Exciting Times for 2018

BARRELS IN BALI: The Bali Pro replaces the event in Fiji. Photo WSL / Scholtz

The WSL released the 2018 schedule and have added a women's Championship Tours (CT), Qualifying Series (QS), Pro Junior and Longboard tours as well as the WSL Big Wave Tour (BWT).

Key changes to the 2018 Championship Tour calendars include last week’s announcement of the CT event at Surf Ranch, the world’s best women surfers joining the men at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa, Indonesia replacing Fiji, as well as the removal of Cascais, Portugal and Trestles, USA for 2018 (both markets planned 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,” Sophie Goldschmidt, WSL CEO, said.

WINDOW SHOPPING: One of the many iconic views of Supers from the shore. Photo WSL / Cestari

“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.”

NEW DAWN: History will be made on several levels after the announcement. Photo WSL / Scholtz

“The changes to the 2018 calendar are great and there will be more to come in future seasons as the sport continues to evolve,” Kieren Perrow, WSL Commissioner, said. “The process of discussing and implementing these changes with our stakeholders - Surfers as well as Partners - has been very collaborative.”

“As we move into a new era of professional surfing, it’s reassuring to have the support of WSL and commitment to putting the world’s best surfers in the world’s best waves,” Adrian Buchan, CT competitor and athlete representative, said. “Whilst we are disappointed at losing Fiji and Trestles for 2018, we are really excited to be returning to Keramas, Indonesia and for the inaugural Surf Ranch event. I have no doubt that the 2018 season will be injected with some fresh excitement from these new venues.”

“2018 is looking like the most exciting calendar year for women’s surfing yet,” Sage Erickson, CT competitor and athlete representative, said. “Mixing up the venues and adding in new ones for us like Keramas and Jeffreys Bay is going to really showcase a new level of surfing from the women.”

CLEAN LINES: Supertubes is one of those waves that you can really surf. Photo WSL / Cestari

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/USA: 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/USA: December 8-20, 2018

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, USA: July 30-August 5, 2018
Surf Ranch Lemoore, California/USA: September 5-9, 2018
Roxy Pro France, France: October 3-14, 2018
Hawaii Women’s Pro, Hawaii/USA: November 25-December 6, 2018

2018/2019 Big Wave Tour

Puerto Escondido Challenge, Oaxaca/Mexico
Pe’ahi Challenge, Maui/Hawaii
Mavericks Challenge, California/USA
Nazaré Challenge, Costa de Prata/Portugal

A full 2018 WSL schedule can be accessed

here.

For more information, check out www.WorldSurfLeague.com