Narooma Rocks is proud to deliver the Australian Oyster Shucking Championships each year at the Narooma Oyster Festival.

Held annually on the first Saturday in May, the Australian Oyster Shucking Championships celebrate one of the country’s most time-honoured culinary skills – shucking the Rock Oyster. Affectionately known as “the race that stops a festival,” the Championships draw thousands of spectators eager to witness the speed, precision and camaraderie of Australia’s best shuckers.

Competitors are timed as they open 20 Rock Oysters, then judged on presentation in the half shell. Penalties are added for cuts to the meat, shell fragments or breakage – and in true Australian style style, oysters must be severed cleanly and flipped.

The top three men and women advance to the finals, where they compete for trophies and the prestigious John Susman Medal which is awarded to the shucker with the best overall score. The Australian champion is invited to represent Australia at the World Oyster Opening Championships in Galway, Ireland, held each September as part of the Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival.