GIRL POWER
SURFING Queensland’s premier series will include a women’s division for the first time this year in a bid to provide the state’s best female surfers with an elite development pathway.
The men’s Queensland Championship Circuit has long been Surfing Queensland’s premier event series and includes stops at some of the state’s most iconic breaks including Currumbin Alley and Kirra Point on the Gold Coast.
Changes to the historic series will see the introduction of an open women’s division.
Surfing Queensland chief executive Adam Yates said the peak body was excited to see the QCC series expand.
“Queensland has been known to produce some of the best female surfers in the world and we want to continue to provide opportunities and support for the development of our athletes,” Yates said.
Defending Queensland open women’s champion Piper Harrison said the decision to include the women was an exciting development.
“I think this will definitely push us a lot further with our surfing,” the Coolangatta surfer said.
“Having different event locations and being able to watch the men surf in the same conditions will be great.
“The guys are always really supportive and help to push our surfing as well.
“Being able to surf at the three event locations with only four others out will be epic and is a real honour for me. Being part of this series will also give females the opportunity for more media coverage and exposure, I’m sure the girls will be ripping.”
The three-event series will kick off at the Michael Peterson (MP) Classic set to be held at Kirra Point on May 12-13 before wrapping up at Currumbin Alley in June.
Overall winners of both the men’s and women’s divisions will receive a wildcard to the 2019 Quiksilver and Roxy Pro trials at Snapper Rocks.
Past QCC champions include World Surf League Championship Tour and Qualifying Series surfers Nathan Hedge, Damon Harvey, Mitch Parkinson, Thomas Woods, Nick Vasicek and Corey Ziems.
MP Classic ............................ May 12-13 Sunshine Coast Classic ......... June 2-3 Alley Classic ........................ June 16-17