SUCCESS
FOR INAUGURAL KIRRA SURFSTOCK FESTIVAL
The inaugural Kirra
SurfStock presented by Connecting Southern Gold Coast and in association
with Kirra Surf and local business was a total success. Spread over the 4
nights and three days of Surf, Music, Movies, Art and Lifestyle events, the
Festival was totally blessed with sunny weather, pumping waves, big crowds
and has set the scene for a successful annual event.
World title contenders Joel Parkinson and Mick Fanning made their presence
felt on Friday morning at Kirra for a Live SEAFM radio outside broadcast
with special guests Bob McTavish author of “Stoked”, new General Manager of
Surfrider Foundation Kristy Theissling, movie man Tim Bonython and
Surfer/Musician Lucas Proudfoot of Max Judo. McTavish launched his book at
Kirra Surf signing 75 copies on Friday afternoon at the iconic retail store.
The Friday Night Surfrider Foundation Fundraiser at the Kirra Surf Club was
a huge success attended by surfing tribal elders and Australian Founding
members of SRF such as Rusty Miller, Doug “Claw” Warbrick and Tim Baker. The
“Legends” night featured a thoroughly entertaining evening with Bob
McTavish, a tribute to the late Hypnotist Ronricco by Mark Anthony and the
Dan Hannaford and Dave Murray Band. A memorabilia auction with some great
Michael Peterson collectible items together with ticket sales raised over
$5000 for Surfrider Foundation.
The weekend forecast of showers loomed ominous, however Saturday dawned with
sunshine and the waves pumped at D-Bah for the JR Surfboards Kirra SurfStock
Junior Teams. 16 clubs from Noosa to Ballina including an all Girls Team
competed in an intense one day club battle. In the end Cabarita Boardriders
came up trumps claiming the $1000 for 1st place and a beautiful timber
trophy from Jason Williams winning their first team’s event by one point
from the Alley Boardriders in second, Snapper and Burleigh were locked on
equal points for third with Snapper getting the nod for third after a
countback.
The Caba crew dedicated their win to one of their members Sam Ford who would
have competed but has been in a coma for the last month after a punch to the
head in Coolangatta. The Ford Family has kept a bedside vigil praying that
Sam will regain conscious and the clubs win has given them hope.
Tim Bonython’s Jim Beam ASMF outdoor movies at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
was a huge success with families bringing their own chairs and pillows to
watch the epic surf vision under the stars without a drop of rain. The Grand
Night at the Currumbin Surf World Surf Museum was just as successful with
special guests Rusty Miller talking about the History of Surfing and Darren
Handley discussing his shaping relationship with Mick Fanning.
Meanwhile at Café Le Monde, Kirra Surf, Beau Young and Matthew Pitts
entertained with their musical prowess.
Sunday's Big Day at the Beach kicked off with a spirited 7k walk from
Currumbin to Kirra dedicated to the late Denis Callinan while GC Lifeguard
James, “Billy” Watson powered home to take out the Greenline SUP race. The
Beach Markets with a surf/art theme were a huge hit, the beach volley proved
to be super popular; the Miss SurfStock entrants were sensational with Sunny
Coasts Danielle Voller crowned the winner and then the sunny soaked
afternoon kicked on with the 9 Bands playing for free in front of the Kirra
Surf Club.
Many thanks to Dan Hannaford and Dave Murray Band, GAS, Minus Equilibrium,
Cupids Bullet, Tokyo Beef, Isaac Paddon and the Tides, Genes, Birdie and the
Quiet Excitement and Max Judo. The Kirra SurfStock raised nearly $8,000 for
charity with the beneficiaries being Surfrider Foundation, Kirra Surf Club,
Kirra Surfriders and Kirra Point Inc.
Organizers are now planning next year's event in earnest and wish to avoid
clashing with any other events by establishing their dates early and next
years Kirra SurfStock Festival will be tentatively planned from the 25th -
31st of October, 2010. Thanks again to all those who showed up and enjoyed
the show and look forward seeing you all again next year.
For more info check out
www.kirrasurfstock.com.au