- WSL / Grant Sproule
- WSL / Grant Sproule

One of the longest-running surfing events in the world, the Hakstar Mattara Pro officially signs on as a WSL Qualifying Series event for its 54th Anniversary. The event will run at Bar Beach, Newcastle, NSW on October 17 - 18 2015 and will hold a QS 1,000 rating.

John Harvey, Surfing Newcastle spokesman and Hakstar Mattara Pro Contest Director is really proud of the history of the Hakstar Mattara Pro and its prestigious list of former event champions including; Nat Young, Roger Clements, father and son Bob and Travis Lynch, Peter ‘PT' Townend, Mark Richards, Michael ‘MP' Peterson, Damien Hardman, Drew Courtney twice, Glenn Hall and Ryan Callinan, also twice.

"I have the 53 winners list right in front of me and it's full of some impressive names," Harvey said. "This is the 54th year and we've been trying to keep it going so we're really proud to upgrade it this year. In the olden days it was the most prestigious event in Australia. A lot of the local surfers have done well in this event and we're all proud to have this one in our backyard. There's been excellent surf this winter to we are all looking forward to getting the event underway."

Talented Newcastle local Jackson Baker is currently juggling High School commitments and campaigning at international QS events and will be looking for a solid result in his hometown.

"I was super stoked when I heard that the Hakstar Mattara Pro had turned into a WSL QS event," Baker said. "I'm so excited to have another event in my hometown! This event is massive for Newcastle, it's one of the longest running in events in Australia and it would be an honor to take a win in the event."

The race for the WSL Australasia Regional QS rating's lead is heating up with only three events remaining. The No. 1-ranked surfer at year's end will get seeded into all the QS 6,000 and QS 10,000 event for the first half of the year until the rankings are reseeded.

"These QS 1,000 events are so important, if you finish the season ranked number one then it can really accelerate your career," said WSL Australasia Tour Manager Will Hayden-Smith. "WSL are really excited to finally sanction the Hakstar Mattara Pro, it's one of the most prestigious events in the country and we're really looking forward to spending some time in Newcastle this October."

World Surf League
Download it for free on the App store. Download it for free on Google Play.