Global Sea Otter mountain bike festival to be held on NSW South Coast

The Sea Otter Classic, one of the world's largest mountain bike events, is coming to Australia for the first time with the announcement that it will staged at Batemans Bay and Mogo on the NSW South Coast in October 2025.

The event, which draws a massive 80,000 participants to its April event in the USA state of California each year, will be hosted by Rocky Trail Entertainment, becoming only the second licensed Sea Otter event in the world outside of the USA alongside Sea Otter Europe in Girona, Spain.

While detailed planning for the event is some way off, Sea Otter Australia is expected to cater for racers of all levels and riding styles with a diverse range of racing and riding events, including gravity enduro, downhill, cross-country.

To be held in Batemans Bay and on the neighbouring Mogo mountain bike trails, Juliane Wisata, Chief Executive of Sea Otter Australia and co-founder of Rocky Trail Entertainment, explains “with Sea Otter Australia, we're not just about pinning on numbers and chasing podiums - we're about igniting a passion for cycling in every heart that rolls through our gates.

"From adrenaline-pumping races to leisurely cruises on the trails, from industry insights at the Summit to community celebrations in the town, we're creating an immersive experience that celebrates the entire cycling ecosystem. It's about shredding, racing and riding the awesome Mogo Trails, discovering the latest gear, and connecting with fellow riders on and off the tracks - all while leaving a positive legacy for the Mogo region.”

Martin Wisata, Chief Operating Officer of Sea Otter Australia and Managing Director of Rocky Trail Entertainment, said that the event was only possible on the Mogo Trails because of the Eurobodalla Shire Council’s commitment to restoring the region after the fires.

He noted “our work has always been about building a community, and Sea Otter Australia aligns perfectly with the region's vision, becoming part of a resilient community.

“We are inspired by the resilience of the people Mogo who have been rebuilding the landscape, the town, and lives after the 2020 fires ravaged through the region. Our team has been establishing the Mogo Trails and with Sea Otter Australia we're doing our bit to create an annual flagship event that will put the network and the region on the global cycling stage.”

Welcoming the hosting of the event, Batemans Bay Mountain Bike Club President, Jamie Clout told the ABC "people just keep pinching each other saying, 'can you believe this is happening?'"

Clout said hosting the event would bring global credibility to the Mogo trail network, which is expected to officially open to the public in coming months, commenting “it says this venue is a legitimate top class mountain biking area, and it makes it happen almost instantly.

"It takes Mogo to the next level and puts it very firmly on the global stage.

"It's going to allow the people in this local community so many opportunities to engage with mountain biking in a really interesting, fascinating and fun way.

"It's a total game changer for the local economy and community."

Images: The Sea Otter Australia event will run in 2025 (top, credit: Next Level Mountain Bike), the Rocky Trail Entertainment team that will be hosting the event (middle) and the Mogo trail network (below, credit: Next Level Mountain Bike).