AVOCA BEACH, NSW / Australia (Thursday, March 16, 2023) – The 2023 Vissla & Sisstrevolution Central Coast Pro presented Mad Mex, World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3,000 saw another cracking day filled with excellent scores, sunny skies and pumping three-to-four foot surf. Day 4 of competition saw the field narrowed, with the women’s Quarterfinalists decided along with the men’s round of 16.
The women’s round of 32 got things underway on Day 4, with former Championship Tour (CT) competitors Dimity Stoyle (AUS) and Paige Hareb(NZL) showing their competitive edge. The pair were able to win their respective heats and advance through to the Round of 16, where they matched up with Coco Cairns (AUS) and Holly Williams (AUS). Unfortunately for Stoyle, she was later knocked out in the round 16 heat, where Hareb and Williams progressed to the Quarterfinals.
“It’s always tricky surfing in the early morning heat,” Hareb said. “it always seems like there are so many waves on offer when watching all the free surfers before the contest. I had to wait a while at the beginning of the heat for that first wave, but once I found my groove, the waves started coming to me”
Kiwi competitor Te Kehukehu Butler (NZL) lit up his Round of 32 heat with a solid display of the powerful surfing he’s become known for. Butler progressed into the Round of 16 with an excellent heat total of 16.00 (out of a possible 20)
“The waves are so fun right now and everyone is ripping,” Butler said. “To get an opportunity to surf a QS event in such great waves is awesome, and you have to make the most of it. I love it here on the Central Coast. There are great waves and cool little towns with such a relaxed vibe. I’m not focussing too hard on CS qualification just now – I just want to put my best foot forward and come out on top.”
Today also saw the last remaining Central Coast surfer Joel Vaughan (AUS), progress into the Round of 16. Other impressive performances to note included Lennix Smith (AUS), John Mark Tokong (PHL) and Hiroto Arai(JPN).
While on the women’s side of the draw Anon Matsuoka (JPN), Ellie Harrison(AUS) and Mirai Ikeda (JPN) all progressed through to the Quarterfinals.
The Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series 2023 is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series 2023 Event Schedule
Event 1: Camplify Great Lakes Pro QS 3,000: Tuesday 21st – Friday 24th Feb
Event 2: Surfers Rescue 24/7 Port Stephens Pro QS 1,000 – Monday 27th Feb: Wednesday 1st March
Event 3: Mad Mex Maroubra Pro QS 1,000 – Friday 3rd – Sunday 5th March
Event 4: Men’s Vissla Central Coast Pro presented by Mad Mex QS 3,000, Women’s Sisstrevolution Central Coast Pro presented by Mad Mex – Monday 13th – Saturday 18th March
The 2023 Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series will be proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. The series will also be proudly supported by Vissla, Sisstrevolution, Destination Sydney Surrounds, Randwick City Council, Central Coast Council, Mid Coast Council, Port Stephens Council, Barrington Coast, Mad Mex, Camplify, Storage King, Avoca Beach Hotel, Southend Hotel, PRD Real Estate, Surfers Rescue 24/7, #NoTxtNoWrecks, WSL and Surfing NSW.
