Fever-pitch excitement on Sunshine Coast in Amanzi Challenge build-up
o all our residents and visitors, the Sunshine Coasts biggest water-sport event, the Royal St Andrews Hotel Amanzi Challenge is almost here, and athletes from around the country and overseas are ready to descend on Port Alfred to participate for the R1m in prize money sponsored by the Royal St Andrews Hotel (RSAH).
The town is expecting record crowds at this year’s event as they support the local athletes compete in this prestigious event. Previous years have seen first-class surfing, bodyboarding and inflatable boat (rubber duck) racing and this year there will be the addition of beach handball.
The Royal St Andrews Hotel Amanzi Challenge begins on Good Friday (April 19) and continues through the following week culminating with a closing ceremony on Sunday April 28 at the RSAH.
The event kicks off with an 8km trail run starting at 7am at the Royal Port Alfred Golf Club, through the indigenous bush and along the unspoilt
Tbeaches which makes the run (or walk) worthwhile just from a scenic perspective. At the same time as Friday’sTrail Run the SA Bodyboarding Championships will take place at West Beach. There is also lots of fun to be had for the children at Kiddies Beach every day throughout the entire challenge, including an Easter egg hunt and many other exciting games for the kids to enjoy.
The official opening ceremony will also take place at the RSAH at 6pm.
Bodyboarding continues at West Beach on Saturday April 20 and the SA Handball Championships will begin at West Beach from 7am. An “Anything that Floats” race will begin at 9.30am at MyPond Hotel. At 12 noon the Marina Mile Swim will take place at the Halyards Hotel. This one-mile swim in the Marina canals is well supported by the peole of the area.
On Sunday April 21 as the bodyboarders are whittled down, the excitement builds to see who will be crowned this year’s champion. While children enjoy the games at Kiddies Beach the handball championships will be played at East Beach, with the prize-giving at 1pm. At 6pm the final registration for the surfing competition will be held at the Royal St Andrews Hotel.
The SA Bodyboarding Championships continue at West Beach on Monday April 22 and the RSAH Port Alfred Classic Surfing competition begins at East Beach at 7.30am.
Surfing continues at East Beach on Tuesday April 23 as does the SA Bodyboarding at West Beach. The events will showcase some excellent surfing and bodyboarding as SA finest take to the waves in competition for the prize money as well as international points.
Surfing finals will be held at East Beach on Wednesday April 24 with the prize-giving taking place at the RSAH at 4pm that afternoon. At West Beach there will be exhibitions on fencing, tumbling and gymnastics demonstrated by the members of Nemato Change a Life (NCAL).
On Thursday April 25 the SA Bodyboarding time trials will take place at West Beach starting at 7am and continue throughout the day and, at the same time, NCAL will do its thing on the beach.
On Friday April 26 it will be time for the big motors to kick to life as the Thunder Cat Rubber Duck time trials begin on the Kowie River at 10.30am. NCAL now moves to East Beach with more fencing, tumbling and gymnastics from 12 noon. NCAL returns to West Beach on Saturday April 27 while the rubber ducks move to East Beach at 10.30am.
Sunday April 28 sees the Thunder Cat races return to the river and out into the ocean with their prize giving held at 6pm at the RSAH. Finally, the 2019 RSAH Amanzi Challenge will conclude with a closing ceremony at the hotel at 7pm.