(Port Macquarie, NSW): AUSTRALIA’S national surfing titles continues to power on, with the country’s leading energy services corporation Country Energy today announcing their support of the third annual Country Energy Australian Surf Festival.
The holy grail of the Australian amateur surfing scene, which will run from 14-28 August at Port Macquarie on the New South Wales Mid North Coast, will see 350 of the best surfers from around the country competing for 24 prestigious national titles over three spectacular disciplines –longboard, open surfmasters and stand up paddleboard (SUP).
Country Energy's Regional General Manager Brian McLean said he’s happy to see the prestigious festival return to Port Macquarie for the third year in a row.
"The Australian Surf Festival provides an opportunity for Port Macquarie to have its own signature event and over the last two years the event is growing into a highlight on the annual calendar."
Brian further added, "Country Energy became involved with the Australian Surf Festival in Port Macquarie at the very beginning as it provided a great opportunity to showcase our great beaches and beautiful location to not only the surfing community but the rest of New South Wales."
Surfing Australia CEO Andrew Stark is equally excited about the upcoming tournament.
“This is truly an iconic event on the Australian surfing calendar,” said Stark. “Full of prestige and history, this year’s festival encapsulates high performance surfing as well as entertainment activities. We are all looking forward to another successful event in Port Macquarie.”
Minister for Major Events, Kevin Greene said the NSW Government through Events NSW is thrilled to support the Country Energy Australian Surf Festival, the biggest surfing festival in the country and a true celebration of the Australian surfing lifestyle.
“This vibrant Port Macquarie event plays an important role in regional NSW, driving tourism, creating jobs and delivering more than $720,000 in economic benefit to the region.
“The NSW Government is a keen supporter of surfing events with Country Energy Australian Surf Festival, Burton Toyota Surfest and the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic also listed on the NSW Master Events Calendar,” he said.
Garry Payne, administrator of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, is thrilled for the local community.
“Seeing so many different surfing events being held locally as part of the Country Energy Australian Surf Festival is great for our local community,” he said.
“Whether its surfing on a Longboard, shortboard or a stand up paddle board, the event will highlight our beautiful beaches and surfing conditions further enhancing our reputation as a major sporting and tourism event destination. I welcome the competitors and look forward to seeing some of the surfing action in all of its forms.”
But the approaching festival isn’t just about the surfing; it will tickle the taste buds of entertainment buffs with live music, surf art and photography, surf film screenings and surfing education courses confirmed for the two-week event.
For more information about the Country Energy Australian Surf Festival please visit www.surfingaustralia.com
Entertainment tickets are available online at www.glasshouse.org.au, by phone on 02 6581 8888 or at the Glasshouse Box Office – cnr Clarence and Hay Streets, Port Macquarie.
The 2010 Country Energy Australian Surf Festival is proudly supported by Events NSW, Port Macquarie Hastings Council, The Mercure Centro Hotel, Australian Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Sundowner Breakwall Tourist Park, the Glasshouse Arts, Conference and Entertainment Centre, Suncorp, Saltwater Wine Surf Centres, Australian Sports Commission, Coastalwatch, NBN Television, Port Macquarie News, Star FM, 2MC FM, Surfing Australia and Surfing NSW.
About Country Energy:
Country Energy is a leading Australian energy services corporation owned by the New South Wales Government, with around 4,500 employees serving more than 800,000 customers.
The utility manages Australia’s largest power supply network across 95 per cent of New South Wales’ land mass and offers retail electricity in six states and territories.
www.countryenergy.com.au
About Port Macquarie:
The NSW North coast – from the Hunter to the Northern Rivers, attracts over 60 per cent of all overnight trips during which visitors went surfing (source Tourism NSW). Port Macquarie is strategically located in the heart of this popular surf region. With our accessible surfing coastline for all skill levels, and our long established urban beach culture, we are in the perfect position to continue to grow our reputation as a premier surf destination, and securing the Country Energy Australian Surf Festival for the next three years is testament to this.
www.portmacquarieinfo.com.au
About Events NSW:
The NSW Government through Events NSW is building a world-class events program for Sydney and NSW. We use a fresh approach to partner with all levels of government as well as business, the community and the events industry to develop and bring the right kind of events to our city and our State. Our objective is to maximise the economic, strategic and community benefits of events.
www.eventsnsw.com.au
Media Contact:
Jake White
Surfing Australia
Ph: 0422 987 069
E: jake@surfingaustralia.com
Event Contact:
Peter Hunt
Surfing NSW
Ph: 0401 826 847
E: peterh@surfingnsw.com.au