Australian Open of Surfing to test one-wave format at Coffs Harbour
Cricket has its Big Bash, now surfing is rolling the dice with a Big Splash that is set to ignite the waves at Coffs Harbour, the Sunshine Coast and Bondi. Here’s how it will work.
Coffs Harbour
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Frenzy in the froth - that’s the helter-skelter thinking behind a dramatic format change for a prestigious surf event which will rock Coffs Harbour next month.
It’s a concept of ‘go big or go home’ for the competitors, who must try and dazzle on a single wave in a dramatically revamped Australian Open of Surfing competition.
Surfing NSW’s Sally Mac said the shortened nature of the event would be akin to the T20 revolution which had grabbed a fresh audience for cricket.
Coffs Harbour and the Sunshine Coast are the chosen venues for the Australian Open qualifying, with the final to roll at iconic Bondi.
As well as a one-wave format (surfers normally have two), there will be a slimmed down draw for the open which will see the qualifying leg of competition run for two days instead of three to five in traditional events.
The perform or perish final at Bondi will run on a single day.
The exact beach in Coffs Harbour for the competition on September 24-25 will be chosen only when the conditions are known so the challenge can be optimised.
“There’s so many amazing spots in Coffs Harbour so there’ll be plenty of choice,” Mac said.
“It will be interesting to see what people do and how they experiment with the one-wave format.”
One of the hottest young surfers on the planet, Sydney-based Eddy Hamaty, said he couldn’t wait to throw the dice at Coffs Harbour.
“I’m really pumped to see how everyone takes to the single-wave scoring,” World Qualifying Series competitor Hamaty said.
“I’m so stoked that Surfing NSW and Surfing Queensland have brought the tour back, and added some spice to it.”
The Australian Open of Surfing (AOS) is focused on providing a competitive platform for local boardrider club champions.
Traditionally a surfer’s heat total is made-up of two waves. This year’s AOS will see just one wave determine their final heat placing. The scoring format has been introduced to encourage progressive and radical surfing.
Coffs Harbour is something of a home away from home for Hamaty.
“I’ve had good results at Coffs,” he said.
“I made the semi finals there in the AOS previously. I’ve never surfed the Sunshine Coast, I’m looking forward to seeing the waves on offer.
“And as for Bondi, there will be so many people there ... it’s the perfect place for a tour final.”
With $50,000 up for grabs, the event will move from Coffs to the Sunshine Coast on October 1-2 before the Bondi showdown on October 15.
Surfing NSW CEO Luke Madden acknowledged the one-wave format was uncharted.
“We see this one-wave heat total format as something that could reinvigorate elite surfing competition,” Madden said.
“We can’t wait to see how surfers can use it to their advantage and what high-impact combinations they can come up with to impress the judges.”
There are 48 spots open in the men’s and women’s draws for the qualifier events with the top ranked surfers from these invited to compete in the grand final.
Surfers are required to compete in both qualifying events to have the chance of making Bondi.
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