Professional surfers from all over Queensland will get the opportunity to stoke their competitive flame this weekend at the first leg of the 2020 Australian Open of Surfing series, which kicks off tomorrow on the Sunshine Coast and will run over two days. The series will provide professional and aspiring surfers with the opportunity to win $5,000 in prize money and gain momentum going into 2021. The surf forecast shows a 3-4ft easterly swell pushing through to the Sunshine Coast in time for the event, along with moderate winds.
Female top seed and Sunshine Coast local Sophie McCulloch (Alexandra Headland, QLD) is stoked to see professional surfing to return to Queensland this weekend.
“It should be fun to get back in the rash shirt and compete again,” said McCulloch. “The last time I competed individually was back in March, so I’m definitely excited.”
Other top female surfers in the draw include Dimity Stoyle (Maroochydore, QLD), Ellie Brooks (Elanora, QLD), Vittoria Farmer (Noosa Heads, QLD) and Piper Harrison (Coolangatta, QLD).
Fellow professional surfer Liam O’Brien (Burleigh Heads, QLD) is looking forward to getting into a competition rash-shirt once again, after a long period of no events being run.
“It’s unreal to have something to look forward to again,” said O’Brien. “It’ll be nice to have something to work toward; something to put our training into practice. It can be hard to get motivated when there’s nothing that we’re training for – the most exciting part is getting motivated again.”
“I always loved the open format of surfing, like the Queensland Championship Circuit in the past. It’ll be fun to compete for the love of it.”
Other top male surfers in the draw include Sheldon Simkus (Gold Coast, QLD), Alister Reginato (Alexandra Headland, QLD) and Noah Stocca (Peregian Beach, QLD).
Sunshine Coast Economy Portfolio Councillor Terry Landsberg said he was excited to welcome elite surfing back to the Sunshine Coast in 2020.
“Events like this are incredibly important for the Sunshine Coast,” said Landsberg. “It’s also a wonderful opportunity to get these professional athletes back in the water after such a long break between competitions. We’re looking forward to seeing the event back on the Sunshine Coast in the future.”
Surfing Queensland CEO Adam Yates is proud to be hosting the event in Queensland.
“We’re incredibly excited to be a part of this series, and can’t wait to see the level of surfing brought out on 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 The Sunshine Coast Council and Visit Sunshine Coast, official destination partners of the event, The Gold Coast City Council, Coastalwatch Plus, Surfing World Magazine, H2Coco, The Queensland Government and Surfing Queensland.
