Following on from this mornings confirmation of Narrabeen as the second NSW Tour stop. The WSL has now announced the final two events of the hastily put together Australian leg will be in Western Australia.
While Queensland was unceremoniously stripped of its events after refusing to pick up the tab for the quarantining of the WSL’s athletes. It now seems that WA, perhaps the most prickly of all the states when it comes to border closures, has agreed to the WSL’s terms and will allow the circus set up on its turf.
From the WSL presser:
“This is a fantastic result for Western Australia and demonstrates how great the surfing opportunities are throughout our State,” said WA Tourism Minister Paul Papalia. “International and national viewers will be able to see how pristine the marine environment is around Rottnest Island and get a taste of what makes this island so special. The World Surf League competitors will also be able to meet the world’s happiest animal, the quokka, and experience firsthand Rottnest’s unique environment. The McGowan Government is very pleased to be able to support this new leg on the Australian calendar following our securing of the Margaret River Pro until at least 2024.”
The event itself will take place at Strickland Bay, which is home to a quality reef break which features a short punchy right but is predominantly a longer left. The Island is also home to some less friendly waves, including Rotto Box, a wave similar in stature to Margaret River’s wave of the same name and has a fetish for breaking surfers bones. It will be interesting to see if any of the surfers give it a crack. See below for vision from Rottnest.
The other stop will take place at Margaret River as per usual.
Dates for the events are as follows:
- Rip Curl Newcastle Cup pres. by Corona: April 1 – 1
- Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic pres. by Corona: April 16 – 26
- Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro pres. by Corona: May 2-12
- Rip Curl Rottnest Search pres. by Corona: May 16 – 26
