- WSL / Tim Hain
- WSL / Tim Hain

With the festivities well underway at the 2018 Newcastle Surfest, the second World Surf League event in its schedule, the James Bros. Longboard Classic LQS event is set to kick-off at Merewether tomorrow.

Site Surfest Site - WSL / Paul Danovaro

Two-time World Longboard Champion Harley Ingleby is stoked to see an international longboard event return to Newcastle. With small clean conditions forecasted, Ingleby will be a clear favourite to take out the event in it's first year.

"It's great to have a new event on the calendar," Ingleby said. "Having it attached to Surfest and the other WSL events is really cool as it should help it gain the attention it deserves. We used to have a Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event in Newcastle back in the day and it always provided great waves, I'm excited to be heading back there to compete, it is always fun time. I hope the addition of this event is the start of something and we keep seeing LQS events pop up around Australia and the world."

Ingleby won't be the only Longboard royalty in attendance, with current World Longboard Champion, Taylor Jensen also among the field. Other LCT competitors include Nic Jones, Jack Entwislte along with Nava Young in the Women's division.

Nava Young Nava Young will be one to watch in the Women's division. - WSL / Tom Bennett

WSL Longboard Commissioner Will Hayden-Smith is thrilled to see some of the sports biggest names make the journey to Newcastle for the inaugural James Bros. Longboard Classic.

"It's a real testament to the James Bros. Longboard Classic along with the greater longboarding community to see some of the sports biggest names heading to the event," Hayden-Smith said. "It's going to be a really exciting way to kick off the 2018 season and I can't wait to see the world's best lighting up Merewether beach."

All of the action at the James Bros. Longboard Classic LQS kicks-off tomorrow morning at Merewether Beach at 8:00 am. for more information and images heat to www.world surfleague.com or check out the free WSL App.

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