SUP stands for Stand Up Paddle, which has become a common sight on the water around the Great Lakes, and indeed elsewhere. The sport is now the focus of the inaugural LJ Hooker Forster Island Paddle Festival, which will take place over the weekend of February 14 and 15.

Event organiser Peter Camilleri took on the event after being approached by local retailer Jungle Surf and paddle board distributor Fanatic. The two companies were keen to showcase the region’s perfect location for the sport. Camilleri admits he knew nothing about SUP before taking it on.

“It’s certainly been a big learning curve,” he said.

SUP lends itself to bottom sand points and smooth waters. Focusing on core strength and balance, SUP is popular with both men and women, working every muscle in the body. Its origins are debatable and appear to date far back, but Hawaii is credited with its resurgence thanks to a long flat spell during the summer of 2000. The versatility of the sport, both in location and skill, has seen it become a fixture on the surfing scene for both amateurs as well as professionals.

The weekend of events in Forster will mostly run from the pontoon jetty on Forster’s Memorial Drive behind Wharf St. Live music will add to the festival atmosphere, which will feature SUP boarders at the top of their field both in Australia and worldwide. The Battle of the Paddle will be held from Forster’s Main Beach.

Events will include the existing Berg Building Forster Island Challenge, incorporating a stand-up paddle board event and a ski paddle race. Races over the two days will range from 200metres for the kids, through to 12km for those seeking a bigger challenge. Camilleri said the variety of distances has been organised to cater for both experienced and novice paddle boarders, making it a family friendly event. 

There will also be a corporate charity challenge relay on Sunday. All proceeds will go to major sponsor LJ Hooker’s longtime charity partner, Cystic Fibrosis. 

Camilleri, who also organises other sporting festivals in the area, once again praised local businesses for throwing their support behind another event in the area.  He said it will fill a massive void on the events calendar for Forster Tuncurry.

An expo near the jetty will also be held over the weekend exhibiting products, lessons, and SUP demonstrations.  To enter the event or for more information go to forsterislandpaddlefestival.com.au