A new cycling festival experience is on its way to Australia this year. Sea Otter Australia is set to debut at Canberra’s Stromlo Forest Park on October 1-4, 2021.
‘Sea Otter Australia will offer spectators and riders a contemporary cycling adventure like no other, nestled in Stromlo Forest Park, Australia’s premier ‘whole of cycling experience centre’. The event will include all things cycling; a consumer expo featuring all the latest product releases, mountain bike riding, road and gravel riding, urban riding, demo bikes and much more for all ages and levels of riders. Sea Otter is famous for its family-friendly programs.’
Attendees will also have the chance to experience ROMP!, a curated festival experience featuring music, food, brews of all sorts, cycle chic fashion parades, and film screenings.
Set to be the first experience of its kind in cycling lifestyle focused entertainment – ROMP! will be a… ‘celebratory adventure where participants can dive into the cross pollination of cycling lifestyles in the Expo oasis. There really is something for everyone aged 8 to 80 years.’
The festival follows the popular North American original Sea Otter Classic, which celebrates its 30th year in 2021 and is billed as the world’s premiere cycling festival. Held in Monterey, California, annually in April, the event has come to represent a ‘season opener’ to the North American bicycle industry and a key venue for product launches, festival fun, races and unique events.
Frank Yohannan, CEO and founder of the Sea Otter Classic, said “We have always been about providing quality riding and racing in a family festival environment. It is the only celebration of cycling that incorporates all riding disciplines and all cycling product categories wrapped up in a four-day experience. It is hard to see and do it all.”
The Sea Otter experience is now presented in Europe (Girona, Spain) and Canada (Blue Mountain) – with Australia now added.
“And now, for October 2021, we are very excited to have partnered with BikeSA to host Sea Otter Australia for the first time in the southern hemisphere”, said Yohannan.
BikeSA Chief Executive Officer, Christian Haag, said “We are honoured to be bringing this festival to Australia. It’s time that bicycle riders across the Australasian region have the opportunity to experience a totally new cycling festival experience. One that celebrates the breadth of our multi-faceted cycling culture – on-road and off-road, for fun, health, recreation, competition and transport. And of course, the latest bikes and bling, fashion, music and brews in our expo village.”
Pushys has been announced as the first confirmed event sponsor, with more sponsors expected to unveiled in the coming weeks.
Major event sponsor, Shane Wolki of Pushys, said “Pushys is delighted that Sea Otter is coming to Canberra and we’re looking forward to supporting this great event. We’ve attended the Sea Otter Classic in the USA and know this format will be very popular down under. Australia is in need of an event like Sea Otter and Stromlo is the ideal venue with great facilities and easy access.”
Graeme Moffett at Pon.Bike, importer of the premium brands such as Focus, Cervélo and Kalkhoff, said “This event will provide riders, spectators and enthusiasts alike with the opportunity to experience all facets of cycling in one place, in a true festival atmosphere.”
Jason Pye, Country Manager at Trek ANZ, added “We are very excited to be part of such an iconic event like Sea Otter. Especially as it is now hosted in Canberra, Australia. At Trek, our mission is to get more people on bikes, which aligns perfectly with Sea Otter Australia’s festival and celebration for all cyclists throughout the country.”
BikeSA is also working collaboratively with, and has the support of, local cycling groups and community organisations to coordinate a series of legacy programs for the local ACT (Australian Capital Territory) community. This aims to encourage greater cycling participation beyond the festival itself.
Pedal Power ACT Executive Officer, Ian Ross, said “We’re really excited to align with the festival and announce the hosting of Fitzs’ Challenge 2021 as the Gran Fondo event for Sea Otter Australia. We look forward to all our previous participants returning, and attracting even greater numbers as part of this festival weekend.”
