Kids embrace Kaos in Anglesea

A RECORD 450 kids and adults turned out this weekend at the Kids Adventure Outdoors (KAOS) event, in Anglesea, all in the name of getting more active in the outdoors.
Kids, parents, grandparents and carers fanned out across Anglesea’s environs to enjoy a line-up of 21 mountain biking, stand-up paddle boarding, and trail running.
Fishing, estuary discovery and junior ranger activities taught children about living nature, while recreation camps hosted everything from vertical challenge, and hut building to bush cooking to name a few.
Kids Adventure Outdoors is one of many initiatives held across the state in April as part of Premier’s Active April Week.
“Surfing, sailing and skateboarding were particularly good,” said local attendee Anita Fagg from Torquay.
“All the kids were engaged for the whole session, they had a great time.”
YMCA manager Vicki Chrzanowski said the fact that the weekend proved to be the biggest gathering yet of families around an event anchored in “adventures for all” in the outdoors, showed that there was strong interest in re-connecting kids and parents with nature.
“So many parents reported that they had a fantastic time, that the event helped make for a memorable family weekend, and that they would be “Importantly, many of the kids were trying for pathways to take it up as a new pursuit.”
Business and Tourism Association of Anglesea president Raylene Fordham said the event had also been a boon for regional tourism.
“The town was vibrant with families moving around between activities and we certainly had a spike in visitation as a direct result of Kids Adventure Outdoors positioning of the town and its surrounding environment as a great place for families to be in Anglesea active and adventurous in nature.
“It also naturally highlights the huge variety of activities on offer for visitors to Anglesea throughout the year.”
Kids Adventure Outdoors is a not-for-profit event organised by a group of local organisations, businesses and its supporters, including Sport and Recreation Victoria, Premiers Active April, Business and Tourism Association of Anglesea, YMCA Recreation Camp, Baptist Camping, Go Ride A Wave, Eco Logic, Sailing Victoria, Bushwalking Victoria, Kids In Nature Network, Anglesea Beachfront Family Caravan Park and Adventure Types.
The event is also supported Barwon Water, Snowgum, Anglesea and District Community Bank, IGA Anglesea and local traders.