THE Phillip Island Pro WSL QS1000 surfing event kicked off in initially wintry conditions at Summerland Bay, site of the world famous Penguin Parade, on Thursday, November 3 at the start of a big four days of surfing on the Island.
But by the time NSW surfer Oscar Salt, from Boomerang Beach on the mid-north coast, emerged from the water, the sun had popped out from behind the dark clouds and organisers were predicting a move to Cape Woolamai for the finals on Saturday and the Victorian round of the big boardriders’ challenge on Sunday.
Arriving on the beach after an impressive first heat, Salt was delighted with the chunky conditions at the home of Phillip Island’s Little Penguins.
“There are some pretty good waves coming through and if you pick the right one, they form up quite nicely,” said Salt as he moved into the Round of 16 with a best wave of 7.5, featuring some snappy cutbacks and good positioning on 5’ to 6’ waves.
Following a ‘Welcome to Country’ by Daniel Weston-Hume of the Bunurong Land Council, the event was opened by Bass Coast Shire Council CEO Ali Wastie and Marketing and Communications Manager for Surfing Victoria Liam Robertson.
“At the Bass Coast Shire Council we are all about participation and no matter who you are or where you come from, you can get out there today and have a go,” Ms Wastie said.
“This is an important lead up event for those looking to make a career out of surfing and it’s an event where our local surfers have always performed well.
“We’ve been very strong on promoting equal opportunity in sport and pioneered equal prize money, for men and women, with all events hosted by the Bass Coast.
“We’ve had a great relationship with Surfing Victoria and Surfing Australia and on behalf of the Mayor Cr Michael Whelan I’d like to welcome local and visiting surfers to Bass Coast and Phillip Island.”
Cr David Rooks was there representing the council and said the event was right on message for Bass Coast, one of the major sponsors.
“Phillip Island is well known as a surfing Mecca in Australia and it makes a lot of sense for us to be hosting an event of this calibre,” Cr Rooks said.
“And next year is a really big year for surfing on the Island with the 60-year celebration of the Phillip Island Boardriders in February, the 60th birthday of the Woolamai Beach Surf Lifesaving Club as well and also the 10th anniversary of the declaration of the National Surfing Reserve; so there’s a lot to look forward to with those three events.”
More than 50 surfers arrived on the Island for the WSL QS1000 rated event, part of the World Surf League Qualifying Series (QS) 1000 for both Men and Women followed by the Victorian round of the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle.
The Victorian Indigenous Invitational event also continues the tradition of Phillip Island hosting this event and showcasing the best Indigenous Victorian surfers, competing against each other in challenging waves.
The event features 2022 WSL Australia/Oceania Junior rankings champion Ellie Harrison from Barwon Heads.
"It's great to have an event in Victoria," said Harrison.
"It really benefits the Victorian surfers looking to gain points. I'm really looking forward to surfing at Phillip Island, a place that I love which has amazing waves all around the island, such a beautiful location."
Harrison is coming off a red-hot stint in Western Australia winning the Peel Pro Junior in Mandurah and the Cape Nautraliste QS1000 in Yallingup over the course of a week.
"I was really happy to win the Pro junior event and finish the year off winning the WSL junior series, and looking forward to heading to Worlds in January”
The Island Pro will also see several Phillip Island surfers in Heat action including Harry De Roth, Carl Wright, Sophie Fletcher and Sage Goldsbury, several of whom will also represent Phillip Island Boardriders in the Victorian round of the Australian Boardriders Battle, final on Sunday.
“It’s the world’s biggest club event for surfers and a real tradition in Australia,” said local surfing legend and former CEO of Surfing Victoria, Max Wells.
So, the surfing action will be at Summerland Bay (Penguin Beach) on Thursday and Friday and relocating to Woolamai on Saturday and Sunday, hopefully as predicted, with light winds turning north north-westerly during the day on Saturday and continuing into improving weather on Sunday.
The Phillip Island Pro is presented by Bass Coast Shire Council and supported by the Victorian Government, Phillip Island Nature Parks, QUIT Victoria, Cancer Council Sunscreen and Surfing Victoria.