On February 3, more than 120 surfers from the Australia / Oceania region will compete in the BYD Pro presented by Rip Curl & Pirate Life, a World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) event. The competition, now a QS 3000, will take place at URBNSURF Melbourne, Australia’s first surf park.

URBNSURF will feature a new competition setting for the athletes, following the success of the inaugural QS event it hosted in 2022.

“The WSL is excited to continue working with URBNSURF Melbourne to grow this fantastic event to a QS 3000 in 2024,” said Andrew Stark, WSL APAC President. “Events in wave systems like this are important to the WSL and a great opportunity for our surfers who get to compete for valuable points and prize money in a scheduled, one-day format. We look forward to seeing events like this continue to pop up in other regions around the world and thank the team at URBNSURF Melbourne for the continued support.”

Local surfer Tully Wylie, currently second on the regional QS rankings, could secure a spot on the World Surf League Challenger Series for 2024 with a strong performance. Dakoda Walters and Philippa Anderson, leaders in the regional QS rankings, as well as Olympian Billy Stairmand, will compete alongside other notable talent, including former Championship Tour competitor Nikki Van Dijk and World Junior Champion Sierra Kerr.

“We are so lucky to have a park that has the unique Wavegarden technology, open and undercover spaces and the awesome team of staff to facilitate and host large events like the BYD URBNSURF QS 3000,” said Damon Tudor, CEO of URBNSURF. “We cannot wait to welcome some of the best homegrown surfing talent from across the region, serve up perfect waves and celebrate with fans of the sport and surfing lifestyle.”

Ellie Harrison, a Victorian-born surfer, expressed excitement about the event. “This is one of the biggest WSL events on the calendar, and I’m so excited to be kicking off the 2024 series at URBNSURF in February. It’s the perfect conditions for a competition like the WSL QS 3000 and even better that surfing fans can be up close and personal with all of the athletes competing at the point at the back of the lagoon,” she said. “This qualifying series is an important one to smash through and gain some points at the start of the calendar year.”

Xavier Huxtable, who won the final at the 2022 Rip Curl Pro URBNSURF QS1000 presented by Pirate Life, is looking forward to competing again.

“I was stoked to take the win at my home state for the QS1000 at URBNSURF in 2022; I’m even more stoked that I’ll get the chance to compete again at URBNSURF, and this time for the BYD Pro QS 3000,” he said. “The atmosphere was insane in the water last time, and it’s a really unique competing experience compared to other events.”

James Miles, URBNSURF Head of Sales & Partnerships, commented on the event’s organization. “We’re thrilled to be able to host once again another WSL qualifying series, with this year’s BYD Pro QS3000 presented by Rip Curl & Pirate Life,” he said. “We have worked with Wavegarden and the WSL to ensure we continue to improve the waves and format to create the best possible event for surfers and spectators.”

The BYD Experience Hub will be present at URBNSURF Melbourne this summer and during the event, offering test drives of BYD’s electric vehicle models, including the ATTO 3 and the Oceanic Series with the DOLPHIN and SEAL.

General admission tickets are available for $10, with live music from Australian DJs and food and drink from the onsite restaurant, Three Blue Ducks.

The event will start at 9:30 am and conclude at 6:30 pm.

The 2024 BYD Pro QS 3000 Event will be held at URBNSURF Melbourne on February 3, 2024. For more details and live coverage, visit WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL YouTube channel, or download the WSL app.