The  Seat Pro Netanya comes back this week in Netanya, Israel. Held at Kontiki Beach, the men's QS 3,000 marks the first event of the 2019 season.
What?
The 2018 Qualifying Series wrapped at Sunset and for those who haven't made the cut, there's no time to slack as the first event of the new year is now only a couple of days away.
Netanya occasionally serves a decent hollow section, Charly Martin setting up. - WSL / Laurent Masurel
The men's QS 3,000 event carries crucial points, as all qualifiers for the CT this season were counting on results under 3,000 points in their season tally, so a big performance at Netanya puts you on the right track. It's also the opening event of the European series, so regional surfers count on the event to launch their campaign for the European title.
Peterson Crisanto, who just got the precious ticket for the big show at Sunset, is a past winner in Netanya. Matthew McGillivray, another top dog on the QS series, is the defending event champion. Long-time QS grinder Pedro Henrique won the first edition.
Where?
It's the fourth year aspiring pros will have the chance to launch their season in the beautiful Mediterranean waters of Netanya, just North of Tel Aviv. When the weather plays nice, there's turquoise water and blue skies to compliment the fun beachbreak.
The Dead Sea is a classic lay day excursion surfers take each year to bathe in some of the saltiest waters on the planet below sea-level. - WSL / Laurent Masurel
Of course the event runs in winter, so the Med can also produce big storms and send strong swells with gale-force winds to challenge the surfers. All in all, the SEAT Pro Netanya is an epic experience where any lay day turns into a world of cultural experiences. Most of the surfers who have been there once have returned the following years and this also has to do with the classic welcoming vibe of the passionate locals who are stoked to share their waves with international pros once a year.
When?
Tune in from January 10-19, 2019 and check out all the photos, videos and updates right here!
In the meantime, navigate the below collection of images from last year with the left and right arrows >
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The runner-up in 2018
Charly Martin displayed plenty of power even on the smaller days.
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Speaking of power, how's that layback snap by
Aritz Aranburu ??
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The locals always show up in big numbers to support athletes at Kontiki beach.
- WSL / Laurent Masurel
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Jorgann Couzinet has been a threat in all conditions in Netanya over the past couple of years.
- WSL / Laurent Masurel
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Matthew McGillivray took his J-Bay groomed carving game to the fun rights of Kontiki and took the win.
- WSL / Laurent Masurel
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Surfers love all the attention and support they get each year in Netanya.
- WSL / Laurent Masurel
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Reo Inaba was part of the crew that sent it when Kontiki provided ramps.
- WSL / Laurent Masurel
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Not to be outdone,
Tomas Fernandes throws the fins above the lip.
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Brasil's
Wesley Leite shows the way to get big points.
SEAT Pro Netanya is Set to Launch 2019 Qualifying Series
Nicolas Leroy
The  Seat Pro Netanya comes back this week in Netanya, Israel. Held at Kontiki Beach, the men's QS 3,000 marks the first event of the 2019 season.
What?
The 2018 Qualifying Series wrapped at Sunset and for those who haven't made the cut, there's no time to slack as the first event of the new year is now only a couple of days away.
The men's QS 3,000 event carries crucial points, as all qualifiers for the CT this season were counting on results under 3,000 points in their season tally, so a big performance at Netanya puts you on the right track. It's also the opening event of the European series, so regional surfers count on the event to launch their campaign for the European title.
Peterson Crisanto, who just got the precious ticket for the big show at Sunset, is a past winner in Netanya. Matthew McGillivray, another top dog on the QS series, is the defending event champion. Long-time QS grinder Pedro Henrique won the first edition.
Where?
It's the fourth year aspiring pros will have the chance to launch their season in the beautiful Mediterranean waters of Netanya, just North of Tel Aviv. When the weather plays nice, there's turquoise water and blue skies to compliment the fun beachbreak.
Of course the event runs in winter, so the Med can also produce big storms and send strong swells with gale-force winds to challenge the surfers. All in all, the SEAT Pro Netanya is an epic experience where any lay day turns into a world of cultural experiences. Most of the surfers who have been there once have returned the following years and this also has to do with the classic welcoming vibe of the passionate locals who are stoked to share their waves with international pros once a year.
When?
Tune in from January 10-19, 2019 and check out all the photos, videos and updates right here!
In the meantime, navigate the below collection of images from last year with the left and right arrows >
Matthew McGillivray
The CT went huge from Yago Dora to John John to wildcard Bryan Perez. Relive the madness.
South Africa's well-mannered madman. As much of a thrill seeker as he is a hardened competitor, Matty McGillivray is a product of the
Featuring John John Florence, Jack Robinson, Yago Dora, Tatiana Weston-Webb, Brian Perez, Joao Chianca, Ryan Callinan, Griffin Colapinto,
Featuring Yago Dora, Griffin Colapinto, Leonardo Fioravanti, Jordy Smith, Filipe Toledo, John John Florence, Kanoa Igarashi, Italo
Featuring Gabriel Medina, Owen Wright, Matthew McGillivray, Jeremy Flores, Nathan Hedge, Jadson Andre, Kanoa Igarashi, Caio Ibelli, John
Seat Pro Netanya
The SEAT Pro Netanya culminates with Eithan Osborne's victory over Tristan Guilbaud in an exciting finals day.
The SEAT Pro Netanya resumes to complete two rounds of competition in challenging conditions and approaches the final rounds.
In a shifting bumpy lineup, a few big sections open up and surfers go to the air.
Competition continues and the event top seeds join the rest of the field during Round 3 of the SEAT Pro Netanya.
Continuing fun conditions allow competition to move into the top seeded round in Israel.