Epic news for NSW groms as Reflections Cadet Cup expands with a second competition on the Mid North Coast

The Reflections Cadet Cup is expanding in 2024, with adventure-driven holiday park group Reflections Holidays and surfing powerhouse Surfest confirming they will stage a second Cup at 9 Mile Beach at Tuncurry in December following the huge success of the inaugural cup.

The Reflections Cadet Cup is expanding in 2024, with adventure-driven holiday park group Reflections Holidays and surfing powerhouse Surfest confirming they will stage a second Cup at 9 Mile Beach at Tuncurry in December following the huge success of the inaugural cup.

Reflections, the largest holiday group in NSW and the only one in Australia that is a certified social enterprise, and iconic Newcastle-founded surfing organisation Surfest will stage the second Reflections Cadet Cup on December 7 and 8, following the debut Cup event in February, 2024, at Bonny Hills.

The Reflections Cadet Cup Tuncurry will provide local junior surfers the opportunity to compete in a national-rated event and Reflections Holidays has awarded a wild card entry to each division of the event to the Foster Boardriders.

The Minister for Sport, Lands and Property, the Hon. Steve Kamper, said it was great to see Crown land holiday parks hosting the Cadet Cup and an additional event cup added to the surf calendar, with entries now open on the Surfing Australia website.

“The response to the inaugural Reflections Cadet Cup at Rainbow Beach, Bonny Hills was incredibly strong and the announcement of a second event this year is proof that demand is there for the Cup,” Mr Kamper said.

“Reflections Holidays manage holiday parks on Crown Land in some of the best surf locations, and with the backing of Surfest this competition will again attract some of the finest young surfers in the State while supporting regional tourism.”

Reflections CEO Nick Baker said the organisation was proud to host an additional Cup event that gave the State’s most promising surfers a chance to hone their skills, as well as a chance for the surfing community to gather.

“As an organisation we believe that life’s better outside and our partnership with Surfest in the Cadet Cup is an obvious way to not only nurture local surfing talent but also create awesome events at the beach, allowing participants and spectators to join in the action,” he said.

Surfest director Warren Smith said the organisation was extremely excited to have the opportunity to present the second Reflections Cadet Cup, a 5500 rated event on the Surfing Australia Junior Surfing Series.

“The Cup will have divisions for girls and boys in Under 12 years, Under 14 years and Under 16 years and will be conducted under the second chance format allowing all competitors to surf twice before the elimination rounds,” Mr Brown said.

“Nine Mile beach at Tuncurry/Foster was selected by Reflections Holidays and Surfest not only for the quality of wave choice there but also as a part of the expansion of junior surfing competition opportunities for regional areas.”

“The Mid Coast region has a great variety of beaches and consistent surf which fits perfectly into the planning for the Reflections Cadet Cup events.”

Reflections Holidays is committed to junior surfing by partnering with Surfest in establishing the Reflections Cadet Cup events, with the third event in the series to be held at Bonny Hills on March 1-2, 2025.