Queensland’s loss of the annual Corona Open at Snapper Rocks – over a reported refusal for a COVID bubble – is NSW’s gain with North Narrabeen to now host its first world tour event since the late 1990’s.

While NSW missed out on hosting numerous sporting events to Queensland during the coronavirus pandemic, the state is striking back with news on Tuesday the best surfers in the world will be heading to Sydney in late April after competing at the Newcastle Pro.The WSL is turning back the clock for the northern beaches to host its first men’s world tour event since Australian Taj Burrow won the Diet Coke Surf Classic at Manly back in 1999.

The last women’s event was the Beachley Classic which ran from 2006 to 2012.The Newcastle Pro at Merewether on Saturday was revealed as the new event filling the Easter slot traditionally filled by a world tour event at Bells Beach. Since then the WSL said a deal had been struck to return to the famous surfing hotspot in Victoria for at least three years from 2022.

Western Australia will also host the Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro from May 2-12along with the Rip Curl Rottnest Search from May 16-26.“The WSL is truly excited to have the CT coming back to Australia in 2021 with the addition of an extra event,” said WSL APAC General Manager, Andrew Stark. “This year, the Aussie CT leg is looking very different to what we’re used to due to COVID-19, with the addition of three new stops. Although it’s genuinely disappointing to miss locations like Bells Beach and Snapper Rocks this year, we are stoked to add Newcastle, North Narrabeen and Rottnest Island to the schedule.’’ The coronavirus wiped out the entire world surf league in 2021 and has played havoc with the start of the season.Surfers headed to Hawaii to kick off the year but instead again fell foul to the pandemic, sent home without surfing in anger. A plane load of top surfers is due to arrive in Sydney in early March where competitors will undergo two weeks quarantine before heading to Newcastle for the first event scheduled between April 1-11.The WSL said the Government is not funding the quarantine.

Surfers will then head back down the expressway to the northern beaches to compete in the second event which is due to run from mid April.“Narrabeen is one of Australia’s most iconic surfing beaches and we want to make sure the community can make the most of the recreational, tourism and economic benefits that surfing provides,” said NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro.“The impacts of COVID-19 hit the Northern Beaches hard, with forced lockdowns over Christmas last year, and our support for this event will stimulate the local economy and showcase Narrabeen as a world-class surfing and tourism destination.”Owen Wright and Narrabeen local Laura Enever, who is expected to be surfing in either the trial or as a wildcard, were to be on hand in Sydney on Tuesday morning for the unveiling of the new event.Wright, Newcastle’s Julian Wilson, Stephanie Gilmore and Sally Fitzgibbons are the surfers already selected to represent Australia when surfing makes it debut at the Olympic Games.“This highly coveted Championship Tour will bring much-needed tourism dollars into the local shops, eateries, and accommodation here in Narrabeen and surrounds, helping to rebuild our economy after a very tough year for many local businesses,” said Rob Stokes, Member for Pittwater.
AUSTRALIAN LEG
Rip Curl Newcastle Cup April 1-11Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic April 16-26Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro May 2-12Rip Curl Rottnest Search May 16-26
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