The race that stops the festival!
Shell grit? Penalty! A cut in the oyster? Penalty! Blood? Disqualification!
Australian Oyster Shucking Championships is one of the most unique races you will ever experience and it’s not just the Australian titles at stake, the winner is invited to compete at the World Oyster Opening Championships in Ireland in September!
Shuckers must be both fast AND tidy in their presentation. Oysters must be presented in the bottom shell, flipped and with the adductor cut. Once the shuckers open all their oysters and the clocks are stopped, judges take a closer look. Time penalties are added if the oyster isn’t sitting neatly in the shell, hasn’t been flipped or has shell grit inside the shell.
In 2023 we introduced the John Susman Medal, an honour presented to Australia’s Oyster Shucking Champion and a recognition of John’s longstanding support of the festival. One of Australia’s most eminent seafood authorities, Chair of Judges for the Sydney Royal Aquaculture Competition and all round legend, John’s lively commentary during the Championships is surpassed only by his contribution to our Ultimate Oyster Experiences.
This event is proudly supported by Australia’s Oyster Coast, Australia’s largest producer of Sydney Rock Oysters.
See the competition rules here.
2025
Narooma Rocks Competition Official: Cath Peachey.
Hosts: John Susman (Chair of Judges Sydney Royal Aquaculture Competition) and Al Brown (Depot Eatery, NZ).
Judges: Simon Marnie (Food journalist) & Corey Costelloe (20Chapel)
Timekeepers: Joe Zappia (Sydney City Oysters), James White (Olsson’s Salt) and Jules Crocker (Joto Fresh Fish).
3.30pm: Women’s Competition
4pm: Men’s Competition
5pm: The John Susman Medal presented to the overall winner, who becomes the Australian 2025 World Championship contender.
2025
Winner of the John Susman Medal
Greg Carton, of Broadwater Oysters, Pambula Lake, took overall champion on the day with a time of 2 minutes 52, and a ‘perfect plate’ – no penalties!
Women's Competition
| Prize | Name | Representing | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Sally McLean | Jim Wild's Oysters | 3:32 |
| Silver | Sue McIntyre | Broadwater Oysters | 3:34 |
| Bronze | Jade Norris | Oyster Shed on Wray | 3:40 |
Men's Competition
| Prize | Name | Representing | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Greg Carton | Broadwater Oysters | 2:52 |
| Silver | Jim Yiannaros | Batemans Bay Oysters | 3:08 |
| Bronze | Doody | 3:12 |
2024
Men's Competition
| Prize | Name | Representing | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Gerard Doody Dennis | Independent | 2:49 |
| Silver | Graeme Rush | Pinnacle Oysters | 3:00 |
| Bronze | Greg Carton | Broadwater | 3:16 |
Women's Competition
| Prize | Name | Representing | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Sue McIntyre | Broadwater Oysters, Sapphire Coast | 3:20 |
| Silver | Sally McLean | Jim Wild's Oysters | 3:24 |
| Bronze | Jade Norris | The Farm gate on Wray Street | 4:01 |
2023
Men's Competition
| 1 | Gerard ‘Doody’ Dennis | Independant | Eurobodalla | 2:41 |
| 2 | Jim Yiannaros | Batemans Bay Oysters, Clyde River | Eurobodalla | 2:54 |
| 3 | Greg Carton | Broadwater Oysters, Pambula Lake | Sapphire Coast | 3:00 |
| 4 | Jim Wild | Jim Wild’s Oysters, Greenwell Point | Shoalhaven | 3:07 |
Women's Competition
| 1 | Sally McLean | Jim Wild’s Oysters, Greenwell Point | Shoalhaven | 2:54 |
| 2 | Sue McIntyre | Broadwater Oysters, Pambula Lake | Sapphire Coast | 3:13 |
| 3 | Jade Norris | Farm Gate on Wray Street, Clyde River | Eurobodalla | 3:48 |
2022
Men's Competition
| 1 | Jim Yiannaros | Batemans Bay Oysters, Clyde River | Eurobodalla | 2:390 |
| 2 | Gerard ‘Doody’ Dennis | Independant | Eurobodalla | 2:391 |
| 3 | John Yiannaros | Batemans Bay Oysters, Clyde River | Eurobodalla | 2:43 |
Women's Competition
| 1 | Sally McLean | Jim Wild’s Oysters, Greenwell Point | Shoalhaven | 3:04 |
| 2 | Sue McIntyre | Broadwater Oysters, Pambula Lake | Sapphire Coast | 3:32 |
| 3 | Jade Norris | Farm Gate on Wray Street, Clyde River | Eurobodalla | 3:33 |
2020
Men's Competition
| 1 | Gerard ‘Doody’ Dennis | Australia’s Oyster Coast | Eurobodalla |
| 2 | John Yiannaros | Batemans Bay Oysters, Clyde River | Eurobodalla |
| 3 | Jim Yiannaros | Batemans Bay Oysters, Clyde River | Eurobodalla |
Women's Competition
| 1 | Sally McLean | Jim Wild’s Oysters, Greenwell Point | Shoalhaven |
| 2 | Sue McIntyre | Broadwater Oysters, Pambula Lake | Sapphire Coast |
| 3 | Pippa Boyton | Merimbula Gourmet Oysters & The Oyster Barn, Merimbula Lake | Sapphire Coast |
2019
Men's Competition
| 1 | John Yiannaros | Batemans Bay Oysters, Clyde River | Eurobodalla |
| 2 | Greg Carton | Broadwater Oysters, Pambula Lake | Sapphire Coast |
| 3 | Gerard ‘Doody’ Dennis | Australia’s Oyster Coast | Eurobodalla |
Women's Competition
| 1 | Sue McIntyre | Broadwater Oysters, Pambula Lake | Sapphire Coast |
| 2 | Jade Norris | Farm Gate on Wray Street | Eurobodalla |
| 3 | Sally McLean | Jim Wild’s Oysters, Greenwell Point | Shoalhaven |
Proudly supported by Australia's Oyster Coast
