Following a hugely successful carnival which saw nearly 1,000 competitors from across WA converge on Ocean Beach, Denmark over the 2019 Australia Day long weekend, Surf Life Saving WA have announced that they will return to Denmark as the site of their 2020 SunSmart Country and Masters championships next February.
Surf Life Saving WA (SLSWA) President Craig Smith-Gander said the success of the 2019 Country Carnival, the largest held in recent years, demonstrated the capacity of the club and town to host a sporting event of this scale, as well as the desire of the members to travel to a regional location like Denmark for events.
“Earlier this year our members enjoyed some fantastic conditions at Ocean Beach as we brought our country carnival to town, and we are excited to be coming back for what will no doubt be another exceptional weekend of surf sports on our south coast,” said Mr Smith-Gander.
“This will be the first time we have hosted our country and masters championships out of the metropolitan area, and the first regionally based championships since Bunbury played host to our senior event in 1990.
“We are excited to take this event to the regions, demonstrating their importance in the growth of our wonderful movement,” he said.
To be held over the Labour Day long weekend of 29 February – 1 March, the country and masters championships traditionally draw in excess of 650 athletes and see competitors battle it out across two days of competition and a range of events including the iconic ironman event, ski, board and surf boats.
In addition to the championships, SLSWA will also host a senior carnival, including surf boats, open to competitors from all clubs, providing another opportunity to participate in a state level competition, with the possibility of good surf conditions, just 4 weeks out from the 2020 SunSmart WA Championships.
Shire of Denmark CEO Bill Parker said they were thrilled that the Denmark Surf Life Saving Club had been chosen to host the 2020 championships at Ocean Beach.
“The choice is testament to the club’s calibre and Denmark as a destination, given that this is the first time the championships will be held in a regional town.
The event will bring great economic benefits for tourism providers and local businesses and reinforces our commitment to supporting events that foster a healthy and safe community.”
Denmark Surf Life Saving Club President Jane Kelsbie said the club were delighted that Denmark had been chosen as the first regional location to host the championships, adding that they would certainly be looking to make the most of their home town advantage.
“As Surf Life Saving WA move to hold these championships outside of the metro area, we are delighted that the success of our country carnival earlier this year, which brought some 1,000 WA surf lifesavers and their families to our town, has meant that they will be returning and we look forward to Ocean Beach once again serving up some challenging and exciting conditions”.
Mr Smith-Gander expressed his appreciation to the Shire of Denmark for their support of both the Denmark Surf Life Saving Club and SLSWA, in bringing this event to Denmark.
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For further information, please contact; SLSWA Media T: (08) 9207 6666 / 0408 901 959 E: media@slswa.com.au
