Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 22 February, 2006 : - - One of Newcastle’s favourite sons Luke Egan will be special guest of honour at the Vodafone Surfest Ball to be held at Wests Leagues Club in New Lambton, Newcastle on Saturday, April 8.

Surfing’s biggest night of the year will celebrate Egan’s professional surfing career and will be attended by the movers and shakers of the surfing industry as well as international competitors and Luke’s many local friends.Just before the final of the 4-star World Qualifying Series Vodafone Open on Sunday April 9, Luke will hit the water with a group of his personally invited friends to thrill spectators with a free surfing display in an expression session.

Expect to see some of the biggest names in the surfing world hit the water to give spectators and Luke an afternoon to remember forever. Egan consistently finished at the top end of the ratings of the world championship tour throughout his career, with the highlight being his number two placing in 2000. Now based on the Gold Coast in his new role as a marketing boss with global surf giant Billabong, the man they call “Big Louie" announced his retirement last September in France after 21 years of blitzing barrels from Bali to Biarittz.

In the characteristically modest manner for which he is well regarded throughout the surfing world, Egan said he was “genuinely honoured that an Australian surfing institution has deemed me suitable for a tribute evening.”“When it was first suggested to me it was a bit eerie, like being invited to your own wake.“But seriously, I thought this kind of stuff only happens to people like MR (referring to Merewether mate, Vodafone Surfest patron and four-time world champion Mark Richards) so it is fantastic to be considered as part of such esteemed company,” said the 36 year-old.

“I am sure there will be a few jokes at my expense and there will be a laugh for sure. But if we  can raise some money for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)on the night through the memorabilia auction then that will be the most important thing,” Egan said.

Hosts for the evening will be the talented and amusing duo of John Shimooka and Wayne Dart. Entertainment will be provided by popular local act Fish Fry, who pride themselves on their ability to make people “sweat and forget who they are” with their energetic jump-jive and swing blues derived sound.

The quarter finalists of the Vodafone Open presented by Billabong will be introduced to the audience just hours before they do battle in the following day’s man-on-man finals.

Limited tickets will be available from Wests Leagues Club from February 24. Individual cost is $110 or $1100 for a table of ten (including GST). Cost includes pre-dinner drinks, dinner and beer and wine. West Leagues can be contacted on (02) 49351200.  Book early to avoid disappointment as this event is destined to be a sell-out.

www.surfest.com
www.billabong.com

Previous reports:
# 1 : Vodafone sponsors Australias largest festival of surfing 
# 2 : Surfest announce man-on-man format at WQS contest 
# 3 : Surfest announce Snap off the Lip surf film competition
# 4 : Wildcards announced for Surfest Vodafone Open 2006 

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For more information:

Vodafone Australia / Georgina Murphy, 
georgina@pulsecom.com.au 

Cynthia Fernandez / Vodafone Australia,
cynthia.fernandez@vodafone.com

Billabong Australia
Simon Barratt, 
sbarratt@billabong.com.au

Surfest / Paul Scott 
surfestmedia@iinet.net.au 

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