Protecting planet and journey to Olympics headline Global Wave Conference

With under two weeks until the Global Wave Conference is held in Australia for the first time, the three-day program has been announced with a focus on ocean conservation and surfing glory at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Launching the program today from the eighth World Surfing Reserve at Currumbin Alley, Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni said the Gold Coast was the most fitting place to hold the three-day conference.

“This is exactly why the Premier fought to have this part of the Gold Coast marked as a World Surfing Reserve,” the Minister said.

“The Global Wave Conference will see more than 400 surfers, conservationists and scientists gather on the Coast for the three-day program.

“The future of surfing and the health of our wildlife go hand in hand, so it’s fitting that Sophie Taylor-Price, granddaughter of the late Prime Minister Bob Hawke, will open the conference on Tuesday 11 February to address the recent National bushfire tragedy and the impact from climate change.

“The Palaszczuk Government is investing around $30,000 into the conference to host a range of fun and healthy activities to see the Coolangatta community get active.

“The Conference line up offers a deep conversation about our relationship with our planet, at a time when natural disaster has confronted our nation, alongside attitudes that will bring our community together.

“The Conference will feature activities that will bring our community together, including exhibitions, workshops and of course the sport of surfing,” Mr de Brenni said.

“Queensland’s World Surfing Reserve not only preserves this beautiful part of the world for surfers and our local wildlife, our pristine beaches draw tourists from all over the globe.

“This is a great event for visitors to the Gold Coast and will see tourism dollars flow through to the local economy in Currumbin.”

Chairman of the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve Andrew McKinnon said the Global Wave Conference program had a focus on the growing threats to waves and surfing habitats across the globe.

“This year’s Conference is about bringing climate scientists and surfing pros together to discuss our shared responsibility to protect our environment.

“It brings together the best international minds from surfing, conservation, and innovation communities to tackle the world’s most challenging ocean issues.

Mr de Brenni said Queensland surfers would play a significant role at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, both as athletes and coaches, where surfing will debut as an Olympic sport.

“The World Surfing Reserve here at the coast is one of the best training facilities for our surfers going for Gold in 2020.

“The Palaszczuk Government is backing that up by working closely with the Queensland Academy of Sport and Surfing Queensland to back stars like Julian Wilson in the green and gold.”

Full details of the 2020 Global Wave Conference can be found here: www.globalwaveconference2020.com.au

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