I’m writing this four days out, and a lot can happen with weather and waves over that period, but as I peruse the swell charts now, I’d have to say that this is the most promising run of swell we’ve seen predicted for the Noosa Festival of Surfing in quite a few years.
Of course, the real First Point is still hiding under all that sand, but over the summer we’ve seen it trying to make a comeback of sorts, and at most tides now, with a little bit of east quarter swell, there is definitely a contestable wave not far from where Firstie used to be. By Friday we should see some action from the combination of a high pressure system and building trade-winds in the Coral Sea. As surfing gets underway on Saturday, fingers crossed the trade-winds will be in full effect, with a two to four feet easterly swell which might even jack a little as the weekend progresses. From there it looks likely that we’re in for easterly swell in the three to five feet range (some pundits are saying a bit bigger) hanging in most of the week.
As I said at the start, it’s too early to call as I write, but the experts are pretty much in agreement that we’re in for easterly swell and ESE winds for most of the window, and that spells Noosa’s points. Wouldn’t it be great to see the whole festival run at the point! I can’t remember the last time it did that, maybe 2016. But enough conjecture – the show will go on, and this is what it’s looking like.
IN THE WATER
Saturday 9 March: Junior divisions, Teams Challenge and Family Challenge.
Sunday 10 March: Juniors, Teams Challenge and Family Challenge (finals) and some Senior Division first round heats.
Monday 11 March: Senior Division heats.
Tuesday 12 March: All remaining Senior Division heats up to finals, and some Women’s Logger Pro heats.
Wednesday 13 March: Men and Women Logger Pro heats and start of HPFC Longboard.
Thursday 14 March: HPFC Longboard, Men’s Logger Pro.
Friday 15 March: Old Mal, Logger Pro.
Saturday 16 March: Logger Pro, HPFC, Twin Fin and Old Mal
Sunday 17 March: All division finals except juniors and teams.
NOTE: The Noserider Invitational will be held when the best conditions are on offer. Invitees are encouraged to talk directly to the contest director about the time of event. Surfing competition will run daily 7am–4pm (approx) at First Point as a priority. If waves are not contestable at First Point, secondary location is Access 11 (Noosa West Beach). Next backup location is Castaways/Sunrise Beach where competitors and spectators are encouraged to avoid illegal parking.
For the full heat draw in all divisions visit liveheats.com/nfos
For further competitor information and updates go to 2024 Competitors Forum at NFOS Facebook (facebook.com/groups/447671223123013)
ON THE BEACH (AND BEYOND)
Thursday 7 March: New York Minute in The Junction gets in early with a festival launch party 5-10pm, free entry.
Friday 8 March: Official opening and Welcome To Country at the Beach Bar, 5.30pm. All competitors welcome. Birth of The Endless Summer movie at The J from 6pm.
Saturday 9 March: Barney Cool’s Beach Bar Takeover, all weekend 12-8pm. VetShopAustralia Surfing Dog Championships First Point from 3pm featuring Dan and his Staffy Bu, ball-catching Banjo the Kelpie, Jarrah the wonder dog and many more stars of the dog surf world. Note: Multiple event champion Chris De Aboitiz will be demonstrating his Pack Mates techniques on the sand from 2pm.
Mixing of the Waters ceremony and paddle-out 4.30pm at Main Beach, all competitors and friends welcome.
Thomas Surfboards movie and live bands, Thomas Surfboards, Noosaville, from 5pm entry $20.
Sunday 10 March: Active Escapes Beach Training, Main Beach 6-7am. A Dogs Breakfast, Noosa Reef Hotel 8am, $35 adult, $20 child.
Monday 11 March: Salty Brains Trivia Night hosted by Tom Wegener, Matso’s Brewery, Eumundi from 6pm, $10 entry.
Tuesday 12 March: Locals Day by Noosa Surf Outlet from 3.30pm. Tourism Noosa Networking Night, Beach Bar 5-8pm, invitation only.
Wednesday 13 March: She To Sea Art Expo, Beach Bar 2-6pm. The Immortals and Big Wednesday double-header at Noosa Surf Museum, doors open 5.30pm. Hosted by Phil Jarratt with special guests world champions Tom Carroll and Peter PT Townend. Tickets $50 at noosafestivalofsurfing.com
Thursday 14 March: InNoosa Magazine Fashion Show, Beach Bar from 4.30pm.
Saturday 16 March: Breath and Ice with Rich Burrows, 7-9am Main Beach, $50.
Brewfest Noosa, Noosa Dolphins Rugby Club 12-9pm, tickets at brewfest.com.au. Raw Ordio, Band of Frequencies and more.
Sunday 17 March: Presentations and closedown party, Beach Bar from 4pm.
FOOTNOTE: A final shout out to Sally Fitzgibbons who took gold at the ISA World Games in Puerto Rico, helping her country to an overall bronze. As the ISA reported: “Fitzgibbons increased her own record as the winningest surfer in ISA history even further as she claimed an unprecedented fifth gold medal (4 ISA World Surfing Games and 1 ISA World Juniors). Maintaining herself in the main round through till Finals Day, the 33-year-old fell into repechage in the last step before the grand final, surfing three heats today, before peaking when it mattered most to further highlight her name in the history books and deliver Australia a team bronze medal in the process.” Go, gal!
