The festival’s main event, a surf competition held in partnership with Surfing NSW, Port Macquarie Surf Board Riders Club, Mid North Coast Girls Surf Riders and Port Macquarie Surf School gave local boardriders a chance to shine in 25 hours of surfing.

Port Macquarie’s Imogen Enfield won the under 16s female final against Natalie Fenson, Leila Salt and Evie Conway.

She then advanced to the female open alongside Brodie Doyle and Laila Rich, but was beaten in the surf by Rosie Smart with two high-scoring waves of 8.75 and 9.50.

The open male field was won by Central Coast’s Byron Stapleton who propelled himself up the scoreboard with two 7.10 waves, against rivals Jed Fasso, Jimmi Hill and Eden Hasson.

Contest director Wayne Hudson said the competition experienced 23 hours of excellent and two hours of average conditions.

“Most divisions were full, we had some big names in the event and it ran really well,” he said.

“We had some experienced judges on the panel in the inaugural year and they were super stoked with the standard. We had Phil Courtney and Steve Evans to make sure it’s unbiased.

“Port Macquarie is a perfect competition area because between North Haven and North Shore there are waves that fit every situation. Hopefully there will be a few more surfing events coming next year because this received great community support.

“For these juniors this is a stand alone event, they can go onto bigger and more corporate events during the year.”

This article and images were first published on Cambden Haven Courier by Robert Doherty.

The post Port Macquarie surfer Imogen Enfield places third in finals at inaugural Ride The Wave festival appeared first on Coastbeat.

Festival Success

Port Macquarie’s inaugural surf, skate and music festival Ride the Wave took over Town Beach last weekend. The charity event drew hundreds of people, keen to check out the action and stroll through the market stalls. Money raised over the three days went to not for profit Make A Difference. They’ll use the funds to fit out a food van that will offer relief to people in the region experiencing homelessness and disadvantage.

Sound Waves

While the surfers were tearing up the waves, local and interstate bands were tearing up the stage. Ride the Sound Wave featured Brisbane’s BEDDY RAYS as well as Scuffs and Vanilla Gorilla. Palomino, Mikk, Swell House and Acia Blue rounded out the line up.

Skate Against a Mate

The Town Beach skate park was buzzing with competitors of all ages. Skaters had one minute to show the judges their most impressive tricks and skills. Mates competed against mates but cheered each other on from the sidelines. The rain cut things short but not before we snapped these action shots…

Check out our pics from last month’s Next Exit Festival here.

The post Festival Rides the Wave of Success appeared first on Coastbeat.

The Mid North Coast is buzzing with community events right now and we couldn’t be happier! We’ve just blocked out June 18-20 in the diary to make sure we’re free for Ride the Wave Festival. If you haven’t heard of it, that’s because it’s a brand-new regional charity event. As well as surf and skate comps, Ride the Wave will feature live music, a film and photography contest, battle of the bands contest, market stalls, food vendors and a family fun zone. Read on and get excited!  

Surf and Skate

The festival’s main event is the surf comp in partnership with Surfing NSW, Port Macquarie Surf Board Riders Club, MNC Girls Surf Riders and Port Macquarie Surf School. With more than $7000 worth of prizes on offer, surfers will go head-to-head in Under 12s, 14s and 16s as well as Open Men’s and Women’s divisions. Heats kick off on Friday June 18 and the finals will be held Sunday June 20. 

Skaters can show their skills on Saturday June 19 at Port Macquarie Skatepark. There’s a skate clinic between 10am-11am before the competition ramps up. At 2pm the action is in the bowl and there will be a scooter demo by Albie Watson. 

Live and Local Music

If you’re not in the water, you can Ride the Sound Wave instead. This boutique music event hits town beach on Saturday June 19. Featuring indie punk rockers BEDDY RAYS, Vanilla Gorilla and Scuffs, you can also catch Palomino and Mikk. Tickets are limited, so jump on this one quick smart!

If you’re a local band, solo artist or DJ, you can take part in the online Battle of the Bands. Record and email a live performance video before May 28 to be in the running for a prize pack worth $500 and the chance to play live at Ride the Sound Wave. 

Photography and Film 

Attention amateur snappers! Enter your best surf and skate photos or videos for the chance to win a $500 prize pack and exhibition space at the 2022 pre-festival dinner. 

Making a Difference 

Ride the Wave is presented by Make A Difference (M.A.D), a not for profit charitable organisation. M.A.D was responsible for raising the funds to bring the Orange Sky Laundry Van to the Hastings region. Since that time, the organisation has raised enough money to purchase a food and coffee van to help feed people experiencing disadvantage in the community. Ride the Wave is a charity event with all funds raised across the festival going towards completing the fit out of the M.A.D food van. M.A.D has teamed up with Surfing NSW and Port Macquarie Hastings council to bring this new fundraising initiative to the Port Macquarie community.

To get all the details head to the website and follow along on Instagram. See you there!

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