Easter Luncheon to celebrate local surf community

TORQUAY Boardriders Club’s annual Bells Beach Luncheon is back bigger and better this Easter, giving the community the ultimate start to the Rip Curl Pro festivities.

The March 31 event at Jan Juc Surf Life Saving Club, will bring together the local community, businesses and surfing icons to raise funds which will allow the surfing club to continue delivering development programs, events and future upgrades.

Confirmed guests for the event include Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Corinna Eccles, local media and surf industry maestro Neil Ridgway and Rip Curl team riders Brisa Hennessy and Mason Ho.

 

Torquay Boardriders Club president Harry Mann said the event was a huge part in funding the future success of the surfers coming through the local ranks.

“We are such a big club and to run a club that big involves a lot of fundraising… Jan Juc SLSC have been an integral part in letting us use their venue and creating a unique partnership,” Mann said.

“This event has changed the club, we’ve been able to put more money into junior development, state representative trips, equipment and the quality of events we can run.

“We had a van that was not very safe, tents that were falling apart and speakers that wouldn’t work… now that’s all been upgraded.

“The generosity has been overwhelming these first few years… if we didn’t have this event we probably aren’t in the position we are now to facilitate what we do.”

 

Mann said that this year’s event will have a particular focus on detailing the history of Bells Beach and cited that the lineup of guests would perfectly encapsulate that.

“We are thrilled to have Neil MC’ing the event, he is a Hall of Fame Surfing Australia member and is so good around the Bells time in integrating with local icons, athletes and our members,” Mann said.

“Corinna is also a huge get… she will do a Welcome to Country and educate us all on the Indigenous history of the area and Bells… to have her down for the event is massive.

“We also might potentially be getting the world number one to the event, amongst some other athletes.”

 

Mann said he looks forward to businesses and local people learning more about the Torquay Boardriders Club and their impact in shaping past, present and future generations of surfers in the community.

Tickets are selling fast and can be purchased by visiting, www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=1020573&