LANCELIN Chamber of Commerce and Industry will manage the coastal town’s annual wave sport event next year, adding more activities and competitions.
The chamber will rename and expand the Lancelin Ocean Classic, which is entering its 34th year, as the eight-day Lancelin Ocean Classic Festival for 2019.
The festival will take place from Saturday, January 5 to Sunday, January 13 with three adrenaline-charged days of wave sport competitions, including the 25.62km Ledge Point to Lancelin windsurfing race.
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READ NOWOrganisers have also launched it as an ‘Experience the thrill’ eight-day program to include a range of summer activities to suit the wider public.
Competition will include events for windsurfing, kitesurfing, stand-up paddle boarding, jet skis, dragon boats and a beach run, which will be on January 11 to 13.
Registrations for each event are open via www.lancelinoceanclassic.com.au.
There will be live streaming of the wave sport competitions via a CCTV screen in Lancelin so spectators can watch the action.
An event village will provide food and refreshments, family-friendly activities, and free live music on the Friday and Saturday nights.
It will also include a laser skirmish, children’s fishing session and fishing competition, and a family quiz night.
To help kick off the festival, the Shire of Gingin will hold its annual Party in the Park on January 5.
For the past three years, organisation of the Lancelin Ocean Classic was contracted to an external event management company.
However, on completion of their contract last year, a decision was made to bring management of the event back into the Lancelin community.
“We are fortunate to have some very talented, passionate people and businesses come on board to help us organise the festival this year,” chamber president Mal Lobb said.
“We are also hoping to attract an outstanding number of local, state, national and international competitors for each of the wave sport events, as well as providing a fun festival experience that will appeal to visitors and showcase our special coastal town.”
The State Government is sponsoring the Lancelin Ocean Classic Festival through Tourism WA’s Regional Events Program, and other sponsors include the Shire and Bendigo Bank.
The Lancelin Ocean Classic has held the Guinness World Record for being the longest windsurf race since 2008.