Crown land holiday park hosts new surf event

The hottest teen surfing talent will have the chance to compete in a new competition to be hosted at a Crown land holiday park with the launch of the Reflections Holiday Parks Cadet Cup.

The new competition will be staged at the Bonny Hills’ Rainbow Beach park by Reflections, which manages Crown land holiday parks in NSW, and Surfest, the biggest surfing festival in Australia.

Minister for Sport, Lands and Property, Steve Kamper, said the collaboration between Reflections and Surfest was a milestone in nurturing and growing the talent pool of young surfers in NSW, and would boost regional tourism.

“Reflections is an experienced Crown land manager whose core focus is to preserve Crown land for the enjoyment of the people of NSW and visitors, and its partnership with Surfest, a renowned community and sporting organisation, will draw many surf enthusiasts to Bonny Hills and its surrounds,” Mr Kamper said. 

Reflections CEO Nick Baker said the Cadet Cup was an exciting initiative that would support youth through first-class surf competition and encourage people to get outdoors to enjoy the event, which will include food trucks and a live site.

“One of Reflections’ mottos is that ‘Life’s Better Outside’ and this is a fantastic partnership and event that will encourage people to do just that, watching all the action,” Mr Baker said. 

Surfest director Warren Smith said the Reflections Cadet Cup would allocate a prize purse of $3,900, with additional prizes for the finalists in all divisions.

“The event will offer points that determine the Surfing Australia ranking system, and its format will ensure no competitors will be eliminated in the first round,” Mr Smith said.

“We applaud Reflections' dedication to preserving the natural landscapes and waters of NSW and look forward to showcasing the exhilarating world of surfing to their visitors." 

Entries for the event are now open at Surfing Australia, with the event expected to draw around 70 boys and girls competing in Under 12s, 14s and 16s categories in competition on February 10 and 11

Reflections is also a sponsorship partner of the two-week Surfest competition held in Newcastle in March.