Today, World Surf League (WSL) North America announced that the Barbados Surf Pro, the final event of the North America 2022/23 Qualifying Series (QS), upgraded from a QS 3,000 to a QS 5,000. This event will run March 27 – April 2 and include the fifth edition of the Live Like Zander Junior Pro In Memory of Zander Veneiza.
“To have this upgrade is a dream and to have the biggest surfing event in the English speaking Caribbean ever was just a thought 10 years ago,” said Barbados Surf Promotions Ltd. Co-Founder Christopher Clarke. “It was a tough road to get here with my partner Louis Venezia, with special thanks to the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., and Barbados Surfing Association for helping make it a reality. It is a big deal to also celebrate the life of our beloved Zander Venezia by keeping the Junior event as a memorial of him.”
“Being able to give our local surfers a chance to raise their level with this quality of event is an amazing opportunity,” added Clarke. “We have had many competitors come to this event over the years and the ones that have won have paved their way to a very successful surfing careers. Hopefully Mother Nature gives us some good vibes and swells to go along with this dream.”
The upgrade increases the prize purse to $50,000, $25,000 for both men and women, offering the winner $10,000 and 5,000 critical points. The event started as a QS 3,000 on the south coast of Barbados’ island nation, at Drill Hall Beach, in 2017 & 2018 before returning as a QS 3,000 in 2022 at the famed wave of Soup Bowl. Corey Garrett, Director of Caribbean and Latin America, Sports, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc, excitedly commented, “For the Barbados Surf Pro to receive such a major upgrade speaks volumes to the quality of Barbados’ surfing circuit and shows the world that Barbados is indeed a sporting destination. Sport is a substantial pillar in our marketing strategy as we continuously diversify the island’s tourism product. Our goal is to build a sustainable destination that visitors can enjoy all 365 days so sports like surfing is essential to this mission.”
Located on the island’s East Coast, Bathsheba plays host to the conclusion of the regional QS season once more after Barbados’ own Chelsea Tuach earned her first QS victory in home waters. Now, Tuach, along with the likes of Josh Burke (BRB), Chelsea Roett (BRB), Caleb Rapson (BRB), and more will try to keep the event titles at home.
“The connection I feel towards Soup Bowl is hard to put into words so I feel very grateful for every chance I get to compete out there and every chance I get to share it with surfers from across our region,” said Tuach. “The win last year was a breakthrough for me. I let a lot of the noise go and got to enjoy the entire process, reminding myself of why I love competing. It was the most special win of my career and I can’t wait to put the jersey back on at home in 2023, especially knowing it’s been upgraded to the biggest QS event in our region. I can’t wait for Soup Bowl to turn on for everybody.”
Pictured: One of 2022’s event standouts and Barbados’ own, Caleb Rapson, looks to shake up the rankings once more at home. Credit: © WSL / Nichols
Three more events remain on the 2022/23’ season, but, with 5,000 points on the line, anything can happen as competitors look to qualify for the 2023 Challenger Series at their shot toward Championship Tour (CT) qualification.
It will be great to end the 2022/23 North American Regional Qualifying Series at the iconic Soup Bowl wave and may the best competitors excel. We have had many competitors come to this event over the years and the ones that have won have paved their way to a very successful surfing careers. Hopefully Mother Nature gives us some good vibes and swells to go along with this dream.”
2022/23 North America Qualifying Series Remaining Schedule
SLO CAL Open Morro Bay QS 1,000 – February 23 – 26
Ron Jon Quiksilver/ROXY Pro QS 1,000 – March 8 – 12
Cabarete Pro powered by Carambola House QS 3,000 – March 15 – 18
Barbados Surf Pro QS 3,000 – March 28 – April 2
2023 North America Pro Junior Remaining Schedule
Ron Jon Quiksilver/Roxy Pro Junior – March 8 – 12
Barbados Surf Pro QS – March 28 – April 2
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
ENDS
About Barbados
The island of Barbados offers a unique Caribbean experience steeped in rich history and colourful culture, and rooted in remarkable landscapes. Barbados is the home of two of the three remaining Jacobean Mansions left in the Western hemisphere, as well as fully functional rum distilleries. In fact, this island is known as the birthplace of rum, commercially producing and bottling the spirit since the 1700s. Each year, Barbados hosts several world-class events including the annual Barbados Food and Rum Festival; the annual Barbados Reggae Festival; and the annual Crop Over Festival, where celebrities such as Lewis Hamilton and its very own Rihanna are often spotted. Accommodations are wide and varied, ranging from picturesque plantation houses and villas to quaint bed and breakfast gems; prestigious international chains; and award-winning five-diamond resorts. In 2018, Barbados’ accommodation sector captured 13 awards in the Top Hotels Overall, Luxury, All-Inclusive, Small, Best Service, Bargain, and Romance categories of the ‘Traveler’s Choice Awards’. And getting to paradise is a breeze: the Grantley Adams International Airport offers plenty non-stop and direct services from a growing number of U.S., U.K., Canadian, Caribbean, European, and Latin American gateways, making Barbados the true gateway to the Eastern Caribbean. Visit Barbados and experience why for two years in a row it won the prestigious Star Winter Sun Destination Award at the ‘Travel Bulletin Star Awards’ in 2017 and 2018. For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org, follow on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/VisitBarbados, and via Twitter @Barbados.