For the next 12 days, Coolangatta and surrounds will become “Surf City”, with the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Surf Competitions hitting town this week.
The 2013 events will launch today ahead of the official start of competition on Saturday. This year’s event will have special significance for the local area, with both the men’s and women’s world champions, Joel Parkinson and Stephanie Gilmore, coming from this region. Both will be looking to get off to good starts on their home break.
And of course not only does the event attract the best male and female surfers in the world, but also thousands of visitors from all over the planet.
According to Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce president Gail O’Neill, the events are the perfect way to showcase this area.
“It is estimated that surfing contributes $3 billion to the Gold Coast economy,” Ms O’Neill said.
“Surfing is very important to economic develop-ment in the area.”
She said it was good to see Gold Coast working with local surf groups, including the newly formed
‘Surf Council’, which is acting as the official voice for the surfing community in the city.
The initiative, which began with a record number of representatives in December, is planning to create a template for other surf cities to follow internationally.
The move is seen as the beginning of formalising surfers into a collective to address a number of regional issues, beginning with a ‘Surf Management Plan’.
The Gold Coast City Council was due to vote on a proposal this week, aimed at giving the surfing community a say in strategic decision making, by partnering with the Surf Council to create the world’s first city-wide Surf Management Plan.
The Gold Coast is regarded as the foremost surf city in the world, with over 90 per cent of the population identifying the beach as the most valuable lifestyle component.
Ms O’Neill applauded the move by the GC Council to look to create a Surf Management Plan and so protect what was a very important industry along the coast, but particularly down on the southern end.
She said the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro events were very well organised and run and were very important at showcasing this region and promoting it.
“You can’t buy the coverage we get. This event brings us not only national, but international recognition,” she said.
She said it was a boost to everyone in the area, from surf fans to business owners.
“And of course all the accommodation providers are very happy,” she laughed.
“In fact the only bad thing I ever hear is that there is no parking at Rainbow Bay.”
However she said surely not being able to park was the sign of an event that was very well supported.
