It took months to prepare and more days to pack away but the NSW State Surf Lifesaving titles at Kingscliff have been hailed as a massive success.
More than six thousand competitors and thousands more supporters flocked into Kingscliff during the 10 days of competition held from Kingscliff through to Fingal.
“They have been a great success,” Tweed mayor Barry Longland said of the event.
“I was down there at lunch time on the final day and I got some really good feedback from officials and competitors about the event.
“They spoke highly of the event and the area.”
He said he hoped the competition would bring return business into the district in the future with competitors and officials returning.
Kingscliff Chamber of Commerce president Dennis Eyre, who also officiated throughout the event, said it had been very positive, particularly for the local accommodation providers.
“Mantra, Peppers and Peppers Bale reported 100 per cent occupation throughout the two weekends,” he said.
“I spoke to other accommodation venues and real estate agents who also said they were booked out for the two weekends
“There were competitors and their parents who actually stayed for the whole 10 days.
“But what we need now is repeat business.”
Mr Eyre said it was interesting to see that a lot of groups that had chosen to stay outside of the Tweed for last year’s event moved locally this time.
“Yes, that was the other thing I noted – North Avoca, for example, stayed at Coolie last year but this time they stayed here on the Tweed.
“Quite a few of the groups that stayed on the Gold Coast last year wanted to stay closer to the action this time and enjoy what we had to offer down here.”
Mr Eyre said he was confident that the event had been of benefit to the region.
He said he had spoken to one family with three teenaged girls who had stayed for the whole 10 days.
“When I asked them for a ball-park figure of what they had spend they said $4000,” he said.
“It cost them $2000 for accommodation and when they went out for dinner it was $200 and $60 in groceries if they ate in. The girls also went shopping in the local clothes stores.
“Two officials I know of from last year actually came and bought property here either as an investment or for their retirement.”
Six thousand competitors took part in the Championships hosted by the Cudgen Headland SLSC and the Tweed Shire Council over the last 10 days.
The Championships have been held in the Tweed for the past two years, the Championships head south to the Central Coast for the next two years.
