There’s no denying the fact that last year’s 2012 Australian Open was a huge hit for both the athletes and the spectators. It was held just over a year ago back in February 2012, and included surfing, skateboarding, live concerts, performances, great good, and an authentic down-under vibe that drew thousands of people to the beach. Unfortunately, there’s no Australian Open scheduled for this year, so you’ll have to wait a while to catch the event again. The good news, however, is that Sydney’s breathtaking and historic Manly Beach is set to hold the 2013 Australian Open.
Taking a Look at The Australian Open
According to some reports, as many as 160,000 people flocked to the beach during the previous 2012 Australian Open. It was a huge hit that generated millions of dollars in revenue for the area. As a result of its success, several major surfing associations have sponsored and backed the upcoming 2014 Australian Open at Manly Beach. This is welcomed news to those anticipating whether or not the event would even come back.
So, just who exactly is backing the 2014 Australian Open? Some of the sponsors include Billabong Pro, Hurley, Manly Council and the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP).
The massive number of tourists and attendants brought in by the previous Australian Open forced organizers to postpone the 2013 date to the following 2014 year. Billabong’s Scott Wallace made the following press statement regarding the decision to push back the Australian Open “There are not many new events that immediately attract 60,000 plus people for a single day’s competition.” When you look at like this, I guess it’s in everyone’s best interest for a later date, as the event will be more organized and better suited to meet the needs of 100,000+ people.
Sydney’s Manly Beach
The 2014 Australian Open will take place on none other than Sydney’s Manly Beach. This beautiful and historic beach was named by Capt. Arthur Phillip who took notice of the fearless indigenous people inhabiting it. He wrote in a journal stating the indigenous people were “manly,” and that’s how the beach got its name. It’s a truly breathtaking and stunning beach that’s well worth the visit if you ever find yourself along Australia’s northern coast. Contrary to what some people may believe, it’s typically not overly crowded either.
Manly beach also has several natural coves, all of which are prime hotspots for surfing, snorkeling and swimming. Whether or not these coves will be used in the 2014 Australian Open is yet to be determined.