Issuu

Dane flying high in the Netherlands

By Jo Kennett

RISING MURWILLUMBAH moun-

tain bike star and Red Bull Rookie of the Year Dane Folpp will compete in the Red Bull District Ride in the Netherlands this weekend against the world’s best slopestyle mountain bikers.

Dane had been having a bit of trouble practising before he left, as it had hardly stopped raining in the Tweed, but managed to get a few indoor sessions in to prepare for the event.

As part of his prize for winning the Red Bull Rookie of the Year, Dane

secured a wildcard entry to compete in the first 2026 Diamond World Tour stop with the world’s top 12 riders in March in Rotorua, New Zealand.

Dane put his competitors on notice, finishing sixth in the Diamond-level event, which was the headline finale of the 2026 Crankworx Rotorua festival and the second stop of the newly formed Slopestyle Super League.

In May, Dane travelled to Slovakia to compete in the Gold Slopestyle event at BikeFest Kálnica, part of the Slopestyle Super League and FMB World Tour.

Once again, Dane competed against the best in the world, with 15 male athletes advancing to the finals after two fiercely contested qualification rounds.

Dane placed fifth in the finals, which his mother Tanya described as “an incredible result.”

Dane is currently ranked seventh in the Open Men’s Freeride Mountain Bike World Tour.

Dane has now arrived in the Netherlands to compete at the Red Bull

District Ride on July 24-25.

“This is a prestigious competition held once every four years,” Dane’s mother Tanya told The Weekly.

“Red Bull District Ride transforms the city centre of Groningen in the Netherlands into a custom-built urban course where buildings, town squares, streets and urban spaces feature massive jumps, ramps and gaps for riders to showcase their technical tricks, amplitude, creativity and style in front of thousands of spectators.

“The riders will be judged in three different districts and scored on execution, difficulty, style, creativity and overall flow.

“The event will be broadcast live on YouTube via Red Bull TV and at www.redbull.com/au-en/events/ red-bull-district-ride/red-bull-districtride-format.

“After the Netherlands, Dane will travel to Whistler, Canada, for his next Diamond event, Rhapsody Slopestyle, on August 2. You can find details and watch Dane compete at www.crankworx.com/whistler/events/

slopestyle.

“He will then compete at the Crankworx SilverStar Slopestyle FMB Gold event in Vernon, British Columbia, Canada, on August 9.

“We are beyond excited for Dane and would love the Tweed community to follow his journey and wish him well,” Tanya said.

“As you know, the weather has been challenging for Dane to practise at his compound at home because of so much mud and slosh. However, his training has involved daily trips to Ipswich and Brisbane to ride at Ramp Attack and The Village, two indoor skate parks that have been a godsend during this wet weather.”

When he’s not competing, the 19-year-old works at Northern Rivers Cycles and Bike Hire Shop in Mooball, where his biggest supporters, apart from his family, post regular updates on Dane’s progress on social media.

Watch this weekend’s event live on YouTube via Red Bull TV.

Lachy’s breakthrough surfing win

By Jo Kennett

KINGSCLIFF SURFER Lachlan

Arghyros has won the World Surf League (WSL) Traeger Grills Pro Junior, his first Pro Junior victory, with a buzzer-beating air at Lennox Head’s Seven Mile Beach on Sunday, July 12.

The week-long event was run under varying conditions, wrapping up in clean two-to-three foot surf.

Held as a part of the 15th annual Soundboks Oz Grom Open, which also features a Surfing Australia Junior Series competition, the event attracted the best surfers 20-and-under from across the Australia / Oceania region.

Lachy turned around a slow start to his season in a big way, claiming his first WSL victory and climbing into the top 10 on the Australia/Oceania Junior Tour rankings, putting him in line for a spot at the WSL World Junior Championships in the Philip-

pines next year.

Previously only making it out of his opening heat in his very first Pro Junior in 2023, the 16-year-old made it all the way to the top after taking out Sol Gruendling (AUS) in the Quarterfinals, along with two former event runners-up, Mitchell Peterson (AUS) in the Semifinals and Rico Haybittle (NZL) in the Final.

