GSI Noosa Festival of Surfing
Presented by Goldenbreed

Noosa, Queensland
15 - 22 March 2009

GSI Noosa Fest to host the Firstlight 5k SUP paddle race

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 9 February, 2009 : - - In keeping with the tremendous surge in popularity of stand up paddling as a fitness activity, the Global Surf Industries Noosa Festival of Surfing presented by Golden Breed this year introduces a 5-kilometre race from Lions Park on the Noosa River to First Point.

The race, which takes in still water, the Noosa Bar and a triangular course across Laguna Bay, will be held from 3pm on Sunday, March 15, the festival’s opening day, prior to the official Hawaiian opening ceremony and blessing of the waters. Festival director Phil Jarratt said he expected to be flooded with entries when the entry forms are posted on the festival website this weekend.

“With $1000 cash and prizes on the line over three divisions, some paddlers are going to be taking this very seriously, “Jarratt said, “but our main goal is to have a fun event and a great spectacle to launch the festival. Sunday 15 is designated ‘waterman’s day’ and we’ll be having some amazing exhibition and celebrity events leading into the Firstlight SUPS.” 

The Noosa Festival introduced an ocean paddle race last year, but Jarratt said the focus had been changed this year to make it more of a family event. “Over this short but challenging course we’re going to see a lot of mums, dads, kids and whole family groups having a go, and that’s what our festival is really all about. Already some of the best stand up paddlers from around the world have indicated they’ll compete, so if you’re just starting out, what a blast to paddle up the river with your heroes.”

Stand up paddle surfing, invented by the Waikiki beach boys so that they could take tourist photos while surfing more than half a century ago, is the fastest growing surfing sector in the world, with SUPS sales helping counter the recession for many manufacturers.

Previous reports:
# 1 : GSI Noosa Festival of Surfing streamlines for March '09
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

www.noosafestivalofsurfing.com

What's your take on this?
Post your thoughts: SV Forum

New Survey: Map Surfing’s future 

More Australasian Surfing News available here
Check the latest Australasian Surf Reports and Forecasts

New! B2B News ASBE-Surf   |  Receive News-Alerts

Trudy Croad

Festivals - Surfersvillage