When I first heard about a Sunburn Competition happening at Shell Bay Beach, I laughed. I thought it was a joke. Who in their right mind would compete to get sunburned? But curiosity got the better of me, and on a scorching Sunday morning in late June 2025, I packed my camera, a gallon of SPF 50 (just in case), and headed to the beach. What I witnessed that day was one of the most bizarre, entertaining, and surprisingly educational events of the summer.

What is the Sunburn Competition?

At first glance, the idea seems absurd — a group of people gathering in one place to show off their worst sunburns. But the Sunburn Competition isn’t just about red skin and tan lines. It’s a tongue-in-cheek, part-comedic, part-educational event meant to raise awareness about sun safety, while also celebrating beach culture, body art, and the strange human ability to find fun in literally anything. The event originated in Australia about five years ago, where surfers and beachgoers would jokingly compare sunburns at the end of the season. It evolved into a full-blown contest with categories like “Most Creative Burn Pattern,” “Worst Tan Line,” and “Best Sunburn Costume.” The event has now spread to beach towns around the world — and this year, it made its debut in our corner of the world.

Arriving at the Scene

Shell Bay was already buzzing when I arrived at 9:00 a.m. There were beach umbrellas lined up like candy-colored mushrooms, families building sandcastles, and a dedicated stage area surrounded by tiki torches and surfboards. The competition wouldn’t officially begin until 11:00, but the crowd was already electric. The organizers, a fun-loving group of locals known as The Red Lobsters, were decked out in flamingo floaties and zinc-covered noses. “This isn’t just about burns,” said event coordinator Jessie Mendoza. “It’s about celebrating summer, poking fun at ourselves, and reminding everyone to take sun safety seriously — ironically, through the art of the sunburn.”

Contest Categories and Judges

There were five main competition categories:

1. Worst Sunburn of the Season
2. Most Artistic Tan Line
3. Sunburn Costume Showdown
4. Team Burn-off
5. “I Didn’t Know That Could Burn” Award

A panel of three judges sat at a shaded booth, sipping coconut water. They included a dermatologist (thankfully), a local lifeguard, and a tattoo artist — which made perfect sense later on.

Stories Behind the Burns

One of the things that made the event so memorable was listening to the stories behind the burns. A guy named Tommy, 26, lifted his shirt to reveal an angry red grid across his back. Turns out, he fell asleep on a camping chair with a mesh back. “I was out fishing and forgot to reapply,” he explained. The pattern was so distinct it looked like a waffle. Another participant, Leah, proudly walked onto the stage wearing a bikini with a dramatic sunburn outline of a butterfly stencil she had accidentally left on her stomach during a tanning session. “It was supposed to be temporary!” she laughed. Then there was Derek, who won the “I Didn’t Know That Could Burn” award. He had a crisp, red foot-shaped burn on his forehead — apparently the result of a drunken prank where someone rested their foot on his face while he sunbathed. The crowd roared with laughter.

Sunburn Costume Showdown: Where Creativity Meets Pain

If you think sunburns are ugly, you haven’t seen them turned into art. The most entertaining part of the day had to be the Sunburn Costume Showdown. Contestants leaned into the humor, turning their burns into creative masterpieces. One woman painted flames onto her red skin and called herself “Sunfire Queen.” A duo dressed as toast and butter, using their red bellies to simulate the “toasted” look. Another guy came as a lobster — not just in costume, but because his sunburn was that intense. But the winner? A redhead named Riley, who had meticulously shaved shapes into his chest hair, creating a flaming phoenix pattern that aligned with his sunburn. It was equal parts impressive and painful to look at.

Laughter, Learning, and a Lot of Aloe Vera

Despite the absurdity of it all, the underlying message was clear: the sun can be brutal, and skin health matters. Throughout the day, volunteers handed out free sunscreen, aloe gel, and pamphlets about skin cancer prevention. One booth even had a UV camera that showed the damage the sun can do, even when it’s not visible. “I come here every summer and used to think sunburns were funny,” said 34-year-old Emily, who was cheering from the sidelines. “But last year, I had a mole removed. This event actually opened my eyes. Now I laugh, but I also lather up.” It was this balance — the comedy and caution — that made the event feel unique. It wasn’t about encouraging unsafe behavior. Instead, it used humor to educate and connect.

The Crowd’s Role and Vibe

What stood out most to me was the energy. People of all ages, shapes, and backgrounds came together — not to mock, but to marvel. Families cheered. Dogs wore sunglasses. Someone handed me a piña colada in a pineapple cup. It felt like one big community roast… of ourselves. Music blasted from portable speakers: everything from Sublime to “Walking on Sunshine.” Food trucks sold fish tacos, shaved ice, and sun-themed cupcakes. Everyone was having fun — but not at anyone’s expense. In a world often divided, this was a rare display of unity through silliness.

Interview with the Winner

I managed to grab a few minutes with Connor Davies, the proud winner of the Worst Sunburn of the Season award. His back looked like a map of fiery continents, and he wore the pain with pride. “I was out at a music festival and forgot my shirt at the tent,” he said, chuckling. “It hurts like hell, but now I’ve got a trophy and a year’s supply of aloe vera. Worth it?” He winked. I’m still not sure if he was joking.

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Safety First, Fun Always

As the event wrapped up around 5:00 p.m., the announcer reminded everyone about the importance of skin checks, reapplying sunscreen every two hours, and wearing UV-protective clothing. The closing message was clear: laughter is great, but your skin is for life. Several participants promised to return next year — with better burns (or maybe better sunscreen strategies). I left the beach with a big smile, a sun hat, and a pocket full of SPF samples.

Final Thoughts: Why You Should Attend Next Year

If you ever get the chance to attend a Sunburn Competition, go. Not to get burned — but to witness one of the most hilariously human events out there. It’s a reminder that we’re all a little ridiculous, and that sometimes, the best way to learn is to laugh at ourselves first. Plus, where else are you going to see someone dressed as a sunburnt T-Rex doing a dance-off with a lobster?