In 2017, the South Coast had Culburra Beach siblings Owen and Tyler Wright and Gerroa’s Sally Fitzgibbons on their respective Championships Tours – with all three expected to go around next year.

On top of that, the region also had Ty Watson (Culburra Beach), Mikey Wright (Culburra Beach), Sophia Fulton (Mollymook) and Dean Bowen (Gerroa) in the Qualifying Series.

Key changes to the 2018 Championship Tour calendars include last week's announcement of the CT event at Surf Ranch, Indonesia replacing Fiji, the world's best women surfers joining the men at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa, as well as the removal of Cascais, Portugal, and Trestles, US, for 2018 (both markets plan to return to the schedule in the future).

"We're excited about the release of the 2018 calendar, which includes some important changes designed to ensure we continue to champion the best surfing across the world and with a view to delivering long-term investment for the sport," WSL CEO Sophie Goldschmidt said.

"Indonesia is universally regarded as home to world-class waves and is a location where the League is exploring long-term opportunities for the sport.

“While Fiji has been a multi-year pillar of the Dream Tour and we may return in future, appropriate support from the government of Fiji is needed to bring the world's best back to Cloudbreak and Restaurants.

“Keramas is a fantastic venue and we are stoked to go there in 2018."

"Additionally, we can't wait to see what the world's best women surfers will bring to the canvases of Jeffreys Bay in South Africa next season, accompanying the men to the iconic South African wave.

“Trestles and Cascais are not on the tour in 2018, which were difficult decisions for the League due to the heritage and the welcoming communities of both -- however, we'll look for opportunities to incorporate those markets into the WSL calendar at some level in seasons to come."

"The 2018 calendar has some of the most significant changes we have implemented in many years," Kieren Perrow, WSL Commissioner, said.

"While we sadly depart from some locations and say thank you to the communities who have supported us, we are also excited with the return to Indonesia and to hold the first-ever CT event in a wave system at Surf Ranch.

As the sport evolves we will continue to explore opportunities to enhance the schedule, collaborating with our stakeholders -- surfers as well as partners."

2018 World Surf League (WSL) men's Championship Tour:

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Australia - March 11 - 22, 2018

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Australia - March 28 - April 8, 2018

Margaret River Pro, Australia - April 11 - 22, 2018

Oi Rio Pro, Brazil - May 10 - 19, 2018

Bali Pro, Indonesia - May 27 - June 9, 2018

Corona Open J-Bay, South Africa - July 2 - 13, 2018

Tahiti Pro Teahupo'o, Tahiti - August 10 - 21, 2018

Surf Ranch Lemoore, California/US. September 5 - 9, 2018

Quiksilver Pro France, France - October 3 - 14, 2018

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Portugal - October 16 - 27, 2018

Billabong Pipe Masters, Hawaii/US - December 8 - 20, 2018

The 2017 WSL Men's Championship Tour will finish with the Billabong Pipe Masters in memory of Andy Irons in Hawaii, US from December 8 - 20, 2017.

2018 World Surf League (WSL) women's Championship Tour:

Roxy Pro Gold Coast, Australia - March 11 - 22, 2018

Rip Curl Women's Pro Bells Beach, Australia - March 28 - April 8, 2018

Margaret River Pro, Australia - April 11 - 22, 2018

Oi Rio Pro, Brazil - May 10 - 19, 2018

Bali Pro, Indonesia - May 27 - June 9, 2018

Corona Open J-Bay, South Africa - July 10 - 17, 2018

Vans US Open of Surfing, US - July 30 - August 5, 2018

Surf Ranch Lemoore, California/US. September 5 - 9, 2018

Roxy Pro France, France - October 3 - 14, 2018

Hawaii Women's Pro, Hawaii/US - November 25 - December 6, 2018

The 2017 WSL Women's Championship Tour is culminating next week at Honolua Bay, Hawaii with the Maui Women's Pro.