You’ve asked and we’ve listened – a brand-new, fast-paced, team-style beach series has been added to the Surf Life Saving NSW surf sports calendar, with the first event set to take place on Saturday 5 November at North Steyne SLSC.

The ‘Beach Stormers Series’ is an exciting new beach competition which aims to provide current and prospective beach athletes with more opportunities to compete.

At present, 85 competitors will contest 47 events across the opening day on Sydney’s Northern Beaches this weekend, comprising Beach Sprints, Relays, Flags and Distance Runs.

Four rounds are currently slated for the first iteration, with Bulli SLSC to host Round 2 in a fortnight’s time, Coogee SLSC welcoming competitors on December 10 for Round 3, and then closing out the series at The Entrance SLSC on the Central Coast a week later.

SLSNSW Surf Sports Manager, Jim Pinnington said the event was the product of consultation with the membership and would provide an exciting platform for athletes heading into a bumper summer.

“Earlier this year we engaged an insight and strategy leader, the Gemba Group, to help us shape the next phase of surf sports in NSW, and the Beach Stormers Series is the first tangible offering to come from this,” he said.

“It’s an opportunity to really meet the needs of the membership – they’ve been crying out for more events of this nature, and we wanted to deliver. It’s a great way for us to reinvigorate beach sports participation and appeal to a whole new audience as well as our existing stars.

“We’re really happy with the uptake in the first instance and we’re looking forward to a great turnout at North Steyne, which we hope builds interest before we head down to the Illawarra for Round Two.”

In an exciting boost for the first-time event, Budgy Smuggler has jumped on board as the major partner, with the established swimwear brand offering great prizes throughout the series.

Among the competitors of note to line up this weekend are Sari McKee from North Cronulla SLSC’s stellar beach competition stable, fresh from claiming first place at the Lifesaving World Championships in the 15-19 Female 2km Beach Run, while Newport SLSC’s Blake Drysdale will look to build on years of sustained success at the very top of NSW surf sports by adding more bling to his long list of accolades.

BEACH STORMERS SERIES LOCATIONS:

R1 – Saturday 5 November, North Steyne SLSC

R2 – Saturday 19 November, Bulli SLSC

R3 – Saturday 10 December, Coogee SLSC

R4 – Saturday 17 December, The Entrance SLSC