Surfing New South Wales

NSW Stand Up Paddleboard Titles

Port Stephens to stand up and be counted this weekend

Tuesday, 13 July 2010

Only days away, the inaugural NSW Stand Up Paddleboard Titles will hit the shores of Port Stephens this weekend.

With approximately 50 competitors competing for prestigious state titles and the opportunity to compete at the Australian Stand Up Paddleboard Titles, which will be held as part of the Country Energy Australian Surf Festival at Port Macquarie in August, spectators, competitors and event organisers are looking forward to what lies ahead.

One competitor who is happy to be competing in such a momentous event is number one seed Roger Saunders (Minnie Waters, NSW).

"I'm stoked to be involved in the inaugural event," Saunders said with a smile.

"It's great that Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is finally being officially recognised within NSW," he continued.

"There are a great core of competitors in NSW who will all be looking to take home the first ever SUP state title."

Having ridden a wave of popularity, across the globe, over the past decade, stand-up paddleboarding has etched its way firmly into the sphere of competitive and recreational surfing, culminating with this inaugural event.

The hybrid discipline, which takes inspiration from surfing, skiing, wakeboarding and skateboarding, continues to rapidly evolve and grow in popularity.

Having finished fifth at the inaugural Australian SUP Titles, at last year's Country Energy Australian Surf Festival, Saunders will be returning to the region where he was born and spent some of his childhood.

"I haven't been back for 30 years," Saunders admitted.

"So it's going to be a real pleasure to come back, compete and check out the area."

Recognised as one the finest surfing and tourist destinations on the NSW coastline, Port Stephens will provide the perfect backdrop for such a prestigious event with One Mile Beach the prime location for competition.

"Port Stephens is an excellent surf location and will provide the perfect venue for the State's best Stand Up Paddleboarders to strut their stuff," said Surfing NSW Operations Manager, Peter Hunt.

The NSW Stand Up Paddleboard Titles will be held on Saturday, 17 July 2010.

For more information be sure to visit www.surfingnsw.com.au.

The NSW Stand Up Paddleboard Titles is proudly supported by Port Stephens Council, Events Port Stephens, Business Port Stephens, Samurai Beach Resort and Surfing NSW.

About the Partnership

Business Port Stephens, the economic development unit of Port Stephens Council has an event arm, known as Events Port Stephens - and together, the two bodies work quietly and consistently behind the scenes with key sporting bodies to bring events to the region. They also work closely with the Sports Solutions team within Council.

Working on the back of the success of the Billabong Pro Junior in late 2008, Events Port Stephens and Surfing NSW have been discussing ideas and concepts that can work in Port Stephens, particularly utilising One Mile, Birubi and Fingal beach breaks. It is hoped the event can grow into the future with the addition of other Stand Up Paddleboard activities, such as coaching clinics, starter lessons, board demonstrations, Stillwater racing, coach training and familiarisation workshops.