Three separate teams events will herald the start of the 2011 Noosa Festival of Surfing, presented by Global Surf Industries, with some insane surfing going down over the weekend March 11-12, ahead of the official opening ceremony at sunset on the Sunday.

Festival director Phil Jarratt said that a new-look celebrity teams event and an international club challenge would join the hugely popular Family Challenge. “Teams events are always a great crowd-pleaser and a wonderful way to get competitors wound up for the week ahead, so we’ve devised a couple of beauties.”

The International Clubs Invitational will feature 16 of the world’s leading longboard clubs up against each other in an action-packed event that will use a successive surfer format. Said Jarratt: “There’s been a lot of interest expressed already by clubs on both sides of the Pacific, and we think this is going to be a hotly contested event. This year we had Noosa versus Malibu, next year both those great club teams will be taking on 14 others.”

The Corporate Cup will be the major charity fundraiser of the festival, with companies around Australia invited to field a team. Each corporate team will have two staff members and a guest surfer, with the guests expected to number world and Australian champions and other celebrities.

The Family Challenge enters its third year at the Noosa Festival with parent/child combos from around the world hot to win the prestigious trophy.
Teams events will begin on Saturday, March 11, with the Corporate Cup expected to conclude that day, the Clubs Invitational concluding on Sunday and the first round of the Family Challenge ahead of the opening ceremony.

Entries will open for the Family Challenge early September. For information on any of these events, info@noosafestivalofsurfing.com, or phone 07 54735676.

When?

Saturday 12 March to Sunday 20 March, 2011

Where?

Surfing at First Point, Noosa (alternate site Access 12 Noosa West Beach). Entertainment venues beachside, to be advised.

What’s On?

Mens and women’s, boys and girls amateur longboard surfing over 12 age and open divisions; specialty events including noserider, finless, retro, old mal and stand up paddle; teams events including Champs for Charity, Family Challenge and International Clubs Challenge.

Out of the surf a full week of great surf-related family entertainment, including music, film, auctions and product launches.

How do I enter?

Use these links to enter online or download a form to fax or post.

Where should I stay?

Watch this site for our preferred accommodation list with the best deals in town. Coming soon.