Surf’s Up in Sydney 2016

Australia’s largest grassroots surfing year long event kicks off 23 January at Cronulla NSW. With $110,000 AUD in prize money, the Boardriders Battle will feature more than 100 of the country’s best boardrider clubs in eight State qualifying rounds. Then follows a national final for 20 clubs on Australia Day where the nation celebrates with a long weekend, boogie boards, kegs and BBQ’s galore. 

 

This competition’s website is slightly convoluted and not the easiest to understand of dates & details but here’s the overview of how the competition will progress.  Three teams enter: Skins, Women’s and Teams. For Skins entering, the club nominates their top tier surfer who will compete in a 20 minute heat. The highest scorer remains in the water while the next surfers enter until there is a winner. For the Women’s competition, there are five x 20 minute heats and each will be scored on their best two waves. For the Teams entering, each heat includes four different club representatives with relay style changeovers and also nominating a Power Surfer. Their individual contributions will tally towards their final team’s total. Yes, it’s messy and not so clear but that’s the best we could do in simplifying. 

Then comes the Grand Final. After two days of Skins, Women’s and Teams competing, the top four clubs on the leaderboard at the National Final will go head to head in a 60 minute format following the same rules as the Teams competition in the final pressure cooker event. One club will win the 2016 Original Source Australian Boardriders Battle Champion trophy and toddle off with the cash prize.  

It’s the most confusing set up we’ve ever seen but there is still time to enter and the entry details are a LOT easier to understand. The entry fee is $350 and the website clearly states the entry rules of age restrictions, deadlines to enter and a simple rundown of eligibility. Remember, competing clubs must be a member of Surfing Australia Member State branch and only one team per club can be nominated. 

Boardriders Battle is also running a Monster Raffle where all ticket revenues are injected back into the surfing community, benefiting hundreds of boardrider clubs. You can click the Monster Raffle link on the web page and dish out $5 in the hope of winning a brand new Toyota RAV4 Cruiser or other surf gear as runner up prizes. If you want to be socially involved and supportive, tweet #OASBB and #BackYourBoardriders leading up to and on the day of the events.

Just under an hour drive or 90 minutes by bus, you can be back up north at Cremorne Point. Overlooking the Harbour from Cremorne Point Manor, the surf most certainly won’t be up but the stunning views will be hitting in you in waves. No wonder Tripadvisor awarded the Manor a Certificate of Excellence voted by hotel guests, for the fifth consecutive year, based on our service, gorgeous décor and absolutely not because of our boogie boarding skills.  

Have A Field Day On 1st January

Come New Year’s Eve and the world is in full celebration swing. Only a few stragglers are savvy enough to nurse hangovers with a hair of the dog. But there’s a better way to bounce right out of that headache, eye ache and lack of sleep…the Field Day Music Festival. 

 

It’s taking place in The Domain, right next to the Royal Botanical Gardens, slap bang in Sydney’s prime attraction. Keeping with tradition and history, the organizers value the Garden, the first botanical of its kind in the country, and state clearly on their website that the culture and heritage is remained intact during New Year’s Day. So expect rowdy crowds and the typical festival type of shenanigans at this event but without the trash and abuse. The planners, Fuzzy, are really focused on environmentally friendly objectives and absolutely thrive on taking care of the surroundings. From using innovative energy consumption systems to water usage, waste management and transportation, they’re the enviro-boffins that everyone strives to become. If you purchase merchandise on the day, you’re guaranteed the sweats won’t come from sweatshops. So expect a trundle of environmentally friendly displays, trash areas and information about how to make the world better, one dance track at a time. 

Keeping with this theme, they partner with local communities, local suppliers and local businesses. The music will be bouncing in the venue but not outside to disturb locals. If you want to recycle, it’ll be hard to not find a ‘Towards Zero Waste’ initiative system within arm’s reach. Every container and drink can will be recycled hourly in staggered increments of five per. If you find a cigarette butt or plastic container by your feet, just throw it in the trash. It’s that simple. 

What you will expect is a brilliant way to start 2016 out in the summer sun, laying on the grass, rolling in the leaves and listening to incredible music by a flurry of artists. With a mix of dance, party, house, hip-hop, electronica and indie music, they’ve covered an impressive number of musical genre bases. Also account there are full bars so you can’t BYO and a mass array of food offerings alongside free water (yes, free H2O). If your head’s still hurting from the night before, ask at the First Aid Tent for free earplugs.

