This weekend we welcome back the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships. Over the next three weekends over 6000 competitors and their families will arrive and temporarily call Lake Mac home. The 2020 championships are returning to Blacksmiths Beach for the fourth consecutive year.
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It is something we should all be very proud of because it shows that our city and community can consistently attract and successfully run major events. I am so pleased to welcome all our visitors back to compete at Blacksmiths Beach, but no doubt they will also dine at Belmont, Swansea and Caves Beach, shop in Charlestown and visit any number of locations across our city. Events such as these championships significantly contribute to our local economy each year, bringing opportunities for tourism and accommodation providers, hospitality and retail businesses. It has benefits for our whole city. Hosting the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships presents a significant logistical challenge, such is the scale of the competition, which is of one of the largest events on the state surf sports calendar. It attracts more competitors than almost any other sporting event in the country on an annual basis. I must congratulate Swansea Belmont Surf Life Saving Club on the preparation they have put into the event this year. Their organisation has been seamless once again and their passionate and committed members have been working hard for many months. I am confident Swansea Belmont will again deliver a fantastic event experience for everyone involved. Surf life saving clubs across the state offer a wonderful community outlet for people, and everyone visiting the beach across the next few weeks is a crucial part of that community. I have no doubt that the state championships will again create a tremendous buzz for our city.
To our local nippers, all age competitors and every club visiting to compete over the next few weeks, I wish you all the very best with your events. Of course, we also need to thank all our amazing supporters, family and friends that turn up every week and get behind you. I look forward to watching the fierce competition and cheering everyone on as part of the fantastic atmosphere as you all compete for glory at our magnificent Blacksmiths Beach. We are lucky in Lake Macquarie to be blessed with some incredible locations and facilities. I hope everyone visiting for the state championships takes the chance to explore our City far beyond the beach.