- WSL
- WSL

After a decade long hiatus, a World Surf League sanctioned professional surfing event is set to return to Avoca, with the Central Coast Pro and Subway Surf Series Pro Junior slated for February 2016.

The elite three-day WSL Qualifying Series (QS) 1000 event will run from 9th - 11th February, with the Subway Surf Series Pro Junior occupying the following weekend. The QS event will form the third of four stops on the recently announced NSW Pro Surf Series.

144 of Australia's and the world's most promising male and female surfers will compete in the QS event, while a further 88 will compete in the Pro Junior.

Surfing NSW CEO Mark Windon is excited to see such a high caliber event return to the Central Coast region.

"Surfing NSW are over the moon to see such a quality event return to Avoca," Windon said. "We were fortunate enough to host a range of Billabong Pro Junior and Pro Teen events in the area a decade or so ago and have fond memories of that time. We can't wait to come back to the idyllic region."

Gosford City Mayor Lawrie McKinna is looking forward to seeing some of Australia's best surfers battling against the local surfing contingent.

"I'm looking forward to seeing world class surfing finally return to the wave rich Central Coast during next year's WSL QS event," Mckinna said. "Avoca Beach is the perfect spot, not only to show the world how good our beaches are, but also for our rich local surfing talent to stand up and show off their skills."

Local World Tour surfer and surf coach Glenn "Micro" Hall was fortunate enough to win the Billabong Pro Junior event when it was in Avoca in 2001 and thinks the event will provide the ideal opportunity for up-and-coming locals to showcase their skills.

"The Central Coast Pro is a perfect platform for the local talent pool," Hall said. "It's been a long time since the Pro Junior Series has taken place at Avoca, so it's great to see an event of that stature return to the Central Coast."

More news on the Subway Surf Series Pro Junior will be released in the weeks leading up to the event.

The NSW Pro Surf Series was developed for Australian and international surfers to gain ranking points and prize money on the WSL Qualifying Series. The Series also creates a NSW coastal road trip for all to explore the variety of waves, visit local communities and enjoy NSW surfing culture.

The 2016 NSW Pro Surf Series is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. The series is also proudly supported by Randwick City Council, Gosford City Council, Destination Tweed, Great Lakes Council & Tourism, NBN, World Surf League and Surfing NSW.

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