Boomerang Beach, NSW 21st February: Day one of the Camplify Great Lakes Pro has sent the Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series off to an epic start, with the sun gleaming over the NSW Mid Coast’s iconic Boomerang Beach and plenty of action for both competitors and spectators despite the small swell.
Today saw the completion of men’s rounds one and two, totalling 24 heats from the 7:30 am start this morning. All competitors were faced with a similar challenge of navigating their way through the 1-2 NE foot swell that saw quite a few lags in between sets as the heat timer was ticking.
Despite the lack of sections on today’s waves, several competitors smashed through their heats, including top seeds New Zealand competitor Korbin Hutchings, Long Reef’s Kobi Clements, Manly’s Saxon Reber, Sunshine Beach QLD’s Ben Lorentson and Gold Coast QLD’s Ty Richardson.
Korbin Hutchings, the powerhouse representing New Zealand started off in heat 1 of round 6 and dominated the heat, comfortably sitting in first position with an 8.5 and a 5.5 score by the final seconds.
“Coming off the back of the Tweed Cosat Pro last week where we had some solid swell, and when I saw the conditions here this morning, my goal was to feel really light and zippy on the waves, which the judges seemed to like. Even though the conditions today were small, Boomerang waves usually have a bit of push behind them which works in your favour.” Hutchings said.
Maroubra local Koda Killorn also displayed his knowledge of the beach break and finished his heat with the highest-scored wave of the day. An 8.90 has secured Killorn to the next round and one step closer to increasing his qualifying points for the challenger series.
The female division is scheduled to run at the beginning of day two. Conditions are predicted to slowly improve throughout the event window, which should make for a fierce finals day on Friday, 24th February.
The Camplify Great Lakes Pro will also be available to watch via live webcast through worldsurfleague.com, the WSL App, 7plus, mySurf.tv, Kayo Sports, and Surfing NSW socials.
About the Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series
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.
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 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.
