Iluka Beach Surf & Yoga

17/02/2023

🤙It's been more than four years since we launched our concept and each time we think we're ready... boy have we dodged some bullets since then; highway upgrade, two floods, major bushfire through Bunjalung, Covid19 and now we find ourselves caught in a 15-20% building cost increase and labour shortages.
Marc's Sri-Lanka surf-camp was wiped out by covid and has recently reopened after two years closure. Marc's Bali surf-camp https://elsewheresurfcamps.com/ which was put on hold for two years is now pumping at capacity, and we're still Iluka Dreaming. We're dusting off the feasibility this week, it's now a $13m project and we're looking for a serious investor. Pass the word friends 🤙

Surf lessons, Surf Guiding, Yoga, Parties & Tours of Sri Lanka. Elsewhere has it all. At only 2 years old we sit at number 2 on Trip Advisor for Weligama. Thanks to our guest for helping make the best Surf / Yoga camps & retreats. Come join the Elsewhere family and let us show you the best surfing a...

01/10/2021

The largest and meanest waves in the world slam into a headland in Portugal called Nazaré. Such is this monster break it often breaks those brave – or crazy ...

01/10/2021

09/09/2021

Hi everyone. I imagine many of you must feel the luckiest people on Earth to be locked down in Iluka. It could be worse, right? One of my friends can’t get out of Columbia, another out of Ireland. My apologies for not keeping our supporters up to date with what’s happening with the Surf&Yoga Resort project, especially some of the younger community which have continually expressed enthusiasm for local employment. Timing of a community-based project such as this is critical for its success, especially now, with the added tourism constraints.
Many obstacles have hampered our progress since we began planning the project viz; pre-Christmas bush fire, floods, highway upgrade, building cost blowout, and now tourism lock-down because of the pandemic. But we feel fortunate not to have commenced as initially planned because by not doing so we have dodged a couple of expensive bullets that could have crippled the first years of operations. That could also have impacted negatively on the village of Iluka. It is of paramount importance to me that this project succeeds not just for us but for the whole community.
The good news is that we have just completed a design revision, nothing major, and have plans out with a couple of building companies to update our building costs. However, now we find that building companies are snowed under because of the crippling effect of the pandemic, so the earliest commencement time has been put forward to sometime in 2022.
We are working on an AltFin funding model. I’m pleased to announce that when that is completed, the local community will be given a pre-launch opportunity to take a stake in the project. Regulations prevent me from providing details at this stage but I’ll keep you posted as we get closer to launch. Keep safe & take the jab! Derk VdB.

03/10/2018

Spring in Iluka is shaping up to be awesome... with a few rumours floating around the village so a quick update. Hi everyone. We're currently fine- tuning the project. Working on phase-two design stage with a local building company and our architects. Progress may seem slow to the locals who have been watching the site slowly being cleared however the good news is that Cameron Bibby our site manager has recycled every bit of the old servo back into the community. Great job Camo. There is quite a bit of planning, engineering and redesign going on and our investment offering is now fully supported. Thanks again for all the great support. On target for 2020.

05/09/2018

With Jesse Lawrence. TV series about Freesurfing by top pro surfers in the best waves on the planet. hosted by Jesse Lawrence.

12/08/2018

Good morning, another beautiful Iluka Sunday. A quick update. Now that the development approval (DA) has been granted we’ve set Xmas 2020 as an opening time to move towards. So, headlong into the next phase; talking to local builders and trades. Still a lot of preliminary work to do such as interior design, building and engineering design, tenders etc. If you have friends looking for work or just interest in Iluka, please share and join our friends group here… Https://www.facebook.com/groups/IlukaBeach/?source_id=2007270936221588

On another topic; Our “Iluka Haiku poetry contest” is off to a slow start, maybe that “event” is missing it’s mark and not getting through. $100 worth of local fishing gear up for grabs. Surely there are a few local bush and fishy poets with something to say… have a go and post a Haiku!
Thanks again for your support. Derk

Information & Support for "Iluka Beach Surf and Yoga Resort." Where we keep it real! Supporting local residents, jobs, local business and investment.

23/07/2018

Hi Everyone, I you haven't done so already, don't forget to join our group for regular updates and events.

17/07/2018

ONE STEP CLOSER!

After 12 months of planning, Clarence Valley Councillors today approved Surf&Yoga P/L development application for a 40-room resort by an 8-1 vote in favour. (concept video on this page). The Project Director, Derk Vanderbent expects that when operational the resort could add up to three million dollars per annum to the community’s economy.

"Local residents are keen for new employment opportunities in the area, and business is keen to embrace a new holiday destination with a modern accommodation approach" said Mr Vanderbent. "The resort will have a surfing-fitness center and promote Eco-tourism with a focus on the traditional home of the Yagal and Bundjalung people".

The World Heritage listed Iluka Nature Reserve and Bundjalung National Park are a short walk from the site. The resort has been approved with an 18m lap-pool, gym, room-spas, bunk-rooms, massage, rooftop yoga deck and basement parking for 43 cars. The multi-million-dollar resort with a-la-cart restaurant and bar replaces an old petrol-station which has been derelict for over 14 years. The resort will add a new exciting face to the entrance of Iluka village precinct. Planned to be a venue for functions, sporting groups and local and international tourists alike. Guests will have a choice of elite spa-rooms, family rooms and poshtell style bunk-rooms for group bookings.

“We chose Iluka for the same reasons everybody comes here, the small coastal village atmosphere, already catering for surfers, golfers, bowlers and fisherfolk. With tennis-courts an oval, skate-park and bowling-green across the road and a short walk to local shopping, top surfing and fishing spots, bused in tourists won’t need a car” said Mr. Vanderbent. “Everything visitors need, is within walking distance. We have the interests of Iluka at heart and plan to promote the ecology of the area. The local community is excited and have been awesome with their support. We are also excited about our project, we love Iluka and plan to add to its visitor appeal.”

12/07/2018

Awesome result! 😎
The Clarence Valley Council environment, planning and community committee approved our Surf&Yoga project yesterday, 12th Jul 2018. For those interested in the meeting and Derk Vanderbent's deputation to the committee, it’s available on the council’s podcast. The original concept video is available here on this page and on www.surfandyogaresorts.com
The full report next week after the monthly council’s meeting and the final vote. Thanks to all the locals for your support.

09/05/2018

Hi everyone, our plans have been well received by the community and are with local council for development approval and are on track to be approved some time in June. Our ambitious target for completion is to be operational by Christmas 2019. However there is still a lot of planning to do and we are putting it out there to see if there is any suitable investor interest that would complement the spirit of the project. So please "like" the page and share with friends. Regular updates promised.