Surf stars Stephanie Gilmore, Sally Fitzgibbons, Julian Wilson and Owen Wright headline the Aussies out to make a splash when the World Surf League (WSL) returns on Seven this Sunday with the Australian Grand Slam of Surfing’s opening event – the Tweed Coast Pro.
Gilmore, Fitzgibbons, Wilson and Wright will make up Australia’s entire surfing team for the Olympic Games in Tokyo next July, but they’re just some of the big names who’ll take to the water at Cabarita Beach on Sunday when the WSL returns to the ocean for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began.
Star-studded fields of 12 will contest both the men’s and women’s events that run across Sunday and Monday, with the action kicking off at 7.00am AEST on Sunday LIVE and FREE on 7mate and 7plus.
In the women’s event, seven-time world champion Gilmore and 2011 runner-up Fitzgibbons will face stiff opposition from two-time world champ Tyler Wright and one of surfing’s most exciting young talents Molly Picklum.
While in the men’s, the always entertaining Mikey Wright – the brother of Owen and Tyler – and Margaret River prodigy Jack Robinson are among the other leading contenders.
Managing Director Seven Melbourne and Head of Network Sport Lewis Martin commented:
“This spring is shaping up as the most spectacular festival of sport we’ve ever seen on Seven – and welcoming the World Surf League to our coverage just adds to the sense of excitement. Fans will see Australia’s very best surfers go head to head at some of surfing’s most iconic locations, as one of the world’s most thrilling sports finally gets back into the water.”
Seven’s commentary team will be led by prominent surf journalists Ronnie Blakey and Vaughan Blakey, along with former tour surfers Laura Enever, Richie Lovett, Luke Munro and Jodie Cooper.
Fans can also keep up to date with all the action at @7Sport on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Australian Grand Slam of Surfing runs until October 31 and also includes the Boost Mobile Pro Gold Coast and Margaret River Pro.
TV Broadcast times:
World Surfing League
Australian Grand Slam of Surfing: Tweed Coast Pro
Sunday September 13
Sydney 7.00am LIVE on 7mate and 7plus; 10.00am LIVE on 7plus
Melbourne 7.00am LIVE on 7mate and 7plus; 10.00am LIVE on 7plus
Brisbane 7.00am LIVE on 7mate and 7plus; 10.00am LIVE on 7plus
Adelaide 6.30am LIVE on 7mate and 7plus; 9.30am LIVE on 7plus
Perth 5.00am LIVE on 7mate and 7plus; 8.00am LIVE on 7plus
Monday September 14
Sydney 7.00am LIVE on 7plus
Melbourne 7.00am LIVE on 7plus
Brisbane 7.00am LIVE on 7plus
Adelaide 6.30am LIVE on 7plus
Perth 5.00am LIVE on 7plus