Move over Kirra and Snapper – it is Kingscliff’s turn to shine as the town hosts the Australian Longboard Surfing Open all this week – culminating in a Guinness Book Of Records attempt on Saturday and finals and presentations on Sunday.
More than 140 surfers from around the globe are set to go head to head in the event, considered one of Australia’s premiere long-boarding contests. But the event is so much more than just the big names, there will also be Stand-up Paddle board events, car displays, world record attempts and surfing for all ages.
Saturday sees the Beach Bar open in the Lions Park and bands begin to playing from 2pm. This year’s line-up features, Broadfoot, Matt Bruggy, Jason Kafoa, Fat Albert, The Real Deal and the Moomoo Pappa.
The contest showcases some of the world’s best men including current world champion Taylor Jensen, former world champion Harley Ingleby, multiple Australian Champion Jackson Close and women longboarding superstars from Japan, Taiwan, Brazil, Hawaii and of course our own Australian champions.
Former three times event champion, former Australian Title Holder and defending nose riding champion Dane Pioli is pumped up to get back to the event that he has had so much success with in the past.
“I’m so excited for this year’s event! I’m looking forward to catching up with everybody and also pumped to try and get a 4th title. Bring it on!” Said Piolo.
Rounds 1 and 2 for both the Men’s premiere ASP LQS Open and the Cancer Institute ASP LQS Women’s will run on Wednesday. Forecasters are calling for a very contestable 2ft+ swell which is likely to build later in the week.
And while some of the focus is on the well-known competitors, the Longboard Open also focuses on more amateur competitors of all ages as well as the Longboard Surf culture from a variety of things for the kids to do and a surf movie premiere at Cinemax tonight.
There will also be a Guinness World Record Attempt for the most surfers riding the same wave on Saturday. The event is open to all surfers no matter their skill level and is a fun event.
On Sunday Lions Park in Kingscliff will play host to Shannons Classic and Surf Vehicle Show and Shine. For surfers, cars are a vital piece of ancillary equipment. Surfers have always used whatever they could get paws on to get them to the beach. From ‘38 Ford’s, to the Woody, from 64 EH Holden’s to mums taxi. All have been the symbol of surf transportation. Here will be a display of super cool rides that will take pride of place in a specially reserved parking area in Kingscliff. Assemble southern end of the Lions Park Kingscliff 9am Sunday 24. A registration fee of $10 will apply with proceeds being donated to the Disabled Surfers Association.
Registration forms can be down loaded from the Australian Longboard Surfing Open website www.australianlongboardopen.com or you can register on the day. A registration fee of $15 will apply with all participants receiving an event T-Shirt and proceeds being donated to Surf Aid International.
