The Professionals Weekend of Surf is bringing lifesavers to Main Beach, Forster over the long weekend for the 23rd year.
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The weekend kicks off with a social gathering on Friday night, September 28 from 5pm at the surf club before Saturday sees the Ironman commencing at 9am sharp.
This will be followed by the beach events of flags, sprints and relays.
On Sunday the program commences with the iconic March Past event at 8.30am, moving on to all the usual water events; swim, board, ski and taplin relay in age categories from under nine to masters in the over 50 age group.
Finally, the three person board relay will take place. This event has grown in popularity over the last few years.
Richard Crowther and Darrell Roche of the Professionals Forster Tuncurry are major carnival sponsors for the 11th year.
“It is fantastic to support Forster SLSC in its endeavours to meet its commitments to patrolling our beaches and that this carnival also provides a significant economic stimulus to the area,” Richard said.
“The carnival is always well run and the attitude of competitors, officials and spectators is first class.
“Surf lifesaving in general provides positive outcomes for member development and meeting the community’s needs and is something that the Professionals Forster Tuncurry highly values.
“We have also got on board further as we realise the value of the IRB in rescue situations and are pleased to significantly contribute to the purchase of two Thundercat II IRB’s for the club.
“We are expecting good numbers with current champions Cooks Hill, looking to make it back to back titles with previous multi winners Umina along with 2016 champions, Manly, Newport, South Maroubra, Wanda, Shelley Beach, Queenscliff and Bronte with plenty of competitors and high expectations ready to challenge for overall champion club.
“Regular clubs, Soldiers Beach, Terrigal and Swansea Belmont are rolling up with good numbers.”
Overall, we envisage approximately 350 competing in the Ironman event on Saturday and Sunday dependent on the weather, with late entries possibly in excess of competitors.
The amazing thing is the variety of clubs competing with as many as 40 clubs from Wollongong to Currumbin on the Gold Coast making the trek to Main Beach.
More than 90 per cent of competitors come from outside our local government area and this provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase the Great Lakes to many visitors, many of whom stay three to seven nights.
On a local level, all six Lower North Coast surf lifesaving clubs will have competitors entered from under nine to masters categories.
Many will utilise the event to push for the opportunity to represent the Lower North Coast in the State inter-branch championships to be conducted in December at Blackhead.
Our thanks to MidCoast Council and Ken Oliver and his team who will have the beach graded and raked to ensure a great competition arena but also it will be fantastic for spectators to view from Beach Bums and the promenade above.
We welcome all competitors and visitors to our competition and especially in advance thank our carnival officials led again by Bernadette Nicholson in charge for without our band of officials both local and visiting the event would not occur.
For Forster members much help is required to conduct the event so please see Bruce Higgs, Dave Keating, there is a job for everyone.
For entries please let Beth Lee know on 65552227 if you have not as yet entered.