The much anticipated start to the HIF Pro Am Series is creating a buzz within the West Australian surfing community with the first event of 2011 fast approaching. Surfers from right across the state have been fine tuning their skills in preparation for what is shaping up to be one of the biggest series in history.
The surf rich coastline of Margaret River will play host to the first of three events which will also travel to Geraldton and the Perth metropolitan beaches, crowing state champions across eight divisions. This year marks a major revamp of the WA state level competitions with a host of new and exciting sponsors all adding to what should be an incredible year of contest surfing. New sponsors mean that the competitors can expect more at these events than ever before.
Surfing WA Events Manager Justin Majeks commented saying, "We've been working hard to ensure that we'll be attracting strong surfers to the Pro Am Series, we're including prize money for the open division, heaps of awesome prizes from our industry sponsors and not to mention added incentives such as positions into the trials event at the Drug Aware Pro Margaret River in April this year."
The Health Insurance Fund of Australia (HIF) are the new naming rights sponsor for 2011 and are thrilled to support Surfing WA's newly formatted Pro Am Series and also the WA State Longboard Titles, whilst continuing their awesome support of the Drug Aware Pro.
HIF Managing Director, Graeme Gibson said "HIF's increased involvement in the WA surfing scene is an important step in confirming our commitment to supporting a healthy lifestyle amongst the surfing community."
Mr Gibson continued saying "HIF is proudly West Australian and a successful not-for-profit health insurer, it is also Australia's fastest growing health fund, so it makes sense for HIF to partner another successful organisation in WA Surfing. HIF is also Australia's first and only Carbon Neutral (No CO2) health fund, and like surfers we respect our environment. That's why we want to assist organisations including Surfing WA, other groups and communities that function in harmony with our unique WA coast to promote a sustainable future for our up and coming grommets."
Margaret River and the surrounding locations share a long connection with West Australian surfing history, providing some of the most consistent and powerful waves in the world. The iconic location will surely provide an ideal setting for some of the state's best competitors to do battle for all important end of year ratings points.
"Margaret River provides us with plenty of options as far as waves go and with so many quality surfers hailing from the South-West, it makes perfect sense to kick off the series in Margaret River." Said Majeks.
A stellar line-up of surfers who are eager to check out the first event of 2011 includes last years State Open Champion Dave Delroy-Carr (Mosman Park), who's combination of style and power will be hard to beat. The former Margaret River local will be one to watch if there is some solid surf on offer with a reputation for taking on the big stuff.
"If the event is at Gas Bay I'll be so stoked. Its probably one of my favourite waves in the world and such a great contest venue. The wave offers so much barrels, big sections to hit and big aerial opportunities" He said.
Delroy-Carr will be challenged by a strong field of South-West surfers including former world # 3 Dave Macaulay (Gracetown), ASP Pro Junior surfers Jerome Forrest, Matt Baldock, Jethro Headstrom (Margaret River), and Ryan Wordsworth (Dunsborough) who have all posted impressive results in 2010 and are all eager to pull on the coloured rash vest once again.
Entries for the HIF Pro Am Series are available online at www.surfingwa.com.au with entries closing at 4:00pm, Wednesday 23rd February 2011. For more information on this event or any other surfing event in WA be sure to contact Surfing WA on (08) 9448 0004.
HIF Pro Am Series presented by SunSmart & proudly supported by Firewire Surfboards, Otis Eyewear, Future Fins, Brownes Chill, PowerBalance & Surfing WA.
For more information of this event contact:
Justin Majeks - Event Manager
T: +61 8 9448 0004
Nick Woolacott - Event Photographer
T: +61430 434 022