Aquatic Ski Show to make a splash on Australia Day!

Family favourites ‘The Smurfs’ will launch Penrith’s free 2012 Australia Day celebrations at the International Regatta Centre on 26 January from 6pm.
Penrith City Mayor Greg Davies said children and the young at heart would go wild with the evening line up, featuring Smurfs Character Shows and the chance to get up close to The Smurfs when they do a meet and greet.
“The ever popular Smurfs will grace the stage from 6pm, so grab your seat early. You can also meet The Smurfs in person,” Councillor Davies said.
“The Sims Metal Management Extreme FMX & Aquatic Ski Shows are not-to-be-missed, with one lucky audience member to become the proud owner of a new Yamaha Jet Ski valued at $12,000 courtesy of Sims Metal Management.
“Fans can also get excited about singer-songwriter and 2008 Australian Idol winner Wes Carr performing live. Wes Carr will gear everyone up for Penrith’s Australia Day climax; the Fireworks Spectacular presented by Endeavour Energy at 9pm.
“To avoid the typically searing heat of the past, all the best acts that residents have come to expect from Penrith’s Australia Day festivities have been packed into an early evening show with intergenerational appeal.
“Parking is open from 5pm, with entry from 5.30pm. It’s advised to take the free accessible shuttle bus service from the northern side of Penrith Station from 5pm, which will make getting to and from the event a breeze. Plan your day by visiting www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 736 836.”
Program of events:
· Smurfs Character Show
· Trampoline Flip and Trick Contest
· Sims Metal Management Extreme FMX & Aquatic Ski Show
· Smurfs Meet and Greet
· Tribute to Local 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Athletes
· F1 & F2 Superboats Live Demonstration
· Sims Metal Management Extreme FMX & Aquatic Ski Show
· Performance by Jellybean Jam
· Live Performance from Wes Carr
· Sims Metal Management Jet Ski Prize Draw
· Fireworks Spectacular presented by Endeavour Energy
Australia Day at the Sydney International Regatta Centre, Penrith Lakes is presented by Penrith City Council and supported by Endeavour Energy, Sims Metal Management, Penrith Lakes, Sport and Recreation – a division of Communities NSW, Panthers World of Entertainment Penrith, Vintage 87.6 FM, Woolworths, the Western Weekender, Hix Group Pty Ltd, Penrith City Star, Fusion 87.8 FM, Blue Mountains Bus Company and Channel Nine.
Australia Day at Penrith Lakes is a pet-free and non BYO alcohol event. No glass or unsealed bottles are permitted.
Find out more:
For updates and all the latest news and photos ‘Like’ the Australia Day at Penrith Lakes Facebook page or visit www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au. Alternately call 1300 736 836 for general information or to find out about wet weather arrangements should it rain on the day.

Australia Day is coming!

With the stunning Blue Mountains as the backdrop, our Sydney International Regatta Centre will play host to an Australia Day show that has something for everyone. From live performances by Wes Carr and Jelly Bean Jam to the Smurfs, this is truly an all-ages event.
Thrill seekers will be on the edge of their seats as Australia’s premier wakeboarders and Xtreme water-skiers perform back flips and stunts that will leave you gasping.
Back on dry land, strap yourself in for the world renowned extreme sport FMX champions, Nitro Circus who will take you on one wild ride!
For those wanting a slightly slower pace, the audience can enjoy a stunning theatrical Cirque Ballet Show, a spectacular journey over land and water fusing acrobatics and dance.
Finally, spectacular digital water performance choreographed to music and lighting will ignite the senses and leave the audience breathless.
And what party would be complete without a stunning fireworks display by the internationally acclaimed Howard and Sons.
So come and ignite your national pride and experience a party like never before. Australia Day in Penrith City will be the place to be, a great opportunity to celebrate all that we have in our great city and all that is good about being Australian.

