- WSL / Tom Bennett
- WSL / Tom Bennett

The New South Wales Mid-North Coast has to be one of the most idyllic stretches of surf coast on the planet. The combination of beach beaks, points and reefs catching swells from all directions and offer surfers year-round waves in pristine, clear waters. Not to mention the amazing backdrops of the green rolling hills that separate the Tasman Sea from the Great Lakes, it truly is a beautiful place.

Maddy Job Won his Round 1 heat at the Komunity Project Great Lakes Pro The northern end of the Boomerang turned it on in 2017. Let's hope for more of the same in 2018. - WSL / Tom Bennett

At the centre of this geological masterpiece is the Pacific Palms area and the beautiful Boomerang Beach, one of the most wave- rich locations in the area. For the next week or so, though, it might be tough to get a wave, as more than 180 Qualifying Series (QS) surfers will arrive for the Vissla event.

The elite, five-day event -- which will be the third of four QS events on the Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series -- will be returning to Boomerang for the third straight year and looks to continue its amazing run of providing epic surf for some of the worlds best QS competitors.

After earning a runner-up finish at the 2017 event in cooking waves, Merewether's Philippa Anderson is eager to go one step further when the event gets underway in 2018.

"The Great Lakes area always produces quality surf when we have events there, so hopefully 2018 is no different," said Anderson. "I spend a lot of time up here surfing with my brother, so it's always a joy when we get waves this good, so close to home. I was so stoked to get a runner-up finish to Macy Callaghan at this event last year, so hopefully I can go the extra step and claim a win when the event kicks off."

Philippa Anderson won her Round 1 heat at the Komunity Project Great Lakes Pro at Bommerang Beach Philippa Anderson will be a clear favourite when competition gets underway. - WSL / Tom Bennett

The Vissla Great Lakes Pro pres. by D'Blanc, part of the NSW Pro Surf Series, is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead said:

"The Great Lakes Pro showcases the stunning Mid North Coast region to hundreds of surfers and fans from around the world. As part of the NSW Pro Surf Series, this event provides a significant boost to local businesses and accommodation providers and I'm looking forward to seeing Boomerang Beach packed with competitors and spectators in February."

Keanu Asing wins the Komunity Project Great Lakes Pro Keanu Asing won the event in 2017, and it kick-started his year of re-qualifying for the CT. - WSL / Tom Bennett
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