Following advice today by the Prime Minister to suspend all non-essential gatherings of 500 or more people, the 2020 Surf Coast Trek has now been cancelled.
We understand this is a disappointing outcome, but the wellbeing and safety of our participants, volunteers, suppliers and staff is always our first priority.
We are extremely thankful for the overwhelming support for this year’s event and your understanding during this unprecedented situation.
We are looking at ways we can keep the community spirit of the Surf Coast Trek alive through the creation of a virtual event. We will have more information on this concept to come next week.
We will also be offering participants full refunds of registration fees. We will provide further details early next week on how to obtain a refund.
If you are yet to collect your pack, you can still visit the Give Where You Live Foundation office at 18 Myers St, Geelong to collect it. Collections will now only be available during business hours, with tomorrow’s scheduled pick up no longer going ahead.
We look forward to trekking with you when the event returns in 2021. Once again, we thank you for your patience and understanding at this difficult time.
On behalf of the Surf Coast Trek Committee, Bill Mithen CEO Give Where You Live Foundation and Shaun Cannon CEO Kids Plus Foundation.
Please see an updated list of FAQs regarding the cancellation below.
Why has the Surf Coast Trek been cancelled?
Following advice by the Prime Minister to suspend all non-essential gatherings of 500 or more people, the 2020 Surf Coast Trek has been cancelled. We understand this is a disappointing outcome, but the wellbeing and safety of our participants, volunteers, suppliers and staff is always our first priority. Cancelling the event will mitigate any further risk to participants, volunteers and staff of the spread of COVID-19.
Can it be rescheduled?
The Surf Coast Trek is the result of nine months of work and planning from the small team of staff at the Give Where You Live and Kids Plus Foundations. With this in mind, as well as the strict tide requirements, suitable trekking weather, the availability of the walking track itself, suppliers and the current uncertain climate of mass events, unfortunately the Surf Coast Trek cannot be rescheduled for 2020.
We are looking at ways we can keep the community spirit of the Surf Coast Trek alive through the creation of a virtual event. We look forward to trekking with you when the event returns in 2021.
Will I get a refund and how?
We are offering trekkers a full refund of their registration fee for the 2020 Surf Coast Trek. If you would like your registration fee refunded, the team captain or the individual who purchased the registration will need to complete an online form, confirming the details (names and credit card) that you registered with to enable us to process the refund. These people will be receiving a separate email with the link to this form by 5pm on Wednesday 18 March. We anticipate the refund process could take up to 30 working days from receipt of your form.
What if I don’t want a refund, what happens to my registration fee?
If you choose not to claim your refund, it will be shared between Kids Plus and Give Where You Live Foundations and contribute to the expenses that have already been incurred by the Foundations in the planning of the 2020 Surf Coast Trek.
What happens to fundraising?
Kids Plus and Give Where You Live Foundations would sincerely like to thank all trekkers and their supporters who have generously donated to the 2020 Surf Coast Trek’s fundraising tally. The support we receive from the Surf Coast Trek is invaluable to the work in our community. Funds raised from the Surf Coast Trek are essential to the operations of both Foundations and the work we undertake across the wider Geelong community. All funds raised will be split equally between Kids Plus Foundation and Give Where you Live Foundation as planned. All donations made by supporters over $2 are tax deductible. To find out more about Kids Plus Foundation click here and Give Where You Live Foundation click here.
Can I still collect my Trek pack?
Yes, we’d love for you to come and collect your pack. If you would like to collect your pack, please visit the Give Where You Live Foundation office at 18 Myers St, Geelong during business hours. If you are feeling unwell, we ask that you please let us know at info@surfcoasttrek.com.au and make alternative arrangements. If the situation changes we will notify trekkers on social media.
Can I register for the 2021 Surf Coast Trek now?
Thank you for your interest in joining us for the 2021 Surf Coast Trek! Unfortunately confirmation of next year’s date needs to be made before we can open up registrations. Every trekker who is registered for the 2020 Surf Coast Trek will get priority access to register for the 2021 event. We hope to have these details sent to trekkers later this year.
