The 35th Byron Bay Easter Surfing Classic
- In the Open division Willsy will be one of the men to beat
This is not just any old surfing event, the Byron Bay Easter Surfing Classic is in its 35th year making it the longest running amateur surfing competition in Australia. This is a significant milestone in itself considering it is run by a non-profit organisation and its volunteers. The contest is also known to locals as the Ben King memorial, BK a former president of the Byron Bay Boardriders who passed away suddenly four years ago. For everyone that knew BK this event holds a very close place to their hearts, bringing our local surfing community back together and ensuring the spirit of BK lives on. The Easter Classic is also one of the few remaining events that can be classified as a family surfing competition with 11 divisions from U/13’s boys & girls all the way through to the legends which is the over 50’s division. Divisions that are contested on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of April (Easter Weekend) are:- U13’s Boys, U13’s Girls, U16’s Boys, U16’s Girls, U19’s Boys, U19’s Girls, Open Men, Open Women, O30’s Senior Men, O40’s Master Men, O50’s Legend Men and an invitational single fin event run in memory of the late Ben King.
Over the 35 years the Easter Classic has become a stepping stone for some of the best surfers in the world. The open men’s division is always electric and its past list of winners makes it one title that any great surfer would be stoked with. Past winners include Mark Williams, Richard Marsh, Chappy Jennings, Simon Law, Rod Anderson, Jeremy Byles, Shane Bevan, Craig Holley, Danny Wills, Jye Gofton, Kieren Perrow, Mark Richardson, Jock Barnes, Shane Wehner, Shaun Gossman, Yerin Brown, Jarrad Sullivan and Stu Kennedy.
Increased prize money in both the Open Men’s and Open Women’s divisions in 2010 will attract the highest level of surfing from the east coast of Australia to Byron Bay this Easter. The open men will battle it out for $1,500 cash plus prizes. The Open women’s will be competing for cash in 2010 also with 1st receiving $500 cash and unreal prizes. Junior’s winner will once again win $500 cash and prizes. Support is at its strongest ever in 2010, make sure you’re in Byron Bay this Easter to witness an explosive 3 days of surfing.
click on this to download entry form