Lancelin Ocean Classic

The Lancelin Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc (LCCI)i s delighted to announce the return of the Lancelin Ocean Classic in 2019. The international wave sport event, which is entering its 34thyear, is under new management and back with the local community with a new image as the Lancelin Ocean Classic Festival (LOCF).

The LOCF, which is now being managed by the LCCI, will take place from Saturday 5 to Sunday 13January 2019 in Lancelin, Western Australia. In addition to three adrenaline-charged days of wave sport competitions - including the 25.62km Ledge Point to Lancelin windsurfing race - the LOCF has been launched as an "Experience the Thrill" eight-day festival to include a range of summer activities suitable for the wider public.

This year's competition will include events for windsurfing, kitesurfing, SUP boarding, jet skis, dragon boats and a beach run which will be held on Friday 11 January to Sunday 13 January 2019. Competitor registrations for each event are open and can be accessed via www.lancelinoceanclassic.com.au .

Free, full live streaming of the wave sport competitions will be made available to the public via a CCTV screen in Lancelin so everyone can see and be part of the competitive action.

The festival component will offer the public access to the event village which will provide food and refreshments, family friendly activities, and free live music on the Friday and Saturday nights. It will also include a laser skirmish, children's fishing 'know how' session and fishing competition, a family quiz night, and much more. To help kick off the festival, the Shire of Gingin will be holding their annual Party in the Park on 5 January.

For the past three years organisation of the Lancelin Ocean Classic was contracted to an external event management company. However, on completion of their contract last year, the decision was made to bring management of the event back into the Lancelin community.

"We are fortunate to have some very talented, passionate people and businesses come on board to help us organise the festival this year - many who are local and have worked with the event in previous years - and we are confident of success," said LCCI President Mal Lobb.

"We are also hoping to attract an outstanding number of local, state, national and international competitors for each of the wave sport events, as well as providing a fun festival experience that will appeal to visitors and showcase our special coastal town. Everyone is invited."

Regular information updates about the LOCF will be posted via the following website and social media addresses/handles:

Website: www.lancelinoceanclassic.com.au

Facebook: LancelinOceanClassicWA

Instagram: @lancelinoceanclassic

Twitter: #LancelinClassic

The McGowan Government is a proud sponsor of the Lancelin Ocean Classic Festival through Tourism WA's Regional Events Program, with the LCCI being very appreciative of this support.

"On behalf of the LCCI, I sincerely thank Bendigo Bank and the Shire of Gingin for being the major sponsors for this event," said Mr Lobb. "I'd also like to say a big thank you to all the support we've received from the Lancelin community and the wave sport industry so far - these communities really are the heart and soul of this event and we are looking forward to delivering a fantastic Lancelin Ocean Classic Festival 2019."

The Lancelin Ocean Classic still holds the Guinness World Recordfor being the longest windsurf race (held since 2008).