Less than one month remains until Port Stephens hosts some of the world’s best and most high profile surfers as the Port Stephens Toyota NSW Pro draws near.
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The elite competitions of the NSW Pro – the women’s QS 6000 and men’s QS 1000 – will be staaged at Birubi Beach from November 8 and 13.
Competitor Sage Erickson from the Unites States, currently ranked 14th on the World Surf League Championship Tour, said she is looking forward to returning Port Stephens and finishing her 2018 campaign off with a bang.
“Events of this level make and break years,” Erickson said. “This will be a huge opportunity for me to capitalise on a not so good year on the Championship Tour and confirm my top spot on the QS and the same goes for others.
“Birubi is a great consistent wave as well. Last year we absolutely scored and I’m confident the same will happen this year. I appreciate the commitment from WSL Australia/Oceania for choosing to have a grand finale in such an awesome location.”
Having received a wildcard into the women’s QS 6000 event and currently 10th position on the WSL Championship Tour, Nikki Van Dijk from Phillip Island in Victoria said she is eager to venture north to compete in the Port Stephens Toyota NSW Pro for her first time.
“This will be my first time competing at this event so I'm really excited to suss out Birubi Beach,” Van Dijk said.
“The waves at last year's event looked so good so I'm hoping we get more of the same this year. This is a big event for the QS competitors but also for the Championship Tour surfers as it can help to lock us in on the CT for next year.
“It will also play out as a really good warm up before heading to Maui as the competition will be just as fierce.”
Surfing NSW CEO Luke Madden praised the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders for getting the event off the ground for the second year in a row.
“The Port Stephens Toyota NSW Pro is truly a collaboration of efforts from all stakeholders as well as the local community,” he said.
“I think I speak for all parties when I say that we’re all looking forward to seeing the 2018 women’s qualifying series wrap up in this beautiful part of the world in the forthcoming weeks.”
WSL Australia/Oceania general manager Andrew Stark shared Madden’s excitement at seeing the event return.
“We're really proud to see the 2018 women's qualifying series culminate with a top rated 6000 event on Australian shores,” he said.
“Last year Port Stephens provided incredible waves for our competitors so it is great to be returning to Birubi Beach this year.
“This event is one of the most important on the WSL QS calendar as it will decide who will qualify for the elite Championship Tour in 2019.
“An event of this importance will gain the attention of the surfing world while pitting some of the sport's biggest names against the next generation of World Title hopefuls.”
Joining the men’s QS1000 and women’s QS6000 components of the event will be the Open Women's Pro-AM and Kaos Surf PRD Cadet Cup which will run on the weekend of November 3 and 4.
Both events will give amateur women and promising junior stars the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in women’s surfing.
