Sports on show at CoastOut

It’s a little over a month until CoastOut returns to Coffs Harbour for a second year, with three days of fun in the sun planned for October 28 – 30.

Two of the festival’s most popular events, the Beach Carnival and the Unreal Surf Competition, will again be the focus of the celebrations.

The Unreal Surf Comp will be held on the morning of October 29, with a professional team of organisers, commentators and accredited judges from Surfing NSW. The competition is mobile and will take advantage of the best surfing conditions to be found around Coffs Harbour.

There will be three divisions: open women, open men, and open longboard. The winner in each division will pick up $500 cash plus prizes.

CoastOut supports the development of the sport and encourages ‘out’ surfers and their friends to enter the competition. Members of the Gay Surfers group are already planning to compete.

To register, email [email protected] All competitors receive a CoastOut competition T-shirt, and winners will be celebrated on-stage at the CoastOut Fair Day on October 30.

Also on Saturday, the Beach Carnival at Jetty Beach will host to events including an ocean swim, fun run, beach sprints and beach games. Keen sportspeople can get involved with the more serious events, but there’s something for everyone — lighthearted activities include sand modelling, handbag throwing and frisbee.

Finally, nurse your post-party hangover with Barefoot Bowls and Brekky at the Park Beach Bowling Club from 9am on October 30. This ACON fundraiser will be a relaxed morning ahead of Fair Day, with chilled-out tunes from Sydney’s DJ Box and lanes allocated to bowlers.

CoastOut’s sporting events depend on the involvement of both the eager locals and people who’ve travelled to Coffs Harbour for the weekend.

“It’s all about participation — if you can keep yourself afloat or go for a run, we’d love you to be a part of it,” festival organiser Todd Buttery said.

“Participation and inclusion are the key elements of these events.”

INFO: www.coastout.com.au