Volunteer concerns at forefront of Bells Bash “pause”

A SUMMER favourite on the Surf Coast will not run next month as dwindling participation numbers have put a pause on a major Jan Juc SLSC fundraiser.

The annual Bells Bash Cliff Run at Jan Juc SLSC will not go ahead next year, following the Board’s decision to cancel the event in 2023, but with the intent of it returning in 2024.

Jan Juc SLSC sponsorship and fundraising director Jodie Reyntjes said putting the Cliff Run “on pause”, originally slated for January 6 next month, will be the first step in refining and improving the event in future years.

“We know there are a lot of park runs happening across the Surf Coast at the start of the year, but a huge part of our decision to pause the run is being conscious of our volunteers’ time,” she said.

“Being a volunteer club putting on a huge event like the Cliff Run, then following it up with the Danger 1000 Swim a day later, we needed to weigh up the pros and cons for our volunteers.”

The Bells Bash Cliff Run fun run has been going since it was first hosted in 2004 along the clifftop ocean track from Jan Juc SLSC to Bells Beach.

“Having one less event being held in 2023 will allow us to refocus on the lifesaving component of the club over summer, as well as the rest of our fundraising events,” Ms Reyntjes said.

Following Jan Juc SLSC’s annual Golf Day on January 5 and the Danger 1000 Swim on January 7, the club’s board will focus on improving the Bells Bash Cliff Run for 2024.