Surf Coast wins Masters Games

Alex de Vos
Surf Coast Shire has won a bid to host three Australian Masters Games events in February.
Around 500 national competitors will flock to the Surf Coast for surfing, golf and cycling events after Geelong won hosting rights last year for the 12th annual games.
Based on City of Greater Geelong estimates of a return of up to $13 million from the games, Surf Coast stands to reap an economic windfall of more than $800,000 from the three events.
The Independent revealed last week that Surf Coast representatives had been in talks with organisers about events. The shire contributed $10,000 to the games, with Geelong paying $200,000.
But this week games organisers revealed Surf Coast Shire would host the surfing event at Jan Juc, part of the golf competition at Anglesea and the road-race cycling leg at Paraparap.
Surfing Victoria’s Peter Murphy, whose organisation gave Surf Coast the nod for the surfing competition, said he was thrilled Jan Juc had won the hosting rights.
“We probably chose that venue because we weren’t sure of the levels of the surfers, so we thought Jan Juc would be the best option because it always has waves and it’s suitable for longboards,” Mr Murphy said.
“We think it’s the most appropriate venue and the location is perfect. Torquay is virtually the capital of surfing in Australia.”
Mr Murphy expected the event to “significantly” boost the Surf Coast’s economy on the back of the summer holiday season.
“This will definitely benefit Torquay,” Mr Murphy said.
“It will be very valuable to the local surfing companies and accommodation services.”
Last week’s story on the Surf Coast games bid alarmed community groups on the Bellarine Peninsula.
Ocean Grove and District Community Association chairperson Michael Harbour urged the peninsula’s councillors to combat the Surf Coast bid for hosting rights to events suitable for the peninsula such as surfing, golf and cycling.
“Our view is that the games have been given to the City of Greater Geelong, so the events should be held within its boundaries,” Mr Harbour said.
However, organisers said this week that both Geelong and the peninsula would lose most of the cycling to Melbourne.