February 11 - 17, 2018: Issue 347

Vissla Sydney Surf Pro Set To Launch: Info about Community Partnership Program and The Key Sun Zinke Sydney Pro Junior Event was Added this week

At Manly: 24 February - 4 March, 2018

KEY SUN ZINKE SYDNEY PRO JUNIOR TO HIT MANLY BEACH THIS FEBRUARY. 

Thursday, 8 February 2018

The Vissla Sydney Surf Pro just got even bigger with the addition of the World Surf League (WSL) Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) event, The Key Sun Zinke Sydney Pro Junior.  

The event will bolster the Men’s and Women’s QS6,000 events and run on the weekend of February 24 – 25.

A massive international field is expected, all vying for a top spot on the WSL Australia / Oceania JQS Rankings and a start at the 2018 World Junior Championships. Event partners Key Zinke, Vissla, Destination NSW, Surfing NSW and WSL have all committed to the addition of the Junior division, continuing Manly Beaches rich history of Professional Junior surfing.

“We are really proud to have another JQS event on the calendar, what makes it extra special is the fact that it’s going to be held at the iconic Manly Beach,” said WSL Australia / Oceania Regional Manager Will Hayden-Smith. “Having a combined Junior and QS event will give the younger generation a great opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the world’s best surfing athletes and give them a glimpse of the careers they’re aspiring to.”

Key Sun Zinke is an iconic Australian sun protection brand that has been closely affiliated with the Australian outdoor lifestyle culture since its inception in 1969. This shared passion for the ocean made Key Sun Zinke a perfect partner for Surfing NSW and World Surf League as the official sunscreen sponsor for 2018 at the Sydney Pro Junior event.

“A partnership with Surfing NSW and World Surf League offers us the exciting opportunity to participate in a grass-roots event that helps foster local surfing talent from our very own backyard. Key Sun Zinke are extremely proud to sponsor an event, that while attracting international acclaim, gives back to the local community.”

After a recent runner-up finish at the first JQS event of the 2018 season, New Zealand’s Te Kehukehu Butler is pumped to see what the inaugural The Key Sun Zinke Sydney Pro Junior will bring.

“I was super pumped to get a second place finish in the Pro Junior event at Bells earlier this year, so hopefully I can put on another decent performance when the Key Sun Zinke Sydney Pro Junior hits Manly in late February,” Butler said. “At this time of year, I’m regularly making the trip across the Tasman to compete in events in Australia and the events in Manly are always ones I look forward to. I can’t wait to get down there and see it all unfold.” 

All the NSW professional surfing action gets underway from early January with the World Junior Championships, followed by the Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series, The nudie Australian Boardriders Battle National Final, Surfest and the Vissla Sydney Surf Pro. 

The Vissla Sydney Surf Pro will be proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. The event will also be proudly supported by Vissla, Northern Beaches Council, WSL and Surfing NSW.

Report by Surfing NSW

New Zealander Te Kehukehu Butler will be one of a bunch of Internationals heading to Manly for the inaugural Key Sun Zinke Sydney Pro Junior this Februry 24 - 25. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW

Vissla Sydney Surf Pro Community Partnership Program

Australian surfers and their support teams are preparing to journey to the iconic concourse and beach settings of Manly to compete against leading surfers from powerhouse surfing nations as part of the inaugural Vissla Sydney Surf Pro. 

The surfing showdown will take place in the legendary waters off Manly, the spiritual birthplace of surfing in Australia, just a short distance from the landmark attractions and architecture of central Sydney, one of the world’s leading sports and tourism destinations. 

The event (24 February - 4 March) will feature critical contests between some of the world’s most experienced and highly regarded surfers as well as a range of outstanding young prodigies. 

The competition will also feature live music, art, photographic displays, midnight cinema, skateboarding, surfboard shaping demonstrations, food and hospitality all based at the historic Hotel Steyne.

A dozen local Manly businesses entered into Surfing NSW's Community Partnership Program, which saw several businesses awarded naming rights to several elements of the event. Businesses that participated in the event included: 

  1. Novotel Sydney Manly Pacific - Overall naming rights partner for local trials 2018 
  2. Manly Beach Health Club - Naming rights for Men's QS6,000 Local Trials
  3. ICMS
  4. M Barber - Naming rights for Mens Pro Junior Wildcard Trials
  5. Maestro & Co 
  6. Specialised Bikes 
  7. Village Chiropractic 
  8. Gelatissimo - Naming rights for Women's Pro Junior Wildcard Trials 
  9. Q Station
  10. Covered Magazine 
  11. Manly Surf School
  12. Belgrave Cartel - Naming rights for Women's QS6,000 Local Trials 

The event will provide the public with a glimpse of Australian surfers that will be in contention to represent the country when surfing makes its debut at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Surfers include 2017 WSL Rookie of The Year Connor O’Leary.  

The new surfing showpiece will focus on the competitive environment for surfers and local communities, scaling back infrastructure on the beach to reduce the footprint and open up new viewing areas and fan zones. 

“We wanted the best possible environment for the surfers and the local community and maximise the interaction between surfers and the fans," said Luke Madden, CEO of Surfing NSW. “This will help to create an amazing experience for all.” 

The Vissla Sydney Surf Pro evolved out of discussions with World Surf League, Manly Council, local MP James Griffin, Surfing NSW, Destination NSW and Vissla. 

“What a terrific demonstration of community spirit and clear intent from our local businesses to support the Vissla Sydney Surf Pro at Manly Beach," said Griffin. "The event will showcase Manly to the world and be a great boost for our businesses and create a wonderful time for locals. I'm grateful to all the businesses who have come on board and look forward to welcoming others as we get closer to the event.” 

The event will also feature activations by Vissla, a pioneer in innovative and creative surf initiatives and products that strive to minimize environmental impact and protect oceans and waves.  

The opening weekend will feature a WSL Pro Junior division that offers surfers 18-and-Under the chance to compete for a coveted spot at the World Junior Championships. This will be followed by the blue ribbon men’s and women’s WSL QS6,000 divisions featuring 84 of the world’s best female surfers and 144 of the top men. 

“It’s really exciting for World Surf League and our surfers to be able to have such a large scale event in Sydney,” said WSL Australia/Oceania Regional Manager Will Hayden-Smith. “We ecstatic to work with partners like Destination NSW, Surfing NSW, Vissla and the Northern Beaches Council who share our vision for surfing and caring for the environment. It’s an exciting time counting down to this brand new event.” 

All the NSW professional surfing action gets underway from early January with the World Junior Championships, followed by the Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series, The nudie Australian Boardriders Battle National Final, Surfest and the Vissla Sydney Surf Pro. 

The Vissla Sydney Surf Pro will be proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. The event will also be proudly supported by Vissla, Northern Beaches Council, Coastalwatch, WSL and Surfing NSW.


ABOVE: A dozen local Manly businesses entered into Surfing NSW's Community Partnership Program, which saw several businesses awarded naming rights to several elements of the event. Photo by Sally MacIntosh

Report by Surfing NSW