Gold Coast –XCAT (extreme catamaran) powerboating action arrives in Australia’s Gold Coast later this month.

Having led the UIM XCAT World Series for much of the season, Team Abu Dhabi slipped to second spot at the last race in Cascais, Portugal. Now, just one point separates them from the top-placed XDubai team going into the Australian show-down.

World Powerboat Championship
CASCAIS GRAND PRIX
PORTUGAL

The team of Rashed Al Tayer (35) and Faleh Al Mansoori (33) will be looking for maximum points when they take to the water at Doug Jennings Park from August 21-23.

“Yes, there is pressure. We feel pressure because we were leading the Series going into the last race and we’ve lost it now so we are working hard to recover again and go back to the top,” said Abu Dhabi-based Al Tayer. “We’re sure the pressure isn’t only on us though – it’s on them as well.”

Team Abu Dhabi will line up with 13 other international teams for the fourth round of the XCAT World Series which is visiting Australia for the first time in its history.

Dubbed the greatest motorsport Series on water, the XCAT World Series truly is a spectacle of speed, with teams of two taking each other on in two-engined carbon-fibre boats that tear around the course at speeds close to 200km per hour.

Rashed Al Tayer (left) and Faleh Al Manssori celebrate their victory at the Fujairah GP earlier this year.

Asked about competing on the beautiful Gold Coast, Al Mansoori admitted: “This is our first time racing in Australia – we’ve never raced here before so we are very excited about it.

“We have heard many great things about Australia and can’t wait to get there. I’m sure the crowds there will really enjoy the fantastic show that we put on for them,” he added.

“For sure it will be a tough race and we are hoping the conditions will suit us well. There is no specific strategy and we’re not only looking to beat XDubai – we’re focused on ourselves and beating all the teams. Our strategy is to collect points and we’re concentrating on that.”

The Gold Coast GP will take place at Doug Jennings Park, The Spit at Main Beach, and entry is free of charge to the general public.

After the fourth round in Australia, the XCAT World Series heads to Nice, France in October before ending the year with races in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE

The race is located a short distance from Surfers Beachside Holiday Apartments. For more information about short stays at Surfers Beachside, or accommodation for your annual holiday or business trip, call (07) 5570 3000, or email holiday@surfersbeachside.com.au

(Photo Credits: http://xcatracing.com/ Photo-Gallery)

Surfers Beachside Holiday Apartments, located in Surfers Paradise the heart of the Gold Coast , offers an excellent headquarters for the intrepid traveller, holidaying family or business stay. It’s just a stone’s throw from all the action and features luxurious accommodation at competitive prices.

The Harlem Globetrotters – Gold Coast Convention Centre on June 24

For a brilliant day out with the family, and basketball like you’ve never seen before, you’ve got to check out the Harlem Globetrotters, who’ll grace the Gold Coast Convention Centre on June 24. Featuring some of the best ball handling his side of anywhere, the Globetrotters continue to thrill spectators in the team’s 87^th consecutive year.

Thought to be the world’s first professional basketball team, the Globetrotters combine athleticism, theatre and comedy and have showcased their unique talents in more than 122 countries and territories on six-continents. They’re pop culture icons and have featured in dozens of animated TV shows (such as The Simpsons), movies, documentaries, video games and more.

The team’s only hosting a small number of shows across Australia and its Gold Coast gig is expected to be very popular. It’s worth picking up tickets early to avoid disappointment, as the show is expected to sell out.

City of Gold Coast Monster Machinery Day – Fun for the big and small kids

Otherwise, families will find the 12th annual City of Gold Coast Monster Machinery Day to be a particularly impressive spectacle. The popular free event, due to be held on May 31, showcases an extensive variety of vehicles, trucks and machinery used by Gold Coast Council.

 Kids, and big kids at heart, will get the chance to check out more than 30 vehicles used for essential services delivery, including excavators, loaders, graders,      tractors and more. You’ll be able to get up close and personal to meet the operators and get a glimpse into the workings of a modern day city.

Non-stop entertainment planned for the day includes vehicle demonstrations, stage shows, rides, food stalls, interactive games, with great prizes and giveaways on offer for all ages.

The Monster Machinery Day will be held from 9am to 2pm at Broadwater Parklands Southern Precinct, Marine Parade, Southport

Australia’s premier lawn bowls event, the Bowls Australia Australian Open, will also roll into action from June 13 to 25. It’s the first time the Singles, Fours and Pairs event will be held at the Gold Coast, after shifting north from Victoria.

Bringing Australia’s massive bowling community together, spectators can expect some class acts on the green, and a relaxed atmosphere throughout the 12 day Open. Over $225,000 in prize money is up for grabs and the competition is sure to be fierce.

Matches will be played across the coast, including at Southport Bowls Club, Gold Coast Bowls and Community Club and Broadbeach Bowls and Community Club. They’re only located a short distance from Surfers Beachside Holiday Apartments and, as a bonus, each of the host clubs acts as a brilliant spot to grab a bite to eat between ends.

For more information about short stays at Surfers Beachside, or accommodation for your annual holiday or business trip, call (07) 5570 3000, or email holiday@surfersbeachside.com.au

(Photo Credits: Aerial photo, credit to Tourism and Events Queensland / australianopen.bowlsaustralia.com.au Photo-Gallery)

As we power through May on the gorgeous Gold Coast, Queensland, we’d be amiss not to mention the slew of exciting events just around the corner. Accompanying our sandy beaches, pleasant climate and friendly atmosphere, there’s something for everyone.

