfing Championships in 1964?

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Manly Beach hosted the first World Surfing Championships in 1964.

The inaugural championships were held at Manly, on Sydney's Northern Beaches in New South Wales, Australia. The event marked an important step in turning surfing from a collection of regional contests into an internationally recognized competitive sport. Surfers from several countries competed in men's and women's divisions.

Australia's Midget Farrelly won the men's title, while Phyllis O'Donnell of Australia won the women's title. Their victories made them the first world champions officially recognized through this championship series.

Manly is often associated with the development of Australian surfing because it has accessible beach breaks, a strong surf culture, and a long history of surf lifesaving. The 1964 championships should not be confused with later professional tours, which used different organizations and event formats.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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