Australian Surf Festival

Surfing NSW
Port Macquarie NSW Australia
16 - 30 August 2008

Country Energy announces the naming sponsorship of the Australian Surf Festival

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 9 July, 2008 : - - Port Macquarie -- Australia’s leading energy service’s corporation has today solidified their support of Australian surfing with the announcement of The Country Energy Australian Surf Festival.

Taking place at Port Macquarie, on the NSW Mid North Coast, from August 16 - 30 The Country Energy Australian Surf Festival will see 350 of the best surfers from around the country competing for prestigious national titles. Andrew Latta, Regional General Manager for the Port Macquarie Hastings area is excited about the prospect of supporting surfing and the local community via The Country Energy Australian Surf Festival.

"Country Energy is extremely happy with the announcement of The Country Energy Australian Surf Festival," said. "Country Energy is looking forward to working with Surfing NSW and Port Macquarie Hastings Council to create a signature event on the Mid North Coast," he said. For Mark Lane, CEO of Surfing Australia, the opportunity to be associated with Country Energy is a coup for surfing.
 
“Surfing Australia is flattered to be recognised by Country Energy and grateful for their support and involvement of surfing throughout the nation,” he said. “We are extremely excited about the prospect of The Country Energy Australian Surf Festival and are keen to see it grow and develop into an event of the highest standard.”
 
With 23 Australian titles to be awarded in 21 divisions, the Country Energy Australian Surf Festival will also see the Australian Longboard and Shortboard titles for the first time in 44 years of Australian competitive surfing history; making it the largest surfing event held in Australia. Also to be held in conjunction with the competitive surfing will be live music, surf art and photography exhibitions and other cultural offerings.
 
“Bringing back the festival aspect to surfing is something we are all really proud about and looking forward to achieving,” Lane said. To be held in Port Macquarie, on the stunning Mid North Coast of NSW, for the next three years, The Country Energy Australian Surf Festival will see continued support for the local Port Macquarie region, something which is pivotal for Country Energy.
 
"We are looking at forging a successful relationship with this prestigious event and excited about the long term prospects for the Port Macquarie region," Latta said. "Country Energy aims to add value to the communities in which we live through our support of local events and regional development opportunities, such as The Country Energy Australian Surf Festival,” Latta added.
 
"Country Energy is investing in the future of the electricity network and will spend approximately $60 million over the next 12 months across the Mid North Coast to improve reliability of supply and ensure we can meet the demands of our growing region."
 
Glen Caldwell, Sports Development Manager of Port Macquarie Hastings Council, can also see the positive impact that The Country Energy Australian Surf Festival will have on the local community. “We have estimated the local economic impact of The Country Energy Australian Surf Festival to be quite substantial with approximately $2 million to be invested through the local economy during this time,” he said.
 
“An event of this calibre also brings positive exposure for the region into new markets and provides the local community the opportunity to witness high end level of sport.” For more information on The Country Energy Australian Surf Festival visit surfingaustralia.com or surfingnsw.com.au 
 
The Country Energy Australian Surf Festival is proudly supported by Country Energy, Events NSW, Port Macquarie Hastings Council, Greater Port Macquarie Tourism, Oxbow, Na Papa Surfboards, Town Green Inn, HW Boutique Motel, Sundowner Breakwall Tourist Park, NBN, Australia’s Surfing Life Magazine, Australian Longboarding Magazine, Sydney Weekender, Coastalwatch, The Little Brewing Company, Surfing Australia and Surfing NSW.

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Country Energy Australian Surf Festival
Michael Tyrpenou
michaelt@surfingnsw.com.au

The Country Energy Australian Surf Festival Event Contact
Peter Hunt
peterh@surfingnsw.com.au

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