The lineup includes Seth Troxler, Sam Feldt, Django Django, Pusha T and Jess Kent. Early bird tickets are now sold out but general ticket prices are available at $145 including booking fee. Or splash out and start the New Year with a VIP ticket at $192 (all in). For the VIP you have access to the Botanic Bar, rapid express entry to the festival, more toilets than you can imagine, great seating, souvenirs and freebie drinks vouchers. It’s just all more comfortable while you chill out and watch the little people.

Just a short ferry ride away is Cremorne Point. You’ve danced till your feet are begging you for a breather so we suggest you return back to Cremorne Point Manor, prop up those aching heels and enjoy the Sydney Harbour skyline. Take out the ear plugs and the serenity will be a calmer music to your ears while you start 2016 with a blast!

Lucky Number Sydney 7’s Early 2016

If you’re a super rugby fan, then you need to be in Sydney on the 6^th and 7^th February for the Festival of Rugby ‘Sydney 7’s.’ Tickets are now on sale via Ticketek for a really decent price of $30 AUD upwards but also account their junior, concession, family and bundle package prices. With 45,000 attendees at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney Moore Park, you can cheer on your favourite team from the 16 top ranked Rugby Seven countries. 

 

If you think the adrenaline, sporting morale and hype is enough, think again. The event organizers encourage you to Go Global with their fancy dress theme. According to their website, this is a ‘must.’ So mixing the party with a bit of fashion rugby action, start considering what costume you’re going to wear. Possibly as Scots in kilts, or Danish pastries, Ye Haw American cowboys or simply your favourite nation’s rugby jersey. The latter is always a sure bet but you may look boring in the crowd so think about investing in flamboyant wigs for you and your crew.  If you’re interested in taking the party theme further, the South Stand (18+ over only) is where you can buy tickets for this carnival experience, with food, music and most likely, mayhem.

Back to the agenda, on the 6^th is the 24 Pool matches, the women’s exhibition match, on field entertainment and the main matches start at 11.00am, finishing at 9.01pm. Yes, they actually mention .01pm in their website. On Sunday the 7^th, the 21 final matches take place, starting at 9.45am and ending with the Cup Presentation and Conclusion at 7.44pm. Again, the .44pm time is quite specific so you know the event will run like clockwork. Between the first match and crowning ceremony, other activities include the women’s exhibition match, more on field entertainment and assumedly, a few crowd pleaser Mexican Waves.

As the teams are split across four pools, they will be drawn by World Rugby the week prior to the event on the 30^th and 31^st January. The teams include Australia, Fiji, South Africa, New Zealand, England, Scotland, USA, Canada, Portugal, Russia, Kenya, Wales, Scotland, France and Argentina. World Rugby will also invite an additional country from the Pacific Islands.

Only a 20 minute drive from Cremorne Point, what better way to start and end this incredible sporting weekend than staying at Cremorne Point Manor! Each evening, return to our hotel, grab a beer and sit on the balcony, viewing the Harbour skyline while you readjust your wig and fancy dress costume. Our Harbour scenic views are incredible so see if your costume can raise the wow factor bar – it’ll be a tough battle so be prepared. If you can beat the odds, and our hotel team of unofficial judges like the way you look, you may receive a complimentary gift from us. So now get booking your stay with us and then fine tune your favourite team chants over the holiday season with your altos and sopranos.

Elvis Has Not Left The Building

From the 6 – 10 January, the King of Rock n’ Roll returns to Sydney with a ‘Fun in Acapulco’ party to celebrate the great man’s life, known as the Parkes Elvis Festival. It’s all about sticking a sombrero on your head, grabbing those maracas and spending five days of musical bliss at this tribute event.

 

With covers by US’s Donny Edwards ‘Live from Vegas,’ tickets are now available to purchase. Starting from 9.00am on the 6^th, the Elvis Central merchandise store will be open. At the same time, the King’s Castle Elvis Exhibition will be open alongside the Elvis Lennox private Collection. If you’re in the mood to check out up and comers, the Busking Competition will take place daily at the NRMA Festival Boulevard. Vote for your favourite busker to win a prize! 

