- WSL / Ethan Smith
- WSL / Ethan Smith

Local surfers Carl Wright, Sophie Fletcher, Harry de Roth and Sage Goldsbury have been awarded wildcards to the Phillip Island Pro presented by Bass Coast Shire that begins next week. Both Wright and Fletcher were awarded the wildcards after taking out the Victorian Open Series in 2019, whilst de Roth and Goldsbury were awarded wildcards by Phillip Island Boardriders Club.

Trials winner Carl Wright (AUS) is eliminated from the 2018 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach after placing second in Heat 1 of Round 2 at Bells Beach, VIC, Australia. Carl Wright will return to competition this week on home soil for the Phillip Island Pro. - WSL / Kelly Cestari

"I'm so stoked" said Fletcher. "Getting a wildcard into the event is awesome as it allows you to jump straight to the second round. I love having a QS at home and being able to stay in your own bed. We are so lucky on Phillip Island, there are plenty of surfing options and it's such a beautiful part of the world."

Sophie Fletcher Sophie Fletcher. - WSL / Tim Hain

The Phillip Island Pro provides opportunities for Victorian's to earn points on the World Qualifying Series and get closer to qualifying to the World Championship Tour. With an upgrade of points in the Women's event to a QS1500, the event will provide more points to the female contingent of surfers.

"This event can be the stepping stone for Victorian's to earn some valuable points on the QS and improve their ranking" said Surfing Victoria CEO, Adam Robertson. "Without these events in our backyard, it makes those first steps to qualification much harder and the support of the Bass Coast Shire and Victorian Government allows the events to happen."

Cape Woolmai Cape Woolmai will play as the primary event site for competition. - WSL / Surfing Vic

The Phillip Island Pro will begin Thursday 7th November and conclude on Sunday 10th November.

The general public are encouraged to attend all of the surfing across the weekend along with the Opening Ceremony that will be Thursday morning at 7:30am at Cape Woolamai (Location dependent on conditions). Keep an eye on the Surfing Victoria social media pages for up to date location of the event.

Surfing Victoria will also be running the highly acclaimed Surfers Rescue 24/7 program on Saturday at Cape Woolamai. The program is a FREE CPR and Board Rescue Course that has been specifically designed for surfers. Interested participants can enter via www.surfingvic.com

Live scores and news can be found online at www.worldsurfleague.com

The Phillip Island Pro is presented by the Bass Coast Shire and Sport and Recreation Victoria's Significant Sporting Events Program and supported by Ramada Phillip Island, Coastalwatch, Cancer Council Sunscreen, Kings Cars and Surfing World Magazine.

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