It was a nail-biting finish. Trailing with a two-wave total of 9.84 to Rico Haybittle’s 9.93, Lachy needed a 4.77 in the final minute when he landed a buzzer-beating backhand reverse.

Lachy had built a soft lead early before Rico opened with the highest number of the Final, a 6.83, thanks to a solid two-turn backhand combo. Eventually backing it up with the same combo, Rico took the lead in the last five minutes, before Lachy delivered the final punch, joining the prestigious list of previous event winners, including 2024 winner and

Hot property

reigning world champ Dane Henry.

“Wow, I didn’t even know what to say,” Arghyros said afterwards.

“Right before my heat I was talking to Davi [Glazer] about trying to do a punt, and my other heats I tried and just got nowhere near. I waited with priority, did the first snap and it didn’t click as well as I thought it would, so I was like, I’m going to have to go big here to get a 4.70, and then stuck that punt I was trying to do the whole time.

“It was just kind of meant to be.

“Last year I was watching Dane Henry, and I wasn’t really expecting much this year either. I think that’s what brought me to the win, just surfing and not putting pressure on myself, and sometimes that’s the best thing that can happen.”

Later Lachy posted to Instagram that it felt “like a breakthrough moment for me and makes me realise that hard work really does pay off

eventually and if you keep working harder and harder with your wins, the sky is the limit.”

“I feel like I haven’t done anywhere near my best surfing in a rashie yet, and to know that I won a comp surf-

ing how I did makes me fired up to show more and more of it through the rest of the year,” Lachy said. “Got bigger things in mind for this year and this is a good step in the right direction.”

Wharf Street Commercial Tweed Heads

THIS WEEK’S Hot Property is an affordable professional suite for lease in the heart of Tweed Heads brimming with potential. Positioned on the first floor of The Professional Centre on Wharf Street, this immaculate and modern 40sqm professional suite presents an outstanding leasing opportunity for businesses seeking a well-appointed workspace in a central Tweed Heads location.

It features a separate reception area, a spacious open consulting room or boardroom, a contemporary built-in kitchenette and abundant natural light, creating a welcoming and functional

environment for clients and staff alike.

Ducted air conditioning throughout the building ensures year-round comfort, while the property also includes one undercover car space for added convenience.

The Professional Centre is home to a diverse mix of commercial tenants, making it an ideal base for a range of professional services. Offered at $24,000 per annum, including GST and outgoings, this represents excellent value in a sought-after commercial precinct.

For more information, contact Melissa Young on 0487 210 773 or Brittney White on 0418 615 734.

Lachy in the finals Photo Aaron Hughes

Real Estate

FROM COAST TO COUNTRY

Agent of the Week: Nick Witheriff

By Jo Kennett

OUR AGENT of the Week is Nick Witheriff, Director and Head of Witheriff Group and one of the Tweed Coast’s leading real estate professionals with years of experience across residential and commercial property.

Having negotiated more than $2 billion in property sales, Nick has earned a reputation as the region’s foremost beachfront specialist, setting record sales while building lasting client relationships. He is known for his market expertise, integrity and client-first approach. We caught up with Nick to find out more.

HAVE YOU ALWAYS WORKED IN REAL ESTATE AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO THE INDUSTRY?

I’ve been fortunate enough to work in real estate since I was 19. Twentytwo years ago I started in Brisbane selling commercial real estate for a large corporate company called CBRE. After 10 years in Brisbane, my wife and I moved back to the Tweed Coast when we got married about 10 years ago and set up the business here in Kingscliff. We have always been from the Tweed Coast, and moving home to start a family was what inspired us to establish our business. The industry has been part of me basically since leaving school and it’s

Open Homes

Saturday, July 25

Raine & Horne Jet

• 88 Rous River Way, Murwillumbah, 9.30-10am

• 63 Tyalgum Road, Byangum, 10-10.30am

• 46 Brisbane Street, Murwillumbah, 11-11.30am

• 1243 Kyogle Road. Uki, 11-11.30am

• 837 Nobbys Creek Road, Nobbys Creek, 12-1pm

• 3 Panorama View, Kunghur, 12-2.30pm

• 20 Panorama View, Kunghur, 12-2.30pm

• 2981 Kyogle Road, Kunghur, 12-2.30pm DJ Stringer

• 65/955 Golden Four Dr, Currumbin, 9-9.30am

• 4/29 Teemangum St, Tugun, 9-9.30am

• 2101/18-20 Stuart St, Tweed Heads, 9.30-10am

been my core career focus, so I’ve been really blessed to enjoy an outstanding career.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT THE INDUSTRY AND WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?

