Avoca Beach, NSW / AUS, (Friday, March 17, 2023) – Day 5 of the 2023 Vissla & Sisstrevolution Central Coast Pro presented Mad Mex, World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3,000 has seen the Semifinalists decided after another exciting day of competition. The penultimate day of competition saw a drop in swell but just as much excitement as the final eight competitors were decided in clean two-to-three foot surf at Avoca Beach.
Central Coast hopeful Joel Vaughan (AUS) has continued his run of form at his home event, booking a spot in the Semifinals with a commanding performance in his Quarterfinal matchup with Hiroto Arai (JPN). Vaughan was able to win the heat with a combination of fins-free aerial surfing and tight, vertical snaps in the small peaky surf. Currently sitting 24th on the regional rankings, Vaughan is looking for a significant result this week as he looks to return to the Challenger Series in 2023.
Sunshine Coast duo Alister Reginato (AUS) and Cooper Davies (AUS) are letting their intentions known as they both continued their solid run in 2023 today at Avoca Beach, each finding a spot in the Semifinals. Reginato overcame former Championship Tour (CT) competitor Soli Bailey (AUS) in the Quarterfinals, with Davies winning his matchup with youngster Lennix Smith (AUS). Joining Davies, Reginato, and Vaughan in the Semifinal will be defending champion Kalani Ball (AUS).
“I noticed in my first heat today it slowed right down, so I wanted to keep busy in my Quarterfinal,” Vaughan said. “I didn’t want to wait around; I just wanted to give myself plenty of opportunity, and it worked, so I’m stoked. It was tricky out there, so it feels good to get the win. It’s time to get home, rest, rehydrate, and prepare for Finals Day tomorrow.”
Coming into the Sisstrevolution Central Coast Pro, Zahli Kelly (AUS) had struggled to progress past the Quarterfinals in a number of events across the 22/23 QS season. Today, Kelly was finally able to break through to the Semifinals thanks to a solid heat win over form surfer Ellie Harrison (AUS). Kelly was in the zone, posting an excellent 8.00-point ride on her way to a two-wave total of 14.67 (out of a possible 20). Kelly will come up against Japan’s Mirai Ikeda(JPN) as she looks to back up her recent second-place finish at the White Buffalo Hyuga Pro.
“I know I need a couple of really big results going into the back end of the QS season to be able to get through that heat is going to be huge for my chance of qualifying for the Challenger Series.” Kelly said “It felt amazing to finally get that quarterfinals monkey off my back, I’m so happy to have gotten past that round and into finals day tomorrow”
.Women’s Semifinal number two will see Nyxie Ryan (AUS) take on Anon Matsuoka (JPN) , who have been tearing through their respective regional QS events in 2023.
The Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series was developed for Australian surfers to gain ranking points and prize money in the WSL Qualifying Series. The series also creates a NSW coastal road trip for all to explore the variety of waves, visit local communities and enjoy NSW surfing culture.
The Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series 2023 is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
The Men’s Vissla Central Coast Pro presented by Mad Mex QS3000, Women’s Sisstrevolution Central Coast Pro presented by Mad Mex will be available to watch thanks to Mad Mex via the live webcast through worldsurfleague.com, the WSL App, 7plus, mySurf.tv, Kayo and Surfing NSW socials.
Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series 2023 Event Schedule
Event 1: Camplify Great Lakes Pro QS3000: Tuesday 21st – Friday 24th Feb
Event 2: Surfers Rescue 24/7 Port Stephens Pro QS1000 – Monday 27th Feb: Wednesday 1st March
Event 3: Mad Mex Maroubra Pro QS1000: Friday 3rd – Sunday 5th March
Event 4: Men’s Vissla Central Coast Pro presented by Mad Mex QS3000, Women’s Sisstrevolution Central Coast Pro presented by Mad Mex: Monday 13th – Saturday 18th March
The 2023 Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. The series is also 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.
