THE official waiting period for the 2020 World Surf League (WSL) Australian Grand Slam of Surfing opened on Tuesday, September 1 and runs through until October 31 - giving event organisers optimum time to pick perfect conditions at all three locations.
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As part of The WSL Countdown global series, the Australian Grand Slam of Surfing will see the Championship Tour (CT) competitors based in Australia, such as Culburra Beach's Owen, Tyler and Mikey Wright as well as Gerroa's Sally Fitzgibbons, reignite live professional surfing across three events, the Pro Gold Coast (QLD), the Margaret River Pro (WA) and the Tweed Coast Pro (NSW).
Each event needs only two days to run and has a two month waiting period, which will allow WSL event directors to pinpoint the best conditions for each location.
2020 was supposed to be the comeback year for two-time WSL World champion Tyler Wright until the season was cancelled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Having only competed once this year, the Australian Grand Slam of Surfing will be Wright's first opportunity to do battle against her compatriot CT surfers in 2020.
Wright sees the forced time off as a huge benefit in her continued recovery.
"I was ready to go and prepared for a very big ask of my body," Wright said.
"The trauma of the last few years has been really intense.
"But I've been really well supported.
"Which means my team is really well prepped with what I'll do to compete, the limits I'll go to and where I won't go.
"With that said, I'm as ready to compete as I've ever been.
"However, with these unforeseen circumstances, it has meant being at home and not having to push myself straight away."
The Australian Grand Slam of Surfing, part of The WSL Countdown, will see 24 of Australia's best surfers (12 men and 12 women) go head to head in their respective divisions.
Eleven male CT competitors and eight female CT competitors will be on standby for each stop, some looking to compete for the first time in 2020.
The remaining spots in each field will be allocated to the highest ranked 2019 non-qualifying Australian surfers or selected wildcard surfers.
Adding to the high stakes, men's and women's overall series champions will each win $20,000 to donate to a charity of their choice.
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Courtney Ward
Sports Journalist for South Coast Register and Milton-Ulladulla Times, who loves all things sport and travel. All views are my own.
Sports Journalist for South Coast Register and Milton-Ulladulla Times, who loves all things sport and travel. All views are my own.
