- WSL
- WSL

With less than a week to go until the start of the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy, Brad 'Gerr' Gerlach has joined the lineup as a last-minute replacement for Tom Curren, who was forced to withdraw due to a rib injury.

"I am honored to compete in the Champions Trophy," said Gerlach, a newcomer to the contest. "I have been on Four Seasons Explorer three times before and loved the experience, not to mention the beautiful water and waves of the Maldives. There is no better live-aboard charter vessel in the world for surfing and it will be the ultimate base for a surfing event."

Brad Gerlach visits the ASP Desk in preparation of his Heritage heat against Martin Potter. Gerr - WSL

Gerlach joins an amazing roster of past and present WSL surfers for the fifth installment of the boutique contest, including Sofia Mulanovich (PER), Neco Padaratz (BRA) Shane Dorian (HAW) Harley Ingleby (AUS) and iconic freesurfer Dave Rastovich (AUS).

"I am so excited about the surfers that I will be hanging with and competing against," said Gerlach. "They are all lovely people that I have been fortunate enough to get to know over my 40 years of wave riding."

It was 30 years ago this September that Gerlach exploded onto the international surf scene, when the then unknown 19-year-old, first-year pro beat reigning two-time world champion, Tom Carroll, in the final of the Stubbies Pro International Surfing Tournament.

Brad Gerlach. Photo provided by Tom Servais Gerr can displace a fair amount of water. - WSL / TOM SERVAIS

Making it to No. 2 in the world in 1991 and winning a Billabong XXL Award in the mid-2000s (with a 68-foot beast of a wave at Todos Santos, Mexico), he is renowned for his flamboyance and competitiveness -- traits he is looking forward to showcasing against his old rivals.

"I can't help but think about the competitive animal that lies within all of us," concluded Gerlach. "That is something that makes this more than just a surf trip. I am fired up."

For more information visit: www.surfingchampionstrophy.com

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