World class rowing returns to Penrith Valley

Building on a record medal haul at the 2011 World Rowing Championships in Bled Slovenia, Rowing Australia together with the NSW Government through ‘Destination NSW,’ has secured the rights to stage the opening round of the prestigious Samsung World Rowing Cup in 2013 and 2014.
The events will be staged at the International Regatta Centre (SIRC), Penrith Lakes, a legacy venue of the Sydney 2000 Games.International Rowing Federation (FISA) President Denis Oswald commented, “The FISA Council’s decision to attribute the first World Rowing Cup of 2013 to Sydney returns international rowing to Sydney and marks an important new era in our sport. Supported by our Title Partner Samsung, we are taking our sport global, to the southern hemisphere thus enabling us to reach new fans and extend our season.
"We are really pleased to be partnering with Rowing Australia and ‘Destination NSW’. We know Australians deliver great events and that this exciting development in our sport will be widely embraced by the world’s rowing community.”
"We're delighted to have been awarded the opening rounds of the World Rowing Cup in 2013 and 2014 by FISA" said Colin Smith, President of Rowing Australia. "It's an honour to be able to bring the best rowers in the world back to Sydney to compete at one of the best rowing facilities in the world (SIRC)."
Hosting these events will benefit the sport of rowing and the people of NSW in a variety of ways. There will be immediate benefits to the economy of many hundreds of athletes, coaches, support staff and spectators coming to Sydney for training camps and competition. Media coverage and event broadcasts will mean the eyes of the rowing world will once again be on Western Sydney.
"For Australian rowing, it will showcase our sport and provide inspiration to everyone who watches the event, and particularly to our next generation of elite athletes."Mr Smith added, Even though the formal announcement was only just made in Slovenia, preparations have already commenced. We have an Organising Committee already looking at all aspects of the event and talking with international coaches and teams.
"On the back of our great results here in Slovenia just one year before the London 2012 Olympic Games, it's an exciting time for Rowing in Australia - and we look forward to making the most of these two wonderful opportunities," Mr Smith concluded.

Lightning on the Lakes

The Australian Formula Powerboat Series will draw to its thrilling finale on August 27 & 28 with the countries top racers descending on the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith to battle it out for top honours.
The series which attracts boats in the Formula 1, Formula 2 and Formula 3 outboard classes plus 6litre Pro Stock inboards and a healthy fleet of the best juniors, has been to Taree, Grafton and Port Macquarie before Penrith in 2011 and has produced some of the most exciting and closest racing in years.
This year, an international flavour will be a part of the weekend’s racing when multiple Malaysian Powerboat Champion, Yanto Kadri, will debut a brand new boat which he will use as training to join the World F1 Powerboat Series in China this October.
In Formula 1, the awesome 220kph hi tech machines that can subject the drivers to over three g’s of force in the turns, the battle looks like it will be the highlight of the season with Queensland Damien McKenzie, undefeated all year, now up against current Victorian Champion, Paul Eade in the Bud Light Seebold. McKenzie lost the championship last year on this course to the local Shane Vella and is out to secure his first national crown
Throw in a display and demo from the 2000hp World Blown Alcohol Champion, Troy Marland and his boat “Madness”, the awesome 6litre Pro Stock class, the largest field of junior boats ever and the title decider in Formula 3, the future training ground for Formula 1 and The Lightning on the Lake Grand Finale at Penrith is set to be the best show on water ever to hit the Regatta Centre.
This year the Lightning on the Lake, Anglomoil Formula Powerboat Finale will be racing to support the Violet Foundation. A great cause that raises money and awareness of the terrible Meningococcal Disease.
The Formula Powerboat Grand Prix is proudly supported by Penrith City Council.
Entry is $10 per car, activities for the kids, car displays, race cars, Paul Madills unbelievable 200mph drag boat. It is a weekend for the whole family

Music and dance under the stars

Sydney Dance Company & Australian Chamber Orchestra Music and dance under the stars is coming to the Sydney International Regatta Centre, Penrith on January 23 at 8pm.
This new performance experience brings two of the finest performing arts companies, the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Sydney Dance Company, out of the theatre and into a relaxed environment for a thrilling double bill.
Under the direction of Assistant Leader, Satu Vänskä, the Australian Chamber Orchestra performs a special Festival program created around Summer from Vivaldi's Four Seasons, before Sydney Dance Company takes to the stage for an explosive performance of 6 Breaths, Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela's stunningly athletic 2010 creation with music by Ezio Bosso - a magnificent outdoor showcase for some of Australia's finest dancers.
In between, some of Western Sydney 's brightest young talents join the Australian Chamber Orchestra in Thinking about Forever, a new composition by Matt hew Hindson with choreography by Kay Armstrong. The work features Parramatta String Players and youMOVE Company in collaboration with Western Sydney Dance Action.
Bring a blanket and a picnic, settle back and soak up the best Sydney has to offer with music and dance on a summer evening under the stars.
Event Information
Cost - FreeTime - Gates open at 5pm
Program runs 8pm - 10pm
Penrith City Council is a proud sponsor of this event.