April Fools’ gags makes waves across the industry

1st April, April Fool’s Day, saw a range of jokes from across the industry test the gullibility of Australians and New Zealanders, with Auckland’s Eden Park setting the tone yesterday morning.

A press release advised that New Zealand’s largest venue would be making a bid to host a World Surf League tournament - the Wave Garden of Eden Challenger Series.

Using the Colosseum of Ancient Rome as an example, the press release advised “water will be pumped into the stadium for the … tournament”, with Eden Park Chief Executive, Nick Sautner advising that a waterproof membrane would allow the venue to be flooded with 1 million litres of water.

Emphasising that Eden Park’s content has grown beyond cricket and rugby in recent years, Saunter noted “as we ramp up for events once again, we’re still looking for ways to increase our venue utilisation and carve space for new events in our lineup.”

Later in the day, after considerable media interest Sautner added “given the level of interest and excitement around Eden Park holding the proposed event, we might need to consider exploring this concept further.

“In the meantime, it’s been great that all of Auckland has had a laugh and I can promise you no water has been spilt and no fish were harmed in the making of the story.”

In Melbourne Lord Mayor, Sally Capp announced that in the wake of the zip line that operated over the Tarra River during summer, the city would launch a waterslide depositing riders into the murky Yarra River.

On the NSW Central Coast, the Australian Reptile Park advised that “in a dangerous and deadly world-first” it was taking one of its leading exhibits, Elvis the giant Saltwater Crocodile to nearby Terrigal Beach for “enrichment” activities, stating that “families, including young children, watched on in amazement as the 4.5 metre predator splashed around in the shallows and caught a few waves alongside local surfers”. 

None of Australasian Leisure Management’s news posted yesterday was an April Fool’s Day joke.

Images: The concept for Eden Park's surf park (top, credit: Eden Park), Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp's tweet about the Yarra River waterslide (middle) and Elvis the saltwater crocodile frolicking in the waves off the NSW Central Coast at Terrigal Beach (below, credit: Australian Reptile Park).