On April 2nd, 2022, under cloudy skies, and with a stiff breeze, the Surf Coast Trek was held. Once again Kardinia Rotary Club members were out in force to help with parking and bus management, start line logistics, manning drink stations and following up the field as tail End Charlies. In excess of 650 people tackled either the 38 km Aireys Inlet to Torquay or the 25 km Angelsea to Torquay treks along the Surf Coast Trail. The weather was not ideal and proved more of a challenge than previous years however, in addition to our formal roles, we are able to provide encouragement and support for participants undertaking this challenging walk.
The 2022 event is on track to raise approximately $210,000 to be shared equally between the Give Where You Live and Kids+ Foundations.
The Surf Coast Trek is a joint fundraising event run by the Give Where You Live and Kids+ Foundations, with funds raised shared equally between the 2 organisations. The inaugural event was held in 2016 and it has been held each year since then, with the exception of 2020 due to COVID restrictions. The Trek involves either a 38 km walk from Aireys Inlet to Torquay, or a 25 km walk from Anglesea to Torquay, along the picturesque Surf Coast Trail.
Kardinia Rotary Club is the main provider of volunteers for the event, providing support for event planning and logistics, pre-event packing participant bags and event day drink station manning and marshalling and Tail End Charlies. In 2019 Kardinia RC committed to supporting this event for a minimum of 5 years providing in excess of 40 volunteers on the day.
The event has grown in participation each year with well in excess of $1,250,000 raised over the 7 years since inception. It has become a fixture in many peoples annual event calendars with many repeat walkers.