The region’s premier surfing event is on the crest of a wave after securing a new partnership for its upcoming extravaganza.
Surfest and Reflections Holiday Parks will join forces yet again in 2023 following a four-year absence.
The alliance binds a shared commitment by both organisations to regional tourism, as well as a love of the great outdoors.
Surfest returns to action throughout Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens from 11 February to 26 March, with the World Surf League (WSL) recognised Men’s and Women’s Pro events to be staged at Merewether Beach.
The Reflections Holiday Parks’ sponsorship also enables the well-respected group to hold the official presenting rights across the four-week festival.
General manager of marketing and sales Peter Chapman said there was great value in aligning to such an iconic community event.
“Reflections Holiday Parks exists to connect people with nature, while growing tourism in regional NSW,” he explained.
“So, we are delighted to partner with Surfest in its 37th year.
“We’re looking forward to spreading the magic of the event throughout our beachside parks.
“We congratulate Surfest for hosting another world-class festival in our major heartland, while continuing to nurture local talent and elevate youth, Indigenous and women’s competitions.”
The collaboration opens a huge amount of opportunity to share surfing experiences across the 27 coastal Reflections Holiday Parks across NSW, too.
In the Hunter region alone, it operates venues at Jimmys Beach, Hawks Nest, Lake Glenbawn, Seal Rocks, Forster Beach and Tuncurry.
Surfest director Warren Smith is thrilled to see Reflections Holiday Parks return to the fold, after being a key partner of the High Schools Classic in 2018.
“To have them on board as the presenting sponsor for Surfest 2023 shows the confidence they have in the event,” he said.
“There is a lot of common interest between Reflections Holiday Parks and Surfest.
“We applaud their commitment to the lands and waters across NSW and are excited to showcase the surfing experience to their visitors.”
NSW Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin MLC said the partnership brought together two organisations, which welcomed more than 2 million visitors, combined, to regional NSW each year.
“Surfest reaches an audience of 3.9 million across 10 countries, attracts 26,000 people and injects $4.2
million into the Hunter’s economy,” he explained.
“Reflections Holiday Parks also generates $83.2 million in economic value for regional NSW annually, so this arrangement will deliver significant impact for NSW tourism.”
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