We’re always working in an everchanging and very dynamic landscape, so no day is the same. Probably the thing I love the most is welcoming active retired folk and families who are calling the Tweed Coast home. We’ve got an array of different properties we sell, but seeing the joy in their faces when they arrive into a new community, then seeing them 12 months later immersed in new friendship circles and various groups, is really rewarding.

IS THERE ANY TYPE OF PROPERTY YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF MOST EXPERT IN OR PASSIONATE ABOUT?

I’ve had a long-standing track record of selling high-end beachfront homes and my core focus is probably the higher-end market. The beachfront across the Tweed Coast has continued to show growth over the last 10 years, and the people we’re welcoming into those properties are becoming lifelong friends. It’s been a really special thing to have a focus on selling some of the most beautiful homes we have here in the area.

• 6/2 Surf St, Bilinga, 10-10.30am

• 6/241 Golden Four Dr, Bilinga, 10-10.30am

• 2/38 Garrick St, Coolangatta, 10.15-10.45am

• 1 & 2/8 Triton St, Tweed Heads, 11-11.30am

• 28/6-8 Thomson St, Tweed Heads 11.00-11.30am

• 5/18 Dutton St, Coolangatta, 11.45-12.15pm

• 29 Townsend Cres, Terranora, 12-12.30pm

• 54 The Quarterdeck, Tweed Heads, 12-12.30pm

• 25/22 Binya Ave, Tweed Heads, 12.30-1pm First National Murwillumbah

• 25-27 Irving Street, Tumbulgum, 9.30-10am

• 86 Kings Gully Road, Dunbible, 10.45 -11.15am

• 30 Riverbend Way, Murwillumbah, 11-11.30am

• 25 Thomas St, Bray Park, 11-11.30am

• 2471 Kyogle Road, Terragon, 12.15-12.45pm

RBR Property Consultants

• 3/3 Johnston St, Bilinga, 9.30-10am

• 1/77 McLean St, Coolangatta, 10.30-11am

WHO ARE YOU SEEING BUYING PROPERTIES AT THE MOMENT AND WHERE ARE THEY MOSTLY COMING FROM?

There are an array of different people, but in our coastal market between Fingal and Pottsville, 80 per cent of buyers are buying to live here. Of those, 50 per cent are active retired folk and 50 per cent are young families moving into the area, whether for new employment or a change in lifestyle from the city. We probably get about a third coming from Sydney, a third from the Gold Coast and Brisbane, and the other third is locals moving around. There is only a minor number coming from Victoria.

WHAT’S

THE BIGGEST CHANGE YOU’VE SEEN ACROSS THE MARKET OVER THE PAST YEAR?

Probably the biggest change we’ve noticed has been buyer confidence. We’re doing a lot more work to ensure buyers are clear on values and move with less emotion and more confidence in data. In previous years we saw more emotionally driven purchases, whereas at the moment buyers are making sure they’re not overpaying and we are providing support with data to help them understand that. The majority are moving to live here and everyone needs a roof over their head, so I’m still seeing some

