This June, Merewether Beach will play host to the inaugural Newcastle Hopper Ball Beach Race.
It’s a brand-new community event that invites locals to bounce their way through a 300-metre race along the shoreline on classic inflatable hopper balls.
Organised by a group of Newcastle locals, the race will stretch from the Merewether Surf Club to the Surfhouse and back. The event is designed to embrace the absurd and reconnect people with their inner child.
With low tide hitting at 10 am, the sand near the waterline is expected to be packed and race-ready—ideal for serious contenders aiming for hopper ball glory. For those more interested in laughs than speed, the softer upper sand will offer plenty of room to wobble and wipe out.
Entry to the event is simple: bring a hopper ball and a gold coin. The donation will go towards a local charity.
“If this takes off, we will see about some prizes for the podium finishers in the adult and kiddie categories, as well as the best-dressed hopper and stuff, but needless to say that the first person across the line will score a Freddo Frog,” organisers said.
The inaugural Newcastle Hopper Ball Beach Race is happening at Merewether Beach on Saturday, 21 June. To register your interest in taking part, and find out more about the race, head to the Facebook event page.
