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Junior Wavefest off due to sporting restrictions

Headshot of Cameron Newbold
Cameron NewboldAlbany Advertiser
Sapphire Shepherd and Lily Alexander at last year’s Junior Wavefest.
Camera IconSapphire Shepherd and Lily Alexander at last year’s Junior Wavefest. Credit: Laurie Benson

Albany Boardriders were forced to cancel their 2020 Junior Wavefest yesterday because of the ongoing spread of COVID-19 and the restrictions on sporting events.

The organisation was hopeful of running the Wavefest competition this weekend, given the separation involved in surfing.

However, following the latest Australian Government restrictions announced on Tuesday night, the event has been cancelled.

President Dave Beeck said this week the club would run the event providing entry numbers were sufficient and the social distancing measures could be adhered to on the beach.

Yesterday, the Boardriders confirmed the cancellation of the event but were hopeful of finding a new date to run the popular fixture.

“Dear Albany Boardriders members, the announcement by the Prime Minister last night extended COVID-19 restrictions to social based sporting events,” Albany Boardriders committee posted to Facebook. “Unfortunately this means that we need to cancel the Junior Wavefest.

“If you have registered we will send you an email as a follow-up and hopefully in the near future we may be able to reconsider a new date for the event.”

The Junior Wavefest is one of two major surf competitions the Boardriders hold every year in the Great Southern. Last year the junior fields were strong at the same event and the Senior Wavefest is usually held in May, which also remains in doubt with the current pandemic.

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