Harley Ingelby : photo Steve Robertson

Hyundai Malfunction Surf Festival

ASP World Longboard Qualifying Series
New Tweed Coast Qld Australia
21 - 29 March 2009

New Tweed Coast pumped for Malfunction 2009

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 2 December, 2008 : - - The Hyundai Malfunction Surf Festival is back on the New Tweed Coast in March 2009 – and is set for the biggest event in its 25-year history after securing a record sponsorship from Domain Casuarina Beach Resort and adding an array of new attractions.

The 2009 festival, with events to be held at Kingscliff and Domain Casuarina Beach Resort, has been extended from six to nine days and will encompass a wide range of surfing lifestyle events built around the five days of competition, which are a feature in the ASP Longboard Qualifying Series.

The expanded 2009 schedule follows on from the success of this year’s festival, which was held on the New Tweed Coast for the first time after relocating south from the Gold Coast. Event organiser, Sean McKeown, says the highly successful 2008 event demonstrates the New Tweed Coast’s support and the continued growth of this iconic longboard event.

“The decision to move Malfunction to the New Tweed Coast most certainly paid off,” he said. “We had a tremendous response from not only the national and worldwide surfing communities, but also from local Tweed residents and businesses.

“An economic impact study conducted by the Gold Coast Malibu Club indicated that an estimated 1,374 festival participants and attendees spent an average of $103 per day over the duration of the 2008 Hyundai Malfunction. “Accommodation levels also increased with interstate and international visitors spending approximately five nights and eight nights in the region respectively.

“The 2009 event looks to build on these results as we introduce a series of new fun events to get even more people involved in celebrating the lifestyle and culture long associated with the surfing fraternity. 

“We have been in discussions with organisers of The Noosa Festival of Surfing and as a result both events will now take place one after the other in a joint bid to attract more international and interstate surfers.”

Mr McKeown says that a number of key sponsorship agreements have already been garnered, including major 2008 sponsors, Hyundai and Domain Casuarina Beach Resort.

“I’m very pleased that Domain Casuarina Beach Resort has come back on board pledging a sponsorship package worth more than $30,000, as well as hosting a number of events at Casuarina Beach and providing accommodation specials for competitors and spectators,” he said. “It just goes to show the commitment key organisations and businesses have to the local region and communities.”

Don O’Rorke, chairman of developer Kings Beach and board member of Surfing Australia, says the 2009 Hyundai Malfunction is an ideal vehicle to promote the Tweed’s uncrowded beaches, legendary surfing pointbreaks and top class accommodation to a wide range of markets.

“Over nine days, the surf festival is expected to attract more than 300 competitors, a large contingent of spectators and inject in excess of $2 million into the local economy,” said Mr O’Rorke. “The New Tweed Coast has perfect surf conditions as well as the position to offer infrastructure such as top quality accommodation and world-class restaurants to keep competitors and spectators entertained.

“Casuarina Beach has a large surfing community, and many of the residents are keen to see the surf festival back on The New Tweed Coast.”

Taking place from 21 – 29 March, with surfing commencing on the 25th, the 2009 Hyundai Malfunction will encompass a number of open amateur and aged divisions for traditional surfers, a leg of the ASP World Longboard Qualifying Series for Men & Women, a Retro division for boards constructed prior to 1981 and the fast growing craze of Stand Up Paddle Surfing.

In addition, there will also be several events staged out of the water including the Domain Casuarina Beach Resort Art Exhibition, a Luau Dinner to be held at Casuarina Beach, a Surf Vehicle Rally, live music and beach movies.

Previous reports:
# 1 : Coming soon
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

www.malfunction.com.au

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Cassie Jones/Sean McKeown

Longboard - Surfersvillage