Nov 4-9.
SA wins Kangaroo Island Pro surfing event
SOUTH Australia has secured a World Tour surfing event - the day after picking up the national swimming trials. The inaugural Kangaroo Island Pro will be held at Vivonne Bay from November 4 to 9.
Former world champion Mark Occhilupo is already confirmed as a starter and he will be joined by up to 150 top male surfers from around the world.
The Kangaroo Island Pro will be the first time South Australia has hosted an ASP World Tour surfing competition - the highest-rated surfing event SA can currently attract on the ASP World Tour.
Presented by Sealink, the event is expected to inject about $2.5 million into the local economy in its first year.
Tourism Minister John Rau said the event would showcase Kangaroo Island and South Australia to the world.
"The Kangaroo Island Pro will provide a fantastic opportunity to promote Kangaroo Island as a wonderful surfing and tourism destination, and it will also bring a new market of tourists to this amazing island," he said.
The six-star ASP World Tour surfing event will attract prize money of $US145,000, the highest amount possible in its first year.
Surfing Australia will look at building a festival around the event. Camping facilities for about 5000 people will be available and Sealink will offer packages to the event.
Also competing at the event will be SA's Dion Atkinson, who is ranked 39th in the world, and current state champion Teale Vanner, who is from Kangaroo Island.