Wave Rally: Local businesses and windsurfing community rallies around organisers to revive popular event

Just five days after announcing the event’s cancellation, the Wave Rally World Championship’s organiser has back-tracked on his decision to cancel the event following an outpouring of support. However, in another social media post made on Sunday, van Bellen said “overwhelming support” from the windsurfing community, businesses and public drove his decision to revive Wave Rally. “While those setbacks were frustrating, they have not diminished the vision or determination behind the event,” the post said. “The strength of community backing has made it clear that Wave Rally has built something far bigger than any single funding decision.” In a since-deleted social media post made last Tuesday, event creator and organiser Paul van Bellen said burn out and little support from local authorities were key factors behind his decision. However, the response to the initial post reignited his fire despite previous setbacks, motivating him to keep going. “It’s given me a lot of wind in my sails to keep going,” he said. “In life we all need a purpose of some kind or to feel like we’re doing something worthwhile. To get that support is a humbling experience and it’s given me the confidence to keep moving forward. But it’s given me a nice feeling that people are out there that care enough about what you’re doing to see it succeed and continue on.” The popular windsurfing slalom event will take place on January 7-10 next year on the windy shores of Coronation Beach. In past editions, 114 windsurfers took on the wild waves of the Mid West, with 86 per cent of its 73 competitors coming from outside Geraldton in 2026. This year’s mega final which was taken out by local Anton Pain was also viewed more than 40,000 times across Facebook and YouTube. “Since its inception, Wave Rally has rapidly established itself as one of the most important windsurfing events in Australia,” he said. “The event has generated exceptional national and international media exposure within the windsurfing community and significant social media engagement, exceeding many windsurf competitions globally that operate with substantially larger budgets.” The decision to reverse the event’s cancellation was well-received by the event’s band of loyal supporters and Geraldton locals in the post’s comments section Among those included Geraldton MP Kirrilee Warr who commented: “Great to read the event will once again be happening in 2027!” Van Bellen, who moved from Sydney to Geraldton for windsurfing said he started the event to give back to a community and sport he’s passionate about. “Within Western Australia, people talked Geraldton down a bit,” he said. “I thought it would be nice to have an event that is nice, positive and colourful with smiling faces and it would be a nice contribution to the town. “Of course there is economic benefits to encouraging events like this which has been detailed through independent surveys. It was my giving back to a sport I love so much.”