The prestigious World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) is returning to Barbados over the Easter holiday.
For the second straight year, the Barbados Surf Pro Men’s and Women’s QS 3 000 will be held at Drill Hall Beach on the island’s south coast from March 27 to April 1.
The event will once again showcase a number of Barbados’ rising surfers such as Che Allan, Chelsea Tuach, Josh Burke and Chelsea Roett.
Allan, who finished his Pro Junior career with a second-consecutive appearance at the World Junior Championship, is now a full-time Qualifying Series competitor.
“After being on the other side of the world for three months doing QS events, it’s so good to have a big event at home where you’re sleeping in your own bed,” noted Allan, who has been campaigning with fair success in Australia.
“Surfing your home breaks and surrounded by your family and friends is hard to beat. There are a lot of young surfers coming up in Barbados and watching the best surfers in the world compete really inspires them to keep improving to get to that level,” added Allan.
But Allan said it is going to be a strain on his shoulders competing at home.
“I feel a lot of pressure performing in front of my home crowd, but having a few points in the bank early definitely takes away some stress. Hopefully, I can perform and take advantage of the opportunity to get some points,” he said.
Burke, 20, who finished 128th on the International QS rankings last year, said it helps Barbados and the Caribbean to have these qualifying events.
“It’s a must. Not only does it cut cost for the underrated Caribbean surfers, but it gives them opportunity to watch some of the world’s best,” noted Burke, who will be vying for a chance to crack the Top 100 this season as well as gain qualification for the Championship Tour.
Burke said that after starting the year with a third-place at the Florida Pro and then getting some “fun waves” during the Hawaii Pipe Pro, he is confident competing on his home surf.
On the women’s side, Roett and Tuach will be out to impress.
The 22-year-old Tuach said having the Barbados Surf Pro QS 3 000 back on schedule this year is a massive opportunity for Barbadians.
“There are myself and the other Bajan surfers who are competing full-time on the QS and looking to gain crucial points in our backyard,” she said. (EZS)