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Entries growing for region’s biggest senior surf competition Wavefest scheduled for June long weekend

Calvin SimsAlbany Advertiser
Jefferson Doil rides a wave in last year’s event.
Camera IconJefferson Doil rides a wave in last year’s event. Credit: Laurie Benson/Albany Advertiser

The region’s biggest surfing event, Wavefest, will return next weekend and there has already been strong competitor interest in the annual senior competition.

Plenty of entries have already been received for Wavefest, run by the Albany Boardriders, when nominations opened last week.

Numbers are already strong in the open men, open women, over-30 women and over-35, over-45 and over-55 men’s divisions.

Wavefest will be run on the long weekend, June 4-6 with a location to be decided next Friday before the first day of competition.

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Albany Boardriders president David Beeck said this year’s event is shaping up to be another popular hit among local surfers.

Darren Oostdam.
Picture: Laurie Benson/Albany Advertiser
Camera IconDarren Oostdam carves it up. Credit: Laurie Benson/Albany Advertiser

“It’s only been open for a few days and there’s been a lot of entries already so it’s looking good,” he said.

“We had to turn it off last year (entries) because there were just too many people trying to get in there, especially with the open men’s; we cut it off at 24 just because we don’t have the time to run all the heats we need to.

“The defending champion Daniel Bolt has already entered and he also took out the over-35s last year as well. We’ve got some great sponsorship with some great prizes like wetsuits and a bunch of other prizes.

“Unfortunately I couldn’t enter last year because I had a knee operation but I’ll have a crack this year.”

Bolt broke through for his maiden Wavefest crown in the open men’s division last year while Pemba Spargo made it back-to-back wins in the open women’s category.

Zephyr Simmonds.
Picture: Laurie Benson/Albany Advertiser
Camera IconZephyr Simmonds at wavefest last year. Credit: Laurie Benson/Albany Advertiser

Beeck said though the location was yet to be announced, there were a number of potential spots for the competition.

“It’s too far out to tell now but it could be one of five places, maybe Nanarup or Mutton Bird, Denmark or Ocean Beach where swell really carries,” he said.

“We’re still a bit iffy about whether we’re going to run a canteen or not just with COVID numbers.

“With the junior Wavefest this year, we just had baked goods instead of a barbecue but we’ll keep our eye on numbers and see how we’re going from there.”

Entries close on Sunday at 11pm. To register, visit albanysurf.com.

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