Olympic medallist, former World Champ back Snapper Rocks as Brisbane 2032 Olympic surfing venue
An Olympic medallist and former World Champion surfer are calling for the International Olympic Committee to lock in one of Australia’s most famous breaks as the host of surfing at the 2032 Games. Here’s why.
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An Olympic medallist and former World Champion surfer have called on the International Olympic Committee to lock in world renowned Superbank Snapper Rocks as the host of surfing at the 2032 Games.
Returning for its third year on Thursday, the Cup will feature international entrants for the first time, elevating the boardrider competition even further as the world’s best look towards Paris 2024, and even further at the Brisbane Olympics.
Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Amuro Tsuzuki of Japan said Snapper was a perfect spot for her to train before Paris, and it was “definitely” an ideal location for the Brisbane Games.
CHECK OUT THE 2022 USHER CUP GALLERY
“Definitely, this is a really good experience before Paris,” Tsuzuki said.
“I love Snapper because there are some good waves here, they’re long waves.
“This is really good experience for me, I just want to try hard and have fun. But the aim is to win for sure.”
Santa Cruz surfer Eden Edwards said she too felt it would be “awesome” to hold the event at Snapper Rocks after surfing here over the week in the lead up the Usher Cup.
“Especially with the short period swells that just produce so many waves back to back, it’s really exciting and fun to watch from a view perspective as well as the opportunity for surfing.
“I think it would be an epic place (to hold it).”
Usher Cup co-founder and former world champion Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew said Snapper brought something “special” to surfing.
“It gives you that feeling that something special is happening,” Rabbit said.
“I’ve been to a lot of international events but to host one here, the first world class championship, it’s really exciting.
“The Gold Coast is blessed with some of the best sand bottom point breaks on the planet, this is an incredible venue, it’s absolutely a potential Olympic Games venue. This is a bit of a curtain raiser really.”
The Usher Cup will feature Aussie club favourites Noosa, North Shelley, Kingscliff, D’Bah and Snapper Rocks, along with the USA’s Santa Cruz, Huntington Beach, Maui, Bali’s Padma, New Zealand’s Raglan Point, and Japan.
An attractive prize pool of $84,4000 has been set for the Cup, with the winning club taking away $7000 – equal for male and female winners.
Check out the top surfers to watch at the Usher Cup
Morgan Cibilic: The highest ranked surfer to compete at the Cup is Aussie Morgan Cibilic. Ranked No. 27 on the 2022 Men’s Championship Tour, he’s a Merewether local and was Surfing Australia’s 2022 Male Surfer of the Year.
Amuro Tsuzuki: Japanese surfer Amuro Tsuzuki was a Bronze medallist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Rio Waida: Waida is a young Balinese surfer who has just made the Championship Tour, becoming the first Indonesian surfer to do so. His story is inspirational and his surfing just as mesmerising.
Roberson brothers: Three surfing brothers from Maui in Hawaii. Youngest brother Steve just rode a 70 foot wave at Jaws in Maui last week.
Jaggar Bartholomew: 21-year-old local who has his eyes set on a world title and Olympic gold. His determination and ambition will no doubt be evident on the water this weekend.
Sheldon Simkus: Gold Coast local and last year’s Usher Cup champion.
Brent Dorrington: Veteran surfer and No. 33 on the Qualifying Series.
Damien Rogers: After finding a part of his surfboard lodged in his skull a year ago, Coolangatta local Damien Rogers will be this year’s wildcard to watch. The 20-year-old will be competing with a gath helmet – you won’t want to miss him.
Dimity Stoyle: Another Aussie surfer from the Sunshine Coast lauded as one to watch by Usher co-founders Theo Vairaktaris and Rabbit.
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