THE 37th Merimbula Classic starts next Thursday 23rd November and runs for four action-packed days.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Officials said the event has grown this year and will feature all three major forms including wave sailors, kite surfers and stand up paddle (SUP) boarders from around Australia, as well as some visiting international talent.
About $50,000 in prizes will go off during the presentations on Sunday at Club Sapphire.
The kite surfing event has this year incorporated the Kiteboarding Australian Kite Nationals so kite surfers will be vying for the Australian Championship. This will greatly increase the competition amongst kite surfers.
There will be plenty of action on the water from Thursday to Sunday with morning briefings and daily competitions as well as free surfing across Merimbula’s Main Beach.
Competition organiser John Smythe said the SUP rounds would feature heavily in the mornings, while the kites and sailboarders head out as the wind picks up later in the day to provide an all-round spectacle.
“You’ll be treated to four days of non-stop action at Main Beach,” Smythe says.
“The mornings will see plenty of SUP action with team relay races on Saturday and Sunday morning.
“There will also be SUP foiling exhibition sessions each morning right at main beach.”
When the wind comes up around mid day kites and wave sailors will take to the waves and Merimbula bay will become a sea of colour sails and kites flooding the sky.
In a program provided to entrants, Smythe said “our aim is to feed you, entertain you, and get you out wave sailing, kite surfing or SUPping in the best winds and waves available over the four day extravaganza”.
There will be the ever-popular barbecue and Ragino coffee up for grabs each morning with the daily briefing at 10am at Main Beach.
The barbecue is open to the public and spectators are more than welcome to enjoy the events and cheer on the surfers throughout the event.
Smythe said as always there was also a busy social calendar for the horde of entrants.
A speciatly for the visitors – and the locals - is the “Taste of Merimbula” event on Friday night, which will feature a range of local delights and music from talented locals between 4pm and 9pm.
Also on the cards for Saturday night is a ‘Good Vibrations’ themed dance and music night at Club Sapphire with a special musical tribute performed by The Figmentz.
Registrations can be made on Thursday morning, while friends and partners can also nab shirt and barbecue entries as ‘non-competitors’
For any inquiries, contact John Smythe on abalone1@bigpond.com.