Young local surfers will be recognised in front of some of the sport’s idols, at the presentation of the 2023 Gail Couper and Wayne Lynch Surf Coast Rising Star Surfing Awards.
The awards – launched by Surf Coast Shire Council in 2017 – recognise the highest-ranked Surf Coast Shire young male and female surfers of the past year. The up-and-coming stars will receive the honour as part of the Rip Curl Pro Welcome Event at Bells Beach on Monday 3 April.
This year’s female Rising Stars are Juliet Muscroft (under 18), Belle Day (under 18) and Dune Pruvot (under 16). The male Rising Stars are Willis Droomer (under 18), Remy Filer (under 16) and Jack Lindsay (under 16).
Surf Coast Shire Mayor Liz Pattison congratulated the six locals for their accolades.
“It takes huge commitment and a lot of talent to compete in various competitions and consistently gets results, so an award like this is well-deserved recognition,” she said.
“We hope the recipients enjoy the honour, especially the thrill of being acknowledged at the Welcome Event for the 2023 Rip Curl Pro which will have world-class athletes in the audience.”
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach – the spiritual home of surfing. The World Surf League (WSL) competition will be held from 4 April to 14 April.
“This major international event truly transforms Torquay, Jan Juc and surrounds. You can feel the special buzz it brings over the Easter period,” Mayor Pattison said.
“If you’re a 3228 resident, you receive free entry into the event by showing ID. For those wanting to watch the waves elsewhere, look for local businesses displaying a Rip Curl Pro banner as they will be streaming the competition for customers while they soak up some Surf Coast hospitality.”
For more information on the Rip Curl Pro and to stay up-to-date with other Surf Coast events, visit surfcoastevents.com.au.
The Rip Curl Pro Welcome for the event’s competitors on 3 April will also feature a Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony and cultural education session by Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Corrina Eccles. The latter is coordinated by WSL.
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