13/09/2026
🏆 WAVE RALLY WINS AUSTRALIAN SAILING WA SPORT PROMOTION AWARD! 🏆
We’re incredibly happy to announce that the Wave Rally World Championships in Geraldton has won the Sport Promotion Award at the Western Australian Sailing Awards, with event organiser Paul van Bellen receiving the honour on behalf of the event.
From Australian Sailing - WA, “The Wave Rally World Championships is recognised for its outstanding contribution to the promotion of sailing and windsurfing through the delivery of a truly world-class international event. Bringing together 73 competitors aged from 14 to 72, including 17 international sailors from eight countries, the event achieved remarkable growth in audience engagement, with Facebook views increasing by more than 700% to over 814,000 and YouTube views growing by 550% to more than 50,000, while also delivering an estimated economic benefit of over $126,000 to the Mid West region, demonstrating excellence in participation, innovation, community engagement and the global promotion of our sport.”
Wave Rally is a Geraldton born event, created right here in the Mid West and developed into an internationally recognised windsurfing championship. This award is a fantastic recognition of what the event has achieved —showcasing windsurfing in an exciting new format, promoting Geraldton and the Mid West, and taking our sport to a much wider audience through high-quality media, video and event coverage.
It is also a wonderful result for the region. Events like Wave Rally bring competitors, supporters and visitors to Geraldton, create opportunities for local businesses, showcase the Mid West to audiences around Australia and overseas, and highlight the incredible conditions and lifestyle our region has to offer.
What started as an idea to create something different has grown into an internationally recognised windsurfing event, bringing competitors, supporters and viewers together from around Australia and overseas.
This award belongs to everyone who has helped make Wave Rally possible, our competitors, volunteers, sponsors, Windsurfing WA, supporters, media partners and the Geraldton community.
A huge thank you to Australian Sailing for recognising the work being done to promote our sport.
We’re proud that this Geraldton born event is making such a positive contribution to the Mid West and we’re even more excited about where Wave Rally is heading next.
