WITH the World Surf League's (WSL) scheduled return to Australia for the next leg of the Championship Tour (CT), the organisation has confirmed its approval from the New South Wales government to land a chartered flight and quarantine in Sydney.
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The WSL also announced Newcastle as the fourth event of the Australian leg, that will kick off the leg on April 1 and feature Culburra Beach trio Owen, Tyler and Mikey Wright, as well as Gerroa's Sally Fitzgibbons.
The WSL will continue to work with the state governments to update the dates of the other three Australian leg events, working in line with the continually-changing state border closures due to COVID-19.
The WSL is strictly adhering to the government process to enter Australia and has worked closely with the New South Wales Government to come to an agreement that will see all international competitors board a flight in Los Angeles that will land in Sydney.
Once in Australia, all travelling athletes and support staff will undergo the mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine and must receive a medical clearance from public health officials before entering the general community and preparing for competition at Newcastle.
The WSL will implement a robust and thorough COVID-19 health and safety plan for each event during the Australian leg of the CT in accordance with federal and state guidance.
The WSL's health and safety plan includes physical distancing measures, temperature checks, enhanced high-touch cleaning at the event sites, contact tracing procedures, sanitiser stations throughout the event site, and minimal personnel on-site.
With over 35 years of professional surfing history, Merewether Beach in Newcastle is the perfect location to launch the CT Australian leg in 2021.
The beach break peaks and right-hand reef of Merewether is responsible for unearthing surfing legends such as Mark Richards, Luke Egan, Matt Hoy and Ryan Callinan to name a few.
The biggest names in surfing have taken event wins in Newcastle including current CT competitors Kelly Slater, Stephanie Gilmore, Julian Wilson, Yago Dora, Malia Manuel, Bronte Macaulay, Johanne Defay and Kiama High alumna Fitzgibbons.
"WSL is excited to be commencing the Australian leg of the CT at the world-class break in Newcastle," said WSL APAC general manager, Andrew Stark.
"We sincerely thank the NSW Government for all of their support in not only holding a CT event but for also agreeing to land our flight and accommodating our quarantining international competitors.
"We're also extremely thankful for the support of the city of Newcastle to enable the event to proceed and we look forward to working with the local community in the delivery of the event."
The 2021 Newcastle Pro will not only be the first time world title points have been on offer at the location since 1991 but also the first combined male-and-female CT event to be held in NSW since the Coke Classic at Manly in 1999.
The WSL is currently working with Australia's state governments to finalise the final three Australian CT events and will release the updated schedule as soon as possible.
The Australian CT events will run based on state border closures, strictly adhering to federal and state government guidelines and restrictions.
All tour stops and dates subject to change due to applicable COVID-19 related restrictions, including global travel restrictions.
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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.
