Sydney to Host Final Women's QS6,000 of 2016

Sally Fitzgibbons is set to host the Sydney International Pro, which will form part of an inaugural International Beach Festival at Cronulla from 3 - 6 November, 2016. The four-day event which will showcase our iconic lifestyle where sand meets sea. As host, Fitzgibbons wanted to offer an holistic beach lifestyle event which heralds healthy living alongside surf. To spearhead a new beach culture cross-over the festival will include a WSL Women's (Qualifying Series) QS6,000, plus a fun run, ocean swim, Ironwoman Invitational, beach fashion exhibits, live fitness workouts, kids zone, organic markets and an open-air cinema.

"This is a great opportunity for women's surfing, we will have some of the best female surfers in the world here along with local boardriders, a girls junior comp and a Pro Assist for groms, it's only fitting that we bring them together in a nostalgic setting like Cronulla Beach. It's a fantastic chance for Sydney to get behind women's surfing and be part of an amazing beach culture festival where we have something for the whole family."

WSL Deputy Commissioner Jessi Miley-Dyer is over the moon about the inclusion, and the planned lifestyle activations surrounding the event.

"This event will be a fantastic addition to the QS as one of the biggest women's events in Australia, and I'm excited to be finalizing the Women's CT qualifiers in Sydney," Miley-Dyer said. "It will be hugely important in deciding the overall rankings for the 2016 Women's Qualifying Series. The Sydney International will also be a celebration of women's sport and will include plenty of activities to involve the whole community in what is sure to be an action packed weekend."

Australia's beach culture isn't more proud than that of our Aussie female surf stars, and The Sydney International is expected to attract a high quality field as it will be the last chance for athletes to secure points before the final Championship Tour event of the season in Hawaii.

Sutherland Shire Mayor, Carmelo Pesce is proud to have the first Sydney International take place in Cronulla. "This is a great opportunity to showcase to the world what Cronulla has to offer, in the surf, on the sand and in the streets, shops and restaurants. We're really proud to be hosting the International Beach Festival and the world class women's surfing event. Women's surfing in Cronulla dates back to the Kurranulla Wahinies in the 1960's and continues to this day with the strong local club, the Cronulla Girls Boardriders."

The first of the International Beach Festival's major partners announced is Jewel Residences, a multi-million dollar residential development project being built by the Wanda Ridong Group. The Director of Sales and Marketing Lucas Wilson said, "We're proud to be an inaugural partner and play a part in establishing this exciting, world-class event that provide a platform for emerging female athletes to be celebrated and to own the limelight."