Festival of Surfing set to make waves in Geraldton

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Surf’s up: (Back) Dave Williams, City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Ian Carpenter, Bruce Montgomery, Brian Hood, Ben Mardon, (Front) Sam Salmond, Danny Williams and Rory Nelson.

Cowabunga! The Geraldton Festival of Surfing is about to make waves in the Midwest as the event hits the City for the very first time.

As part of an exciting partnership between the City of Greater and Surfing Western Australia, the Midwest will be put in the spotlight as an attractive surfing destination as five premier surfing events hit our coast.

Spanning from June to September, surfers will enjoy Geraldton’s ideal winter conditions at some of the City’s most iconic surf locations.

City of Greater Geraldton Deputy Mayor, Neil McIlwaine, said the event is set to showcase the best of local surfing talent as well as talent from around the state.

“We’re a hotspot for surfing here and the winter weather makes for perfect conditions,” he said.

“It’s an exciting partnership with Surfing WA and we hope this event is something we can continue into the future to line up with our strategic plans to enhance tourism and events which will have a positive economic overflow into our community.”

There will be a total of five events as part of the festival.

  • HIF Pro AM - June 20 and 21
  • WA Junior Series – July 18 and 19
  • SunSmart School Surfing Titles – August 3
  • Sunshine Surfmasters – September 5 and 6
  • Batavia Coast SUP Surf and Race – September 10 and 11

The Festival will kick off on June 20 and 21 with the final HIF Pro Am State Title event which will see 10 state champions crowned for 2015. 

The final round of the WA Junior Surfing Series will follow with WA’s brightest young surfers set to tackle the Midwest. The event is set to have a record turnout giving surfers an opportunity to compete against their friends and eventually reach the pinnacle of junior surfing.

The SunSmart School Titles also form part of the junior development pathway, with the first of the qualifying series historically held in Geraldton. Schools will travel from the North West and Midwest districts to compete.

The 39th WA Country Builders Sunshine Surfmasters is the oldest surfing event in the state. Built and developed over the years by the local Geraldton Boardrider Club, the event continually pushes the standard of competition and event delivery each year. It will attract some of the state’s top shortboard riders with its unrivalled history and prestige amongst the surfing community.

The final event of the Festival will be the inaugural Batavia Coast SUP and Race. With the rapidly increasing popularity of Stand Up Paddle Boarding, the event looks to have a range of surfers in both age and ability.

Surfing WA Events Manager, Justin Majeks, praised the Midwest and said it was an incredible time of year for surfing in the region.

“This new partnership will see the amazing waves and beaches around Geraldton utilised by some of the best surfers in WA,” he said.

“With such strong and well established grass roots clubs in the area the festival will continue to push and develop the sport of surfing in the Midwest.”

For more information on the event visit the City’s website at www.cgg.wa.gov.au