This 9-16 May, the world’s best surfers will converge at North Narrabeen, one of our most iconic beaches, for the GWM Sydney Surf Pro, a pivotal stop on the World Surf League Challenger Series with valuable points and big dollars up for grabs.
An epic venue for the fans with plenty of vantage points, ‘Northy’ is arguably the most consistent and quality wave on the Northern Beaches. Famous for a long running left-hander that offers multiple turns, and the super high-performance Alley Rights, from knee high peelers to 10-foot bombs, Narra is always contestable.
Last year’s Sydney Surf Pro was an absolute cracker. Recently crowned Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach champion, Coleman Houshmand, won the event with a display of radical power surfing. On the women’s side, Queensland’s Isabella Nichols took the victory which helped secured her position on the 2024 Championship Tour.
Who’s going to win this year?
Well, if last year is anything to go off, it’ll be the surfer with a reliable air game who can also lay down some big power hacks and critical turns. Adaptation will be crucial as the conditions constantly change with the tides, and delivering a variety of manoeuvres will be the key to impressing the judges.
The men’s side features some up and coming local names to watch. Manly’s George Pittar had his first hit-out on the Challenger Series last year, really turning some heads, before recently getting his first crack at a WCT event courtesy of a wildcard entry into the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, proving he’s worthy of a position in the big leagues. I believe he’s a real threat to not only win the event but qualify for the 2025 WCT.
CS rookie Winter Vincent from Queenscliff will have a tonne of support from the beaches community and is another local who could do well. Joel Vaughan from the Central Coast is in great form, ready to take on the field with his mind-blowing air game. The Gold Coast’s Oscar Berry is my dark horse pick. His improvement over the last 12 months has been extraordinary. The lad has big moves, and his power approach has the potential to blow his competitors out of the water.
Of our Aussie women, 18-year-old Ellie Harrison is a great chance of taking the win, coming off a confidence building win at Newcastle in March. Like George, Ellie scored a wildcard into the Bells Beach WCT and defeated some big names on her way to making the quarterfinals, a huge result for the youngster. Powerful natural footer Kirra Pinkerton from San Clemente is one of the international surfers to watch. If she can find some rhythm, she’s a real chance of taking the win.
Where to watch
The GWM Sydney Surf Pro runs 9-16 May at North Narrabeen. Visit worldsurfleague.com, follow @wsl on socials, and get along to the event to check out the action.