Blades out. Game on.
Skill. Speed. Plating. The Australian Oyster Shucking Championships is one of the most unique races in the world.
Shuckers must be both fast and tidy – and it’s not just the Australian titles at stake – the winner is invited to compete at the World Oyster Opening Championships!
Heats determine the finalists, where 30 Rock Oysters must be shucked, the adductor cut, the oyster flipped and presented in the bottom shell. Time penalties are added for less than perfect presentation, such as shell grit or a cut to the oyster. If the shucker cuts themselves and leaves blood on the oyster? Disqualification.
In 2023 we introduced the John Susman Medal, an honour presented to the best shucker and an invitation to represent Australia at the World Oyster Opening Championships in Ireland in September.
The Medal recognises John’s longstanding support of the festival, his participation as an oyster sommelier and race commentator, his connections with the growers and his deep knowledge of oysters and seafood.
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: Presentation
2025
Greg Carton, of Broadwater Oysters (Pambula Lake), was crowned the Australian Champion after emerging from an impressive field of 15 veteran shuckers. Carton delivered an outstanding ‘perfect plate’ achieving the rare feat of zero penalties.
He represented Australia at the World Oyster Opening Championships in Galway, Ireland, in September facing the famously tricky native Galway Flat, a species far different from our native Rock Oyster. While he didn’t reach the top three, Greg embraced the global stage, using the experience to learn about different species and cultivation techniques while building new industry connections and friendships.
Thank you to our Competition Official Cath Peachey, judges Simon Marnie (Food journalist) & Corey Costelloe (20Chapel); and timekeepers Joe Zappia (Sydney City Oysters), James White (Olsson’s Salt) and Jules Crocker (Joto Fresh Fish).
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 |
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 |
2024
Gamilleroi and Walgett Man Gerard Doody Dennis, claimed his second title in a row (and his fourth overall!) from a field of shuckers so impressive even he was nervous.
Sue McIntyre of Broadwater Oysters claimed the Women’s Oyster Shucking Championships.
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
