Professional surfing will revisit Port Stephens from November 8 - 13, 2018 with the return of the Port Stephens Toyota Pro at Birubi Beach. The elite WSL Qualifying Series (QS) competitions will comprise of Women's 6,000 and Men's 1,000 rated divisions and provide the women with a healthy boost of points to finish their 2018 QS campaigns.
Birubi Beach lineup. - WSL / Tom Bennett
WSL Australia/Oceania Regional Manager Will Hayden-Smith believes the world will once again be blown away by the calibre of waves and surfing when the event gets underway.
"WSL is thrilled to be returning to Birubi Beach for the 2018 Port Stephens Toyota Pro. This event plays as one of the most important on the Women's Qualifying Series as it is the last major event where competitors have a chance to qualify for the 2019 Championship Tour, attracting some of the biggest names in the surfing world along with an array of exciting up-and-comers. Last year's event saw incredible surf at both One Mile and Birubi and surf fans around the world will be tuning in to watch it all unfold again this November."
Johanne Defay took out the 2017 event at Birubi. - WSL / Ethan Smith
Surfing NSW CEO Luke Madden said the region had proven itself as a world-class location to showcase the world's best female surfers in action.
"Last year we saw some amazing performances with nearly half of the Women's Championship Tour competing here at Port Stephens. The aim of the Port Stephens Toyota Pro is to give some of the world's best female surfers the opportunity to finish their year with a bang and hopefully a few will get a springboard onto the Championship Tour."
Holly Wawn was a standout at last years event. - WSL / Ethan Smith
Port Stephens Council Mayor Ryan Palmer shared Madden's sentiments and is again looking forward to seeing the illustrious event return to the region.
"Having the Port Stephens Toyota Pro really showcases our region to the rest of the world and injects close to half a million dollars into the local economy. Events like this allow the beautiful Port Stephens region to be seen by a worldwide audience and give promising local surfers inspiration as they aspire to get there themselves one day."
(L - R) Local junior surfer Elle Clayton-Brown, Surfing NSW CEO Luke Madden, Port Stephens Council Mayor Ryan Palmer, Port Stephens Toyota owner and event sponsor Kim Burton and current NSW junior champion and local junior surfer Mike Clayton-Brown - WSL / Ethan Smith
Stepping up his already impressive investment into surfing in the Newcastle and Bay area, Kim Burton - owner of Port Stephens Toyota and naming-rights sponsor of the Burton Automotive Pro - believes his passion for surfing and his business come together perfectly through events like the Port Stephens Toyota Pro.
"I'm extremely lucky that my business is successful enough to divulge into things I'm passionate about like this. I'm stoked to be involved again. For me, I've always lived a surfer's lifestyle and to blend that together with my business really is a blessing."
Liam O'Brien won the men's QS1,000 in 2017. - WSL / Ethan Smith
The 2018 Port Stephens Toyota Pro is also supported by Port Stephens Toyota, Port Stephens Council, AirAsia, Kaos Surf, PRD Nationwide, Wanderers Retreat, The Oasis Eco Retreat, Murrays Brewery, Surfing NSW and WSL.
Port Stephens Toyota Pro Set To Return in 2018
WSL
Professional surfing will revisit Port Stephens from November 8 - 13, 2018 with the return of the Port Stephens Toyota Pro at Birubi Beach. The elite WSL Qualifying Series (QS) competitions will comprise of Women's 6,000 and Men's 1,000 rated divisions and provide the women with a healthy boost of points to finish their 2018 QS campaigns.
WSL Australia/Oceania Regional Manager Will Hayden-Smith believes the world will once again be blown away by the calibre of waves and surfing when the event gets underway.
"WSL is thrilled to be returning to Birubi Beach for the 2018 Port Stephens Toyota Pro. This event plays as one of the most important on the Women's Qualifying Series as it is the last major event where competitors have a chance to qualify for the 2019 Championship Tour, attracting some of the biggest names in the surfing world along with an array of exciting up-and-comers. Last year's event saw incredible surf at both One Mile and Birubi and surf fans around the world will be tuning in to watch it all unfold again this November."
Surfing NSW CEO Luke Madden said the region had proven itself as a world-class location to showcase the world's best female surfers in action.
"Last year we saw some amazing performances with nearly half of the Women's Championship Tour competing here at Port Stephens. The aim of the Port Stephens Toyota Pro is to give some of the world's best female surfers the opportunity to finish their year with a bang and hopefully a few will get a springboard onto the Championship Tour."
Port Stephens Council Mayor Ryan Palmer shared Madden's sentiments and is again looking forward to seeing the illustrious event return to the region.
"Having the Port Stephens Toyota Pro really showcases our region to the rest of the world and injects close to half a million dollars into the local economy. Events like this allow the beautiful Port Stephens region to be seen by a worldwide audience and give promising local surfers inspiration as they aspire to get there themselves one day."
Stepping up his already impressive investment into surfing in the Newcastle and Bay area, Kim Burton - owner of Port Stephens Toyota and naming-rights sponsor of the Burton Automotive Pro - believes his passion for surfing and his business come together perfectly through events like the Port Stephens Toyota Pro.
"I'm extremely lucky that my business is successful enough to divulge into things I'm passionate about like this. I'm stoked to be involved again. For me, I've always lived a surfer's lifestyle and to blend that together with my business really is a blessing."
The 2018 Port Stephens Toyota Pro is also supported by Port Stephens Toyota, Port Stephens Council, AirAsia, Kaos Surf, PRD Nationwide, Wanderers Retreat, The Oasis Eco Retreat, Murrays Brewery, Surfing NSW and WSL.
Port Stephens Toyota Pro
The CT star locks herself in for next season while Macy Callaghan and Brisa Hennessy become the official rookies of 2019.
Quarterfinalists decided at Birubi Beach.
Along with Bronte Macaulay, Paige Hareb advances to the Quarterfinals at the Port Stephens Pro and solidifies her spot on next year's Tour.
Men's QS1,000 Final Day Action
The young Central Coaster has beaten his good mate Mikey McDonagh in the Men's Final of the Port Stephens Toyota Pro QS1,000.
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