To be known as the Pacific Coast Pro in association with the Commonwealth Bank, the event's prize purse of $US35 000 is destined to attract some of the biggest names in the surfing world.
And as if that alone wasn't good enough news, the Tinkler Sports Group has agreed to underwrite the event up to-and-including 2015.
Just 48 hours ago, it seemed almost certain that the premier surfing event in
New South Wales would not be able to offer a contest for women professional surfers at the 2011 Burton Toyota Surfest.
Chair of the
Legendary
Pacific
Coast and Tourism Hunter Executive Manager Sheridan Ferrier said that the women’s surfing event aligned with the philosophy of the
Legendary
Pacific
Coast, which is the top tourism drive in
Australia.
"On behalf of the tourism industry along the
Legendary
Pacific
Coast we are delighted to sponsor the ‘Pacific Coast Pro’ as it provides an opportunity for all coastal tourism operators to align themselves with surfing to promote the legendary beaches along the drive,” Ms Ferrier said.
Merewether beach is not only one of
Lennox and Cresent Head as a National Surfing Reserve.
CBA’s Executive Manager for Local Business Banking Colin Law said the bank was very looking forward to being involved.
“The Commonwealth Bank is very pleased to be able to partner with the Legendary Pacific Coast Tour, to ensure that a world class women’s event forms part of this year’s Surfest.
“With a strong focus on women in business, an existing involvement with women’s surfing via the Layne Beachley classic, and a desire to support events that generate an injection of funds to local economies, this partnership is a natural fit," he said.
CEO of the Tinkler Sports Group Troy Palmer said the organisation has given a commitment to underwrite the women’s surfing event for the next five years.
“We think it’s important to have a top-tiered event for the women surfers and will work with the event to help find sponsors to secure its long-term future,” Mr Palmer said.
“Our underwriting commitment is $50 000 each year until 2015, with annual increments of $5000.
“Everyone wants to see the best surfers here and the underwriting of the event will give organisers the boost they need to ensure that happens,” Mr Palmer said.
And already the Association of Professional Surfers have received overnight confirmations from the some of the world’s best female surfers – including world number two Sally Fitzgibbons; 2011 women’s world tour rookie, 16-year-old Tyler Wright; three-time winner at Newcastle, Rebecca Woods; 2009 junior world champ Laura Enever, Brazilian hot shot Jacqueline Silva; and Kiwi sensation Paige Hareb.
“Thirty-seven of the top 100 women in the world have already emailed me wanting a start in the event,” said ASP Tour manager Al Hunt.
“I reckon we will get a fair few more entries but some of the surfers would not have checked their email as yet.
Surfest chief Warren Smith couldn’t hide a whopping grin.
‘I’m totally blown away,” Mr Smith said.
“Not only is it great that The Legendary Pacific Coast have come on board to ensure we will see some of the best women surfers in the world, but to get an ongoing agreement for underwriting women’s surfing from the Tinkler Sports Group is just fantastic.
“Locals and visitors are going to see the best male and female surfers in the world and everywhere I go in the Hunter, that's what people tell me they want to see” he said.
Check out http://www.surfest.com/ for the schedule of all the action at the 2011 Burton Toyota Surfest.
