Western Australia enters event season

HIF Pro Am Series

Surfing WA
Margaret River, Southwest Australia Line 2
2 - 3 February 2013

SunSmart presents the Health Insurance Fund of Australia (HIF) Pro Am Series 2013

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 30 January, 2013 : - - The start of the Surfing WA state surfing series' for 2013 is building momentum as the Health Insurance Fund of Australia (HIF) WA Pro Am Series approaches its commencement this weekend.

Surfers from right across the state have been fine tuning their skills over the summer in preparation for what is shaping up to be a huge year of competitive surfing within Western Australia.

The surf rich coastline of Margaret River will play host to the first of three events which will also travel to Geraldton in May and will conclude on Rottnest Island in June, crowing state surfing champions across ten divisions.
 
Surfing WA Events Manager Justin Majeks commented saying, "We've been working hard to ensure that we'll again be attracting the states best surfers to the HIF Pro Am Series, we're including prize money for the open division, plus heaps of awesome prizes from our industry sponsors and not to mention added incentives such as positions into the trials event at the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro this March."

The Health Insurance Fund of Australia will continue their support of WA surfing as the naming rights sponsor for the 2013 Pro Am Series, the 2013 WA Longboard & SUP Titles as well as supporting WA's biggest surfing event the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro.

HIF Managing Director, Graeme Gibson said, "HIF's continued involvement in the WA surfing scene is an important step in confirming our commitment to supporting a healthy lifestyle amongst the surfing community."

“HIF is proudly West Australian and a successful not-for-profit health insurer, it is also one of Australia’s fastest growing health funds, so it makes sense to us to continue our partnership with another successful organisation in WA Surfing." Graeme said.
 
Margaret River and the surrounding locations share a long connection with West Australian surfing history, providing some of the most consistent and powerful waves in the world. The iconic location will provide an ideal setting for over 70 of the state's best competitors to do battle for all important end of year ratings points.

Event officials are confident that despite a small swell forecast, that the south-west will provide more than enough quality waves for competitors.

"Margaret River provides us with plenty of options as far as waves go, so were optimistic we'll find the very best location available this weekend."

"With so many quality surfers hailing from the South-West, it makes perfect sense to kick off the first event of the series in Margaret River." Majeks said.

A stellar line-up of surfers who have entered the first HIF Pro Am Series event include former ASP World Tour competitor and Pipeline Master Jake Paterson (Yallingup). Since retiring, Paterson has typically only competed in the ASP Drug Aware Margaret River Pro, but is excited to pull on the coloured rash vest again at state level.

"I think I'm finally ready to have some fun competing after retiring from the professional circuit some time ago. These events are where I cut my teeth so it is great to be coming back to them."

"I really want to see WA on top at the Australian Titles. My brother Paul did well last year in Port Macquarie, so I really want to get that team spirit back whilst competing for my state and having fun doing it too." Paterson said.

Former Australian Champion Brett Hardy (Margaret River), will join the likes of Ian Macpherson (Wembly Downs), Andrew Sheridan (Margaret River) and Luke Hayter (Scarborough) who will bring some valuable experience when facing some of the state's best up and coming talents including Max Marsden (Geraldton), and Margaret River duo Shaun Manners and Josh Burke.

The mix of exciting young talent and accomplished surfers is set to see the opening event of the HIF Pro Am Series kick off in style.

www.surfingwa.com.au

Source: Surfing WA

Author: Justin Majeks

Tags: Trigg Beach, Surfing WA, HIF, Margaret River

Contests: Surfersvillage