The longest running surfing event in Australian history, the Australian Surf Festival (ASF), will be returning to Port Macquarie, NSW for another three-year (2011-2013) term.
Following a very successful tenure at the beautiful coastal destination, Surfing Australia again awarded its State branch, Surfing NSW, with the event after a lengthy Tender process.
Adding to the event’s already high stakes will be the inclusion of the Australian Single Fin and Alaia Titles to the existing Australian Longboard, Shortboard and Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) titles.
The 2011 event will see in excess of 360 of the best male and female surfers from around Australia descend on Port Macquarie for the two-week festival, which will run from the August 14-27.
“This is truly an iconic event on the Australian surfing calendar and we’re looking forward to another successful three-year term in Port Macquarie,” said Surfing Australia CEO Andrew Stark.
“Full of prestige and history, the festival encapsulates high performance surfing as well as entertainment activities.”
Geoff Parmenter, CEO of Events NSW, is equally excited with the news.
“Events NSW is extremely pleased with the news that Surfing NSW and Surfing Australia have committed to holding the Australian Surf Festival in Port Macquarie for the next three years,” he said.
“The partnership between Surfing NSW, Port Macquarie Hastings Council and Events NSW has seen the Australian Surf Festival grow significantly since its inception in 2008 to become the biggest surfing festival in Australia and a true celebration of our iconic surfing culture. This vibrant Port Macquarie event plays an important role in regional NSW, driving tourism, creating jobs and delivering significant economic benefit to the region.”
Garry Payne, Administrator of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, said the announcement was great for the Port Macquarie community“In 2010, the Festival boasted live music, surf art, retro surf film screening and surf education courses as well as the inclusion of the Indigenous Surfing Program,” he said.
“As well as over 400 of the best surfers from around the country competing in the largest surfing event in Australia, this event has continued to grow in terms of sporting and cultural significance. From an economic point of view, more than $1.65 million is injected into the local economy each year.”
The Australian Surf Festival will see an expanded entertainment program in 2011 that will include live music, surf art, surf film screenings and an indigenous surfing program plus a host of additional activities still to be confirmed.
For more information about the Australian Surf Festival please visit www.australiansurffestival.com