This month brings the upbeat sounds of Blues on Broadbeach – a popular free event which brings some of Australia’s best blues and roots artists to the centre of Broadbeach’s acclaimed dining and nightlife hub. It’ll be held from the 21^st to 24^th of May.

Fittingly, the Gold Coast’s picturesque seaside will also play host to the Gold Coast International Marine Expo and Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, also from the 21^st to 24^th of May. It’s a real must for keen boaties in the family and it also offers hours of entertainment for the kids. It’s quite a wide-ranging event and there’s sure to be something for everyone.

Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival

Conveniently, an apartments at Surfers Beachside in Surfers paradise offers the perfect headquarters for those keen to soak up the sights and sounds of the Gold Coast and its premier attractions and events.

Firstly, let’s take a closer look at the biggest free music festival in Australia, which certainly won’t have you singing the blues – although you’ll definitely get an earful of it.

Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival features an absolutely massive line up this year, complete with James Morrison, Andrew Strong, The Black Sorrows, Tijuana Cartel and many more stellar artists over six eclectic stages. The Broadbeach Mall stage offers enough performances to satisfy the appetite of even the most hardcore blues aficionado, and  it offers just a sample of the extensive list of entertaining acts. Importantly, the bustling event is very safe, well organised and offers all the amenities you’d expect at a major music festival, and perhaps more. It’s also just a 5 minute trip on the G-link (Our New Light Rail Tram) away from Surfers Beachside Holiday Apartments.

‘The Boat Show With So Much More’ is Australia’s only “working boat show” and it attracts visitors from across the country, and across the globe. Whether

Gold Coast International Marine Expo

you’re a boating enthusiast, or just curious about marine craft, it’s well worth a look. As a bonus, the show strongly supports local charities, with its widespread donations exceeding $68,000 to date.

Plus, this year there’s a raft of new exhibits for the whole family and some interesting interactive exhibits for the kids.

One of the quirkier exhibits is the Notorious Pirate Ship, which is a painstaking, rare replica of a 15^th century Portuguese caravel. It’s one-of-a-kind in the Southern Hemisphere and it will be an undeniable thrill for the young and young-at-heart to step aboard this unique vessel.

There’s also the Supertank Fishing Show and Super 60s Multihull Showcase to look forward to. While the Fishing Show provides a unique fisheye look at underwater life (and a glimpse at the latest fishing gear), the Multihull Showcase features the world’s latest and greatest multihull boats, ranging from 55 to 65 feet. The latest luxury models from leading brands have also been confirmed as exhibits at the show. To top it off, the Southport Yacht Club Funsail offers kids the opportunity to hit the water and test out their sea legs in a safe environment.

The Gold Coast International Marine Expo is held at the Gold Coast Marine Precinct, located on Waterway Drive, Coomera. Tickets, available online, are only $10 for adults and $7 for seniors/pensioners, while kids under 15 enter for free. You can also pay at the gate. Its date was changed this year to align with the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show

The Sanctuary Cove show, also 30 mins drive from Surfers Paradise, showcases over 500 boats at Marine Village at Sanctuary Cove, including the latest lines. It also features a large array of exclusive conferences, boating demonstrations and more.

At the gate, a day pass for an adult is $25, while concession is $20 and kids under 18 enter free.

If you’re in the market for a boat, or simply want to daydream, it’s a top day out for the family, or the discerning solo traveller. If you’re one of the many industry delegates attending the show, check out Surfers Beachside for a top quality room in a convenient location.

For more information about short stays, or accommodation for your annual holiday, or business trip, call Surfers Beachside on 07 5570 3000, or email holiday@surfersbeachside.com.au

(Photo credits: Blues on Broadbeach photo by Blues on Broadbeach, Aerial shot of the Gold Coast by Gold Coast International Marine Expo, Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show photo by Camper Trailer Travels)

Don’t miss out on this spectacular event.  Let the magic and awe of this year’s Sand Safari experience take you to a Disney enchanted wonderland. This is a great event for all the family. You will be in awe of the life like characters, Lilo & Stitch, The Little Mermaid, Monsters Inc, The Lion King and our favourite Mickey & Minnie just to name a few.

This year’s Sand Safari will see the coastline of Surfers Paradise fill with a dozen 10-25 tonnes  sculptures of your favourite Disney friends.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic art of sand sculpting as each sculptor competes for this year’s championship, expressing in sand what magical friendships mean to them.

There is also a feature interactive Disney sculpture exhibition where you can have your photo taken among the display, along with sand art and bottle workshops for adults and children alike.

This event is running over two weeks, there’s plenty of time to grab the whole family for what is set to be an amazing outing, fun for all ages!

This event is just a short stroll from Surfers Beachside Holiday Apartments come for a few days and enjoy what the Gold Coast has to offer and bring Disney’s magical friendships to life

For more information on a short stays or accommodation for your annual holiday, contact us today!

Stayed at Surfers Beachside with my family for three nights, and had a lovely time! Friendly staff, clean rooms and great ocean view! We’ll be back!