Kiama is hosting competitions in two growing sports this weekend, with the Skatefest Kiama Regional Contest Series finally being on after two years of cancellation and the inaugural Kiama Beach Tag Tournament being held at Surf Beach.

“It’s been three years since we’ve had one of these comps down in Kiama and I’m just really happy to have it back,” says Donny Fraser, Skatefest organiser.

“These events are like a national friendship, where skaters come from all over the country to get together, skate and hang out.”

The event will run over the whole weekend, with the main competition to be held on the Saturday, and the Sunday as more of a fun day to catch up over a game of SKATE (a game of one-upmanship in doing tricks).

“We have the main Street event on Saturday - with age groups in 9 and under, 12 and under, 15 and under, Women’s, Open and Masters - which is what everyone is waiting for,” says Donny.

“This event is also a qualifying event for the Nationals, so it’s a big one for the area.”

While registrations are still open, Donny says it is already looking to be a successful weekend with many skaters having already signed up. There were 70 competitors in the last event held in 2019.

2019 Skatefest Kiama

“The registrations are already looking pretty good and we think there will be a lot of kids there over the weekend,” he says.

“I really want to run it as a high quality event so it’s a great experience for all the skaters.”

The Kiama Beach Tag Tournament will be on Saturday and there will be 20 teams in the Mixed category, 16 in the Mens and 7 in the in the Under 18s.

To add to the atmosphere there will be food trucks and a bar at Coronation Park at Surf Beach, along with a DJ in the rotunda and a jumping castle for the kids.

There will also be a Cattleman’s Brewing Co exhibition game between a team with Josh and Brett Morris and Boyd Cordner and event organisers Steve Emmett and Keiron Duncan.

Beach Tag's Keiron Duncan (l) and Steve Emmett (r), with Terry Digger (Coast & Country FN), Sally Bursell (Destination Kiama) and Josh Morris and Brendan Rolls (Cattleman's Brewing Co)

Finals will be around 5pm and the presentation will be held afterwards at the Kiama Leagues Club.

The Football Writers Festival (see Football heaven in Jamberoo) is also on this weekend in Jamberoo and will include a Portraits In Football photo exhibition and sessions with journalists, authors, players and football lovers.

For more info and tickets to The Football Writers Festival, visit: www.footballwritersfestival.com.au/

Skatefest Kiama is on Saturday 26-27 March at Kiama Skatepark. Registration is $15 each, register here:

www.australianskateboarding.com/competition-registration/