The World Surf League is set to return to the Tweed Coast in 2021 with the Tweed Coast Pro Qualifying Series (QS) 5,000 event and Pro Junior Event to run between June 19 and 25, 2021. It will be the last event for the 2021 WSL Australia / Oceania Qualifying Series and play a huge role in deciding who represents the region on the 2021 WSL Challenger Series.
"The WSL is excited to be returning to the picturesque and wave rich Tweed Coast in 2021," said WSL APAC General Manager Andrew Stark. "WSL is expecting over 200 of Australia and New Zealand's best up and coming talent to descend on the region for the event which will play a massive role in qualifying surfers to the Challenger Series to run later this year. Qualifying Series events are a key part of the pathway for aspiring competitive surfers and the Tweed Coast Pro will be the most pivotal event on the 2021 calendar for emerging talent. We'd like to thank the New South Wales government for continuing to support the WSL and our events at all levels along with Tweed Shire Council."
The Tweed Coast Pro QS5,000 is expected to attract the best surfers from Australia and New Zealand with over 200 competitors in both the men's and women's along with over 100 competitors for the Junior division. Along with event staff, the huge influx of people is sure to be a massive boost to the local economy in the Tweed region.
"Some of Australia's best and emerging surfers and around 10,000 supporters are expected to attend the event, which follows on from the two successful WSL Championship Tour competitions held in Narrabeen and Newcastle in April 2021," said New South Wales Deputy Premier John Barilaro. "The Tweed Coast Pro will help showcase our stunning natural coastline and fantastic facilities to the world and bring in much needed tourism dollars to our regions, leveraging off the success of the recent NSW WSL events.
"Surfing and the Tweed Coast go hand in hand so we're excited to welcome the World Surf League back in 2021," said Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry. "The Tweed Coast Pro event will showcase some of the biggest names in surfing - including our own local stars - competing on the Tweed's world-class surf breaks. This event will be a boost to local businesses as well as promoting the beautiful attributes of the Tweed to a global audience. The WSL has a great track record of running professional, COVID-Safe events and we look forward to having the competition back in June."
Currently sitting fourth on the WSL Australia / Oceania Qualifying Series rankings, Gold Coast surfer Liam O'Brien is hoping to solidify himself a spot on the Challenger Series with a solid result at the Tweed Coast Pro. Hailing from just over the border, O'Brien is no stranger to the abundance of great waves the Tweed Coast has to offer.
"It's fantastic that WSL events are back up and running all over Australia across multiple ratings and it really does get our aspirational careers going again" O'Brien said. "With a variety of excellent waves on offer throughout the Tweed coastline I'm excited and looking forward to this event and there's certain to be a huge field of excellent surfers relishing this opportunity and focusing on getting a great result."
The 2021 Tweed Coast Pro QS5,000 and Pro Junior Events are set to run on the Tweed Coast from June 19 - 25. For more information on the event head to www.worldsurfleague.com or download the Free WSL App.