• 3/36 Soorley St, Tweed Heads Sth, 10.30-11am

• 2/24 Hill St, Tweed Heads,11.30am-12pm

• 16 Dalton St, Terranora, 12.30-1pm

• 13/12-16 Cupania Crt, Tweed Heads West, 11.30am-12pm

• 122 Broadwater Espl, Bilambil Heights, 12.30-1pm

• 473 Numinbah Rd, Nobbys Creek, 2-2.30pm

• 501/19 Winston St, Coolangatta, 12-12.30pm

Tate Brownlee

• 1055/20-22 Stuart Street, Tweed Heads, 9-9.30am

• 2074/20 Stuart Street, Tweed Heads, 9-9.30am

• 22 Australia, Terranora, 9-9.30am

• 4 Hibiscus Parade, Banora Point, 9-9.30am

• 108 Darlington Drive, Banora Point, 10-10.30am

• 26 Champagne Dve, Tweed Heads Sth, 10-10.30am

• 34/74 Greenway Dve, Tweed Heads, 10-10.30am

• 17/74 Greenway Drive, Tweed Heads,10-10.30am

• 38 Curtawilla Street, Banora Point, 10-10.30am

really positive signs in the market.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR SELLERS?

Spending time to prepare the home for sale has never been more important. Buyers are enjoying more options and making decisions based on certainty. Where there’s uncertainty around costs, whether that’s maintenance, building works or opportunistic pricing, preparing the home to present it in its best light and taking the advice of the agent or even a bank valuation to ensure you’re going to market with realistic expectations will help you achieve a quick and good outcome. We’ve seen examples this year where properties have sat on the market for six months, only to sell for less than they were offered early in the process.

ANY ADVICE FOR BUYERS?

There are some great opportunities for buyers at the moment. My advice is to move clearly and quickly when securing a property. If you can provide certainty to sellers you’re more likely to receive a discount on price. When you’re not organised before making offers, sellers are more cautious about accepting conditions because of the uncertainty and the risk of delaying their sales campaign. There are still plenty of great opportunities to get into the market locally.

• 43 Henry Lawson Drive, Terranora, 10-10.30am

• 33 Liriope St, Casuarina, 11-11.30am

• 13 Clifford Crescent, Banora Point, 11-11.30am

• 2 Azalea Court, Banora Point, 11-11.30am

• 37 The Hermitage, Tweed Heads Sth, 12-12.30pm

• 3 Avondale Drive, Banora Point, 12-12.30pm

• 16 Bosun Boulevard, Banora Point, 12-12.30pm

• 158/2 Falcon Way, Tweed Heads South,1-1.30pm

• 2/6 Eastlakes Drive, Tweed Heads South, 1-1.30pm

• 14 Valleyview, Terranora, 1-1.30pm

• 17 Townsend Cres, Terranora, 2-2.30pm

• 1/23 Lochlomond Drive, Banora Point, 2-2.30pm

• 5/8 Marian Street, Tweed Heads, 2-2.30pm Schmith Estate Agents

• 1 Fingal Road Fingal Head, 9-9.30am

• 104/170 Bardon Ave Burleigh Waters, 1.30-2pm

• 5/38 Pacific Parade Bilinga, 2.30-3pm

• 205/120 Marine Parade Coolangatta, 3.30-4pm

THE DOWNSIZER EVENT

A Morning Tea & Information Session

Wednesday July 29 | 10:00AM

Babalou Kingscliff Beach

Considering downsizing but not sure where to start?

Join Witheriff Group for an informative and relaxed morning designed to help guide you through the downsizing journey with confidence.

2 2

Perfectly positioned within the iconic Reflection on the Sea, this expansive three-bedroom residence delivers an exceptional combination of space, privacy and effortless indoor-outdoor living. The generous open plan design flows seamlessly to an enormous private terrace, creating the perfect setting for entertaining or simply unwinding in one of Coolangatta's most sought-after beachfront addresses. With patrolled beaches, vibrant cafés, awardwinning restaurants, boutique shopping and everyday conveniences all at your doorstep, this is luxury coastal living without compromise.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

1 FINGAL ROAD, FINGAL HEAD

Positioned opposite the Tweed River in one of the Tweed Coast's most tightly held communities, this charming coastal cottage offers an enviable lifestyle with exciting potential to make it your own. Rich in character with beautiful timber floors, a flexible dual living layout and a large double garage/workshop, it's the perfect opportunity for first home buyers, young families, tradies or investors to secure a foothold in sought-after Fingal Head. Whether you're searching for a weekend escape, family home or your next project, this is an opportunity to secure one of the Tweed Coast's most authentic beachside lifestyles. THE