- WSL / Damien Poullenot
- WSL / Damien Poullenot
Mitch Crews Former CT competitor Mitch Crews is the top seed for the 2017 Flight Centre Burleigh Pro. - WSL / Bennett

The countdown to one of Queensland's most anticipated surfing events is almost over where the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) has returned to one of the world's most iconic waves at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast with the exciting installment running over four days during the Australia Day weekend.

With the event beginning in less than two-days time, exciting news has just surfaced where current Men's WSL Championship Tour (CT) athlete, Bede Durbidge will now be competing in the Flight Centre Burleigh Pro.

After taking almost a full year off his competitive agenda due to a significant injury at the Pipe Masters in December 2015, Durbidge will be using the Flight Centre Burleigh Pro as a playing field to get back into his competitive rhythm in preparation for his 2017 CT campaign.

Bede Durbidge readies for heat 2 round one of the billabong pipe masters Durbige will use the Flight Centre Pro as the perfect warm up for his return to the CT in 2017. - WSL / tony heff

"I'm feeling really good after having almost a whole year off competitive surfing last year and I'm now really keen to get back into the swing of things," says Durbidge. "Event's like the Flight Centre Burleigh Pro offer the perfect playing field for me to get back into my competitive rhythm when competing. The guys that compete in the QS events are all so good and this is sure to challenge my ability to perform at my best in preparation for a big year ahead,"

Other big names within the Men's draw include former Championship Tour surfers, Mitch Crews who won the Burleigh Pro in 2015, Ricardo Christie and Nathan ‘The Hog' Hedge.

Nathan Hedge 'The Hog' will be one to watch on the long walls of Burleigh. - WSL / Smith

Alongside a strong contingent of Men's surfers within the event includes 48 of some of the world's best female surfers vying for those all import QS ratings points that go towards their quest to qualify for the Women's Championship Tour.

Macy Callaghan World Junior Champ Macy Callaghan is on a devistaing role at the moment and will know doubt bring it to Burleigh. - WSL
World Surf League
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