Taking the event to another level, Bingo with Elvis will be at 10.30am or you can step back 30 minutes to attend an Audience with Steve Binder and then hop over to bingo. 

On Thursday, there is an early bird Poet’s Breakfast at the extortionate time of 6.30am for an hour and after you’ve packed your stomach to the brim, get ready for the free film at 10.00am. Is Karaoke your go to? Then you’re in luck as Big Al’s hosting a sing along at 6.30pm but you’ll need to warble fast, as the Elvis Trivia takes place at 7.00pm. Donny will be on stage at 8.00pm and by the next morning, you’ll be right as rain for the Photography Competition Exhibition. This is alongside the Edible Art Competition while later in the day, An Audience with Steve Binder ensures a repeat performance. Headlining that same night is the King of Rock n Roll Concert series at 8.00pm.

On Saturday and well into your blue suede shoes, the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Finale will take place at 2.00pm, with before & after entertainment such as Cars of the Era Show, Carmine: One Night of Elvis and a Trilogy: Three Decades of Elvis.

Honestly, by the time you reach the last day (Sunday) and you’re all shook up, the 9.00am Gospel Service will get your hands a waiving, followed by The 68’ Special Concert Series and The Ultimates, finishing off the five day extravaganza.

Ticket prices vary per event so check the calendar for many freebie entertainment attractions and remember to start tweeting #parkeselvis.

It’s a five hour drive from Cremorne Point so if you’re visiting NSW, make sure you rent a car for a few days, hop east and when you’re feeling more like a city Hound Dog, head back to Cremorne Point Manor.  The views of the Sydney Harbour are stunning so if you have Suspicious Minds, check our home page video and it’ll ensure a huge WOW factor.

Start Planning For Sydney New Year’s Eve

With less than 50 days to go before the big bang and blast off to 2016, if you’re thinking of heading to Sydney to celebrate the end of 2015, then we have the rundown for you. Sydney New Year’s Eve 2015 is always a guaranteed sure bet of a city for entertainment. We blogged about this recently but it requires a second harping. As one of the first countries to close the past 12months, the world will be watching on TV, live streaming from their smartphones and Instagramming themselves right into next year. 

 

The fireworks are the main attraction and the best place to perch your rear for prime viewing is at Cremorne Point. Famed for its stunning views of the Harbour skyline, the oohs and ahhs of the night sky displays never fail to cause a stir. You can rent a boat on the water, grab a few pals and join in a cruise or stay on dry land at the Point. The weather is always decent come end of December and with the crowds in abundance, body heat will ensure a good five degrees Fahrenheit increase. But still bring a sweater and jacket along, just in case the thrills give you the chills.

Pre show entertainment starts at 6.00pm on the 31^st with aerial displays. As the hour reaches the top, a tug boat will be displayed in the heart of the Harbour, presenting water displays. By 8.30pm, the Bridge converts into a huge canvas with video effects and full size images, showing a countdown clock to the main firework attraction. Within 10 minutes, a beautiful ceremony takes place to respect the Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders, with the city releasing eucalyptus smoke over the water, to cleanse and purify the Harbour of bad spirits. As a huge lover of eucalyptus, this feature attraction is right up our alley.

At 9.00pm, the family fireworks will kick off, so the little ones may gape in awe and then nod off to sleep, knowing they lasted until their eyes just couldn’t take it anymore. At this point, there will be a dual tribute to the 200^th year of the Royal Botanic Gardens and 100 years of Taronga Zoo. Time flies!

Fifteen minutes later, the Harbour will be illuminated with 60 ships, slowly gliding over the water with the Light Parade. All the lights will be white, adding to the purity of starting a new year.

At the stroke of midnight, a 12 minute firework display is achieved through seven barges, four sails at the Opera House and additionally, from the Harbour Bridge. 

Accommodation at Cremorne Point Manor is now hitting the high notes and we’re getting full up, mainly because of our prime viewing over the Harbour. So if you’re still contemplating where to spend New Year’s Eve, you know it’s got to be in Sydney, celebrating with us at the Point. If you’re in a mild financial pickle we suggest you check our sister site, Glenferrie Lodge. It’s nearby, again has incredible views of the Harbour and is more affordable. We see your fireworks and raise it with a sparkler. Get booking and we look forward to seeing you next month!