Gold Coast, Queensland (Monday, 26th October 2020) – Professional surfers from all over Queensland will get the opportunity to stoke their competitive flame this weekend at the second leg of the 2020 Australian Open of Surfing series, the Gold Coast Pro, which kicks off this Saturday and will run over two days. The series will provide professional and aspiring surfers with the opportunity to win part of $5,000 in prize money and gain momentum going into 2021. The long-range surf forecast shows 1.5 meter easterly swell pushing through the Gold Coast for the event with northerly winds.
Top female seed and winner of the first leg of the Australian Open of Surfing series (the Sunshine Coast Pro), Sophie McCulloch (Alexandra Headland, QLD), will be one to watch this weekend. As well as winning the Sunshine Coast Pro, McCulloch also took second place at the recent WSL Boost Mobile Pro on South Stradbroke Island in pumping waves, falling just shy of fellow Sunshine Coast surfer Isabella Nichols (Coolum Beach, QLD).
“I’m really excited about the event, I’ve got a lot of momentum heading into it. It’s great to have another opportunity to get back in the rash shirt and compete,” said McCulloch.
“I’m seeing everything as an opportunity to test myself a little bit at events, rather than being so routine. It’s taken a bit of pressure off and it’s definitely worked at the last couple of events.”
Other top female surfers in the draw include Dimity Stoyle (Maroochydore, QLD), Sasha Baker (Mudjimba, QLD) and Piper Harrison (Coolangatta, QLD).
Professional surfer Liam O’Brien (Burleigh Heads, QLD) is looking forward to the event this weekend, after also claiming a second-place finish at the recent Boost Mobile Pro.
“That was unreal to compete at home at such a high-level event,” said O’Brien. “To make it all the way to the final was really special. There were a few beatings that day, but it was a lot of fun – the waves definitely packed a punch.”
“I can’t wait to surf at the Gold Coast Pro this weekend, it will be good to surf at a break I’m familiar with – and it’s a great opportunity to compete.”
Other notable male surfers in the draw include Sunshine Coast Pro winner Cooper Davies (Noosa, QLD), Allister Reginato (Alexandra Headland, QLD) and Noah Stocca (Peregian Beach, QLD).
Surfing Queensland CEO Adam Yates is proud to be hosting the event on the Gold Coast this weekend.
“We can’t wait to see the level of surfing on display over the weekend,” said Yates. “The Australian Open of Surfing series is an exciting platform for both professional and grassroots surfers to compete alongside each other in some of Australia’s top surfing locations, and we’re stoked to be part of a series that has so much future potential.”
2020 Australian Open of Surfing Series Schedule:
Sunshine Coast, QLD – 19th – 20th September 2020
Gold Coast, QLD – 31st October – 1st November 2020
Cronulla, NSW – 8th-9th November 2020
Kiama, NSW – 22nd – 23rd November 2020
Coffs Harbour, NSW – 29th – 30th November 2020
Northern Beaches, NSW – 13th – 14th December 2020
All events will adhere to all COVID-19 policies and regulations outlined by the Queensland Government and council protocols.
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The 2020 Australian Open of Surfing series is proudly supported by Coastalwatch Plus, Surfing World Magazine, H2Coco, The Queensland Government and Surfing Queensland.
Ben Cochrane
Event Manager
bcochrane@surfingqueensland.com.au
+61 432 295 257
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