One of surfing's staple events is set to return July 26 - 28 with the women's Qualifying Series (QS) Nissan Super Girl Pro and remains the largest all-women's surfing contest in the world for the last 12 years when it began as a Pro Junior. Now in its eighth year as QS 6,000, the event continues to draw some of the world's best that has seen the likes of 7-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore all the way down to competitors getting their careers started such as 12-year-old Caitlin Simmers.
The event will serve as the only major all-women's WSL QS event in North America and plays a critical role for surfers looking to solidify their position on the 2020 WSL Women's World Championship Tour (CT). The nationally televised event is the largest all-female surf contest in the world, with more than 100 top pro surfers scheduled to compete.
"The Super Girl Pro is a great platform to showcase the women of our sport from World Champions to the next generation all in one weekend," WSL Tours and Competitions Jessi Miley-Dyer said. "It's incredible to see this opportunity return to the schedule once more with 6,000 points that can really change a surfer's year around and put them in contention to qualify for the Championship Tour. We can't wait to see who gets the honorary Super Girl cape this year!"
Up-and-coming talents such as Alyssa Spencer, who currently sits at No. 4 on the QS rankings can make a serious charge toward qualification with a result in Oceanside. - WSL / Kurt Steinmetz
Some of the world-class surfers registered to compete include icons such as Bethany Hamilton, 3-time World Champion Carissa Moore, current World No. 5 Caroline Marks, former Super Girl champions Lakey Peterson, Tatiana Weston-Webb, Malia Manuel, Sage Erickson, and Coco Ho, and star surfer Alana Blanchard.
"Everyone is so excited about this event," said two-time winner (2012, 2014) Erickson. "It's so awesome to have a contest like this that focuses entirely on women's surfing. The whole festival gets bigger each year, and the crowds are huge. It's amazing to see how many incredible things are going on at the event that all speak to the female empowerment theme. It's my favorite event of the year!"
Erickson searches for a third Super Girl cape and major points toward 2020 CT re-qualification. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
In addition to the best surfing in the world, the event features an action-packed Festival Village with 20 live concerts, the only all-women's multi-title esports tournament in the U.S., an all-female DJ contest, a female fitness challenge, yoga, Pilates, fitness and dance classes, speakers, autographs, beauty makeovers, a Celebrity Surf Invitational, 40 vendor booths, and many other activities.
The event is proud to announce Natasha Bedingfield as the headline performer on the Radio Disney Stage. The Grammy-nominated, Platinum recording artist will be performing her many hits in addition to new music from her forthcoming album for the first time.
The music brings in a dynamic that suits the festival atmosphere perfectly with numerous acts throughout the weekend sharing the stage. - WSL / Kurt Steinmetz
"So happy to be a part of such an amazing event highlighting so many badass women!" said Bedingfield. "Girls need more things like this to see an example of what's possible... everything."
The complete entertainment and music lineup will be announced in coming weeks.
Nissan, in conjunction with the California Nissan Dealers, has increased its participation in 2019 with the goal to help foster equality and inclusion for women as part of a multi-year commitment to becoming the event's Title Partner.
"Nissan is proud to become the title sponsor of the Super Girl Pro Series events in California," said Shawn Mirabal, regional vice president, Nissan North America. "With the addition of the title sponsorships at the Super Girl Surf and Snow Pro events, our company has the opportunity to help inspire the next generation of women. We look forward to the event, and to celebrating female strength, independence and empowerment through action sports."
The weekend crowd on the pier brings in the arena aspect to surfing that only a few venues around the world can offer. - WSL / Kurt Steinmetz
The event will run daily from July 26 through July 28, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Access to the surfing, concerts, esports, classes and all elements are free to attend.
The event is televised on FOX Sports and live streamed via 15 partners.
For more information, please visit www.SupergirlPro.com or www.WorldSurfLeague.com. To connect via social media, follow @SupergirlPro on Instagram and Twitter, or visit Facebook.com/SupergirlPro.