What are the chances of the Sunshine Coast hosting surfing at the Olympic Games in 2032?
The Gold Coast appears to be a clear frontrunner, because of its global reputation as a board riding mecca.
But the Sunshine Coast also has surfing charm, culture and history, along with world-class breaks.
Noosa is a World Surfing Reserve and hosts one of the largest surfing festivals in the world, while Alexandra Headland, Coolum Beach and Moffat Beach are among the many local havens for catching waves.
Several other Olympic sports are already pencilled in for the Sunshine Coast, including basketball, football, marathon, road cycling, mountain biking and kiteboarding.
But surfing hasn’t been pencilled in as a 2032 sport, let alone assigned a likely location.
Surfing was held at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and will be held at Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028.
It’s widely assumed surfing will also be held at Brisbane 2032, such is the sport’s cultural ties to Australia.
A Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee spokesperson said organisers would talk to officials from the sport.
“Surfing does not currently have a venue allocated in the Brisbane 2032 Master Plan,” the spokesperson told Sunshine Coast News.
“If it were to be selected by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) for inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Sports Program, the Organising Committee would work with the national and state sporting organisations, Games Delivery Partners and the IOC to determine the appropriate venue location.
“We understand there are many sports that will want to participate in Brisbane 2032, and we appreciate their enthusiasm. It’s early days and we look forward to speaking with each sport at the appropriate time.”
The Games are set to be held in July and August, 2032.
Local surfer and lifeguard Shane Bevan, who competed on the world tour, said the Sunshine Coast would be a great place to host Olympic surfing “on its day”.
“I think the whole Sunshine Coast could be great for it – at Moffats, Point Cartwright, Noosa and Coolum,” he said.
But he said the region’s surf was generally too fickle.
“If the Olympics were held in March to June, there would be a better chance that it could be here but during the rest of the year, the wave quality is not consistent enough.” he said.
“The Gold Coast is way more consistent with the south swells.”
Mr Bevan said the region could stand a better chance of hosting Olympic surfing with a wave pool.
Some wave pools, including two at Glenview and one at Coolum, have been proposed for the Sunshine Coast, while a large one is also planned for the Gold Coast.
“If there was a good-quality wave pool then that would be a second option for the Sunny Coast,” Mr Bevan said.
“But the Gold Coast definitely has superb point breaks and heaps of other back-up locations.”
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