The Lancelin Ocean Classic, a world renowned windsurfing event, started as a Lancelin Chamber of Commerce project with humble beginnings in 1986 with a few enthusiastic windsurfers and a handful of competitors for a one-day event, the Ledge to Lancelin Ocean Marathon. The event is now run over four days, with three disciplines of the sport. The first two days, Thursday and Friday consist of Wave sailing, Saturday the Marathon and Sunday slalom.

The marathon is a down wind course of approximately 25 kilometres and over the years has seen from 200 to 400 starters, many entering just to try to complete the gruelling course. Wave sailing is the more spectacular discipline with over 70 competitors sailing in four man heats trying to out manoeuvre each over with the highest aerials or radical wave riding. Slalom is high speed racing, with speed, jibing and accuracy being the winning qualifications.

The Lancelin Ocean Classic is the most prestigious and longest running windsurf event in Australia. Competitors and spectators come from all over the world. The event attracts 3000 to 5000 visitors to Lancelin. Windsurfing and the Lancelin Ocean Classic are a major tourism asset for the town and West Australia. International competitors from Colombia, British Virgin Islands, Canada, America, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Austria, Scotland, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, England, France and Japan all take part in this internationally recognised event. Many of the International competitors are ranked in the top five in their home countries.