Coffs Harbour is set to host the first stop of the 2022 Australian Open of Surfing (AOS) Tour, on 24 – 25 September 2022, providing up to 96 of Australia’s elite male and female surfers the opportunity to win a share of the $50,000 prize pool and gain momentum going into 2023.
The Bonsoy Coffs Harbour Open, presented by Gage Roads will inaugurate an exciting single-wave format, where surfers’ final heat placing will be made up of their best one wave, rather than the traditional two-wave total.
Coopers Surf General Manager and Coffs Harbour Boardrider club member, Andrew Lindsay said it’s fantastic to have the Australian Open of Surfing tour events in regional areas like Coffs Harbour.
“The AOS enables local talent to match their skills against Australia’s best surfers on home turf,” said Lindsay. “Having the best here also inspires our local grommets to aspire to be future champions.”
The AOS tour will include two qualifying events, The Bonsoy Coffs Harbour Open (24-25 September) and the Sunshine Coast Open (1-2 October), with the top qualifiers from the two events invited to compete at the Bondi Grand Final, to be held 15 October.
Each tour stop will provide a platform for Australian professional and aspiring surfers to stay competitive in the off-season.
Coffs Harbour rising star Rosie Smart said she’s excited to see the level of surfing brought out by the single-wave format introduced by the AOS.
“I think it’s going to be a really exciting event, not only for competitors but also for spectators as I think this new format is going to ensure us competitors push our limits, especially with the prize money on offer,” said Smart. “I’m also really stoked to be competing in my hometown. The waves are consistently fun around here, I’m familiar with the breaks and there’s always somewhere to surf no matter what the conditions provide – it’s also a bonus I can sleep in my own bed.”
Coffs Harbour Mayor Cr Paul Amos, said they are excited to welcome the Australian Open of Surfing back to the Coffs Coast.
“The Coffs Coast was announced as NSW’s first ECO Certified Destination in 2021, and this event is a great way for us to celebrate what we’re all about,” said Amos. “We invite visitors to share and experience the amazing natural assets of our region including our beautiful beaches and the Solitary Islands Marine Park”.
The prize pool for the AOS tour is $50,000, a significant amount that will be an incentive to attract future champions to take part.
It includes $10,000 equal prize money for the men’s and women’s winners at each qualifier and then $15,000 equal prize money for the men’s and women’s winners at the Bondi Grand Final.
For many surfers, the chance to travel from Coffs Harbour to the Sunshine Coast and even surf at iconic Bondi Beach is incentive enough.
Bonsoy Marketing Manager, Raphaelle Wilson said Bonsoy is thrilled to be partnering with Surfing NSW and to kick off the Australian Open series at Coffs Harbour.
“It’s great to support surfing across all age groups for a sustainable healthy lifestyle and future”.
Entries for the Bonsoy Coffs Harbour Open and the Sunshine Coast Open are available via the Surfing NSW & Surfing Queensland website.
The 2022 Australian Open of Surfing is presented by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles with support from Coffs Harbour City Council, Sunshine Coast Council, Waverley Council, Bondi Boardriders Club, Bonsoy, Gage Roads Brewing Co., Coopers Surf and Mad Mex.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Australian Open of Surfing Tour, presented by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Qualifier One
Bonsoy Coffs Harbour Open, presented by Gage Roads 24-25 September 2022
Register via https://surfingnsw.com.au/events/
Prize Money Breakdown: Equal Men and Women
1st Place $2,000.00
2nd Place $1,500.00
3rd Place $1,000.00
4th Place $500.00
Qualifier Two
Sunshine Coast Open, 1-2 October 2022
Register via https://surfingqueensland.com.au/events/
Prize Money Breakdown: Equal Men and Women
1st Place $2,000.00
2nd Place $1,500.00
3rd Place $1,000.00
4th Place $500.00
Grand Final
Surfboard Empire Bondi Grand Final Open, 15 October 2022
Prize Money Breakdown: Equal Men and Women
1st Place $10,000.00
2nd Place $1,000.00
3rd Place $750.00
4th Place $500.00
$250 for all Grand Final competitors who do not place