Tweed Coast set to take centre stage
THE South Stradbroke Island leg of the Australian Grand Slam of Surfing is meant to be the opening event of the series but border restrictions could force organisers to shift the Tweed Coast Pro into top spot.
World professional surfing is set to burst back on to the Tweed Coast point breaks at Fingal and Cabarita as part of the World Surf League’s brand new slam series.
The three-event series also includes a contest in Western Australia.
The waiting period for all three events runs from September 1 to October 31 and with the current border restrictions it’s likely the WSL will need to run the Tweed Coast Pro first.
There is no official postponement in place yet, with WSL officials at the mercy of border restrictions.
The Tweed Coast may not get the right swell until October and by then the Queensland border restrictions may ease. It’s been six months since the World Professional body of surfing has been able to host a professional competition due to COVID-19.
The broadcast-only ‘strike mission’ style events will see WSL surfers based in Australia given just three days’ notice within the competition window, to travel to each location to compete over two days.
Surf conditions will determine which location is surfed and when to make sure surfers compete in the best conditions possible. Other high-profile international professionals such as seven times world women’s champion Stephanie Gilmore, Burleigh’s Liam O’Brien, North Stradbroke Ethan Ewing and Sunshine Coast’s Isabella Nichols are expected to compete.
A trials event is to be held prior for local surfers.
A super legends heat is planned with former world champs Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson taking on former World Tour mates Dean
“Dingo” Morrison and Bede Durbidge.
The WSL will be working closely with the local Juraki Surf Indigenous Community and the Cabarita Boardriders Club on the Tweed Coast Pro.
Two local Best of the Best heats (male and female) will see local Tweed Coast surfers vying it out for a position in the main event draws, while four up-and-coming junior surfers from Juraki will surf an Indigenous Expression Session, both of which will be broadcast live globally.