Surf Open League has confirmed the SWS E-Pro Australia Men’s Open for the upcoming Australian leg of the Surf Web Series (SWS). The much anticipated E-Pro Australia arrives Down Under and will highlight world-class waves, top professional surfers and also local up-and-coming talent.
SWS has already confirmed competitors: Matt Banting who was leading the QS before Covid struck, Liam O’Brien, Sheldon Simkus, former U-16 World Junior Champion: Grayson Hinrichs, Kaito Kurokawa, brothers Jack & Alister Reginato, Joel & Hughie Vaughan, and 2021 Pro Jnr WSL Top Seed Marlon Harrison, Sammy Lowe, Dane Henry, Zukas Loining, Joshua Cabral, Riley Munro, Kane Pickard, Aidan Parsons, Dylan Moffat, Kyan Falvey, Billy Kean, and Ned Hart. New entries are arriving daily, and a growing list of up and coming talent is getting stronger every day.
We are also pleased to announce Surfboard Empire as naming rights title sponsor in addition to key partnerships with: Surfing Life Magazine, Addo Animus Pty Ltd, Ryan Softboards, Getagrip Surf Wax, and anticipate more announcements in the coming weeks. SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES ARE STILL AVAILABLE, CONTACT australia@surfwebseries.com for details.
The event features prizes of $6,000 (AUD) for the champion, $2,500 (AUD) for the runner-up, $250 (AUD) for semifinalists. Additional prizes include a “Best Tube Award” for the best single tube, and best air or single maneuver, and even spot prizes for the voting fans.
Liam O’Brien showing some upside-down antics.
The event will be contested over a 2-week period, with surfers battling it out on the internet. Entries are still open with just under 3 weeks to go before K.O. and surfers can register their interest by e-mail to: australia@surfwebseries.com or enter directly from the website link on www.surfwebseries.com/australia
THE FORMAT: Surf Web Series requires surfers to submit 7 videos of themselves riding waves up to 8ft faces, as moderated by our judges, anywhere in Australia during the 2020 calendar year. Once the clips have been registered with SWS, the heats are drawn, then the surfer decides which one of their 7 waves they want to use in that particular heat. The videos are then edited into a competitive heat format by SWS and released on social media. Heat results are released 24 hours later after the judging panel decisions and fans votes are calculated.
Engagement from the audience is an exciting feature of SWS events, as fans are encouraged to vote for the winners of each heat via social media commentary on the Surf Web Series’ Facebook and Instagram pages. The combined tally of fan votes is actually used as a fifth Judge.
SWS opens up much needed competition and opportunity while freeing surfers from the cost and time required to travel in these challenging times. Big wave, longboard and bodyboard events are also slated for the future to include even more talent from the world of surfing. The current season comprises a global shortboard tour with both male and female divisions, and SWS has already completed successful events in Mexico, South Africa, Chile and Japan. The series culminates in a world final in March of 2021.
Organizers: Surf Web Series is presented by the Surf Open League, created by founder and entrepreneur, Gustavo Duccini, working together with California surfing legend, shaper, and Big Wave Tour founder, Gary Linden.
Going into 2020, Matt Banting was leading the WSL Qualifying Series in first place. Adapting to the times of COVID-19 lockdown, he’s ready to compete in the E-Pro Australia representing his home country.
The #EProAustralia is made possible thanks to support from our growing list of sponsors and supporters:
SURFBOARD EMPIRE—Australia's biggest surfboard store, stocking: Lost, Mayhem, Firewire, Sharpeye, Pyzel, LSD, MR, Channel Islands, JS, and more.
RYAN SOFTBOARDS -- Gold Coast based Ryan Softboards have donated equipment and prizes for competitors and fans of the #EProAustralia, with voting fans going into the draw to win a brand new board from the Ryan Softboards quiver.
ADDO ANIMUS — Addo Animus Pty Ltd are Australian distributors of the Blazepod Reactive Training System. A specialist digital video analysis and sports tech company. Blazepods are a great addition to your home or professional training set up, and ideal for improving speed and reaction to help your general fitness and surfing performance.
GET A GRIP SURF WAX— Regular surf wax contains harmful petrochemicals that harm our oceans and marine life. As surfers we have a responsibility to help keep our oceans clean and that's why we created GETAGRIP Natural Surf Wax, an environmentally friendly surf wax that is sticky and long lasting. Our 100% natural surf wax is made in small batches at home on the Mid North Coast, NSW Australia. Do mother nature a favour and start making a difference by switching to an all natural surf wax!
SURFING LIFE MAGAZINE— Australia’s Favourite Surf Magazine publishes 6 issues based on the 6 pillars of the surfing experience - Surf Travel, Surf Culture, Waves, Technique, Surfboards and Surfer - each issue dedicated to that subject alone, providing the substance, depth and authority that will have a direct impact on your surfing. Surfing Life is active across six media channels (print, social, online, e-newsletters and events), making it one of the most influential, relevant and in-demand surf brands in Australia.
SURF OPEN LEAGUE—an international platform dedicated to promoting the sport of surfing and its many beaches around the world, founded in México in 2005.
Stay tuned for more announcements. Updates on the E-Pro Australia can be found on the Surf Web Series website: surfwebseries.com/australia
