Australia’s best to surf perfect waves at URBNSURF

MORE than 120 of Australia/Oceania’s best surfers will travel to URBNSURF next weekend for the World Surf League (WSL) BYD Pro 3000-point world qualifying series event.

The February 3 event will see athletes carve it up in perfect waves to clinch a spot in higher ranked qualifying series (QS) events and the 2024 Challenger Series.

Jan Juc surfer Tully Wylie is second on the regional QS, and a solid result at the highly-rated event could see the 23-year-old inch closer to the 2024 Challenger Series and a Championship Tour berth.

Fellow local and 2022 Rip Curl Pro URBNSURF QS1000 winner Xavier Huxtable will also feature in the draw alongside regional QS leaders Dakoda Walters and Phillipa Anderson, former world tour competitor Nikki Van Dijk, newly crowned WSL World Junior Champion Sierra Kerr and Barwon Heads talent Ellie Harrison.

Huxtable and Harrison said the URBNSURF 3000-point event would carry great weight with it for all surfers in the field.

“I was stoked to take the win at my home state for the QS1000 at URBNSURF in 2022; I’m even more stoked that I’ll get the chance to compete again at URBNSURF, and this time for the BYD Pro QS 3000,” Huxtable said.

“The atmosphere was insane in the water last time, and it’s a really unique competing experience compared to other events.”

“This is one of the biggest WSL events on the calendar, and I’m so excited to be kicking off the 2024 series at URBNSURF,” Harrison added.

“It’s an important one to smash through and gain some points at the start of the calendar year.”

WSL Asia Pacific president Andrew Stark said the WSL was thrilled to be working with Australia’s premier surf park for the event.

“Events in wave systems like this are important to the WSL and a great opportunity for our surfers who get to compete for valuable points and prize money in a scheduled, one-day format.

“We look forward to seeing events like this continue to pop up in other regions around the world and thank the team at URBNSURF Melbourne for the continued support.”

Surfing fans can catch the action in person by purchasing an general admission ticket for just $10.

Live music, DJs and food and drink offerings will be available from on-site restaurant Three Blue Ducks.

The event will also be livestreamed through WSL’s YouTube channel.

For more, head to worldsurfleague.com