Whitsundays to host new on-water event

THE Whitsunday islands will form a stunning backdrop for a flotilla of paddlers and yachts participating in the ultimate Whitsunday Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Challenge in May 2015.

This exciting new event is a partnership between Whitsunday Escape and Adrenalin Rush, designed to attract amateur paddlers from around the world.

Whitsunday Escape Managing Director Trevor Rees said the week-long event was aimed at getting paddlers, their families and friends out on the water to experience what sailing, SUP boarding and the Whitsundays was all about.

“Entrants will compete in four SUP races around the Whitsunday islands and along Whitehaven Beach, accompanied by their families and friends on board their own sailing or motor yacht,” he explained.

Whitsundays Marketing and Development Limited (WMDL) Executive Director, Jeff Aquilina, said he was excited about the new event, describing it as a fantastic concept “that celebrates the Whitsundays lifestyle and is something very unique to our region”.

“SUP boarding has exploded in popularity over recent years and I am certain that this new event will attract many visitors from nearby and afar,” he said.

“Events form a central part of our marketing strategy for the Whitsundays region and are important drivers to increase visitation, length of stay and visitor expenditure for our region.

“This certainly is another great addition to the Whitsundays events calendar and we hope that it will become an annual highlight.”

For more information visit http://www.whitsundaysupchallenge.com.