STARS ALIGN FOR PERFECT PRO
IT looks like even Huey — the fabled surf god — might send solid swells for the 2018 Flight Centre Burleigh Pro this weekend.
Pumping surf up to 2m could greet the finalists of the competition, which is Queensland’s only World Surf League qualifying series event.
But Surfing Queensland boss Adam Yates said the focus of this year’s event wasn’t entirely on the waves.
Mr Yates said organisers were hoping to attract families with a range of activities on the hill at Burleigh.
“We’ve spent a lot of time and effort building up a community-based event with more of a festival approach,” Mr Yates said.
Activity areas for kids, two tents for food and drink and a live music stage are part of the largest competition area to be constructed for the event in recent years.
“Ultimately we’re trying to bring in more families,” Mr Yates said.
He said quality surf should make for exciting competition at the world renowned point break.
“It’s looking like it will be an absolutely awesome event,” he said.
Future Gold Coast surfing champions Kobie Enright, Alyssa Lock and Ellie Brooks are listed at the top three seeds of the women’s event.
In the men’s event local boardriders Nick Callister, Toby Mossop, Sheldon Simkus and last year’s champion Oney Anwar will do battle with surfers from around the world.