HOSSEGOR, France (Wednesday, February 23, 2022) - The World Surf League Europe today announced its regional events scheduled for the remainder of the 2021-22 Qualifying Series events to be held before the season concludes in April.
Surfers will have three more opportunities to rack up the all-important QS points and qualify for the Challenger Series which starts in May.
Competition will return to Israel firstly, for a fifth edition of the Seat Pro Netanya from March 15-27, 2022. The QS3,000 event will welcome both male and female athletes for the first time since 2017 at the iconic break of Netanya, a half-hour drive North of Tel Aviv. Punchy breakbreaks, beautiful weather and plenty of adventures await surfers as they embark on the final competitive run before the season ends.
"We're extremely happy to have the SEAT Pro Netanya back on the Qualifying Series schedule after a two-year hiatus," Yossi Zamir, event organizer said. "This year we're stoked to welcome the women again as well. Moving to March is great for this event as we'll enjoy warmer weather and hopefully good waves which should draw great crowds to support the surfers and enjoy all the action."
After a short break, they will then reach the shores of Portugal for back-to-back events, starting at the Estrella Galicia Caparica Surf Fest 2022 from April 5-10, and the Estrella Galicia Pro Santa Cruz presented by Noah Surf House the following week from April 12-16, 2022.
Teresa Bonvalot (PRT), Winner in Caparica in 2021. - WSL / Pedro Mestre
A very familiar leg for regional surfers in Europe, both breaks usually provide great conditions on the swell-battered West-facing coast of Portugal. Between the city vibe of Caparica just on the outskirts of Lisbon and the rural side of Santa Cruz, surfers enjoy a variety of scenery and non-stop Spring action in Portugal.
"This leg is huge for surfers who ultimately look to qualify for the elite tour," Francisco Spinola, WSL E.M.E.A General Manager stated. "It's a whole process and it starts right here, with two big QS3,000 events in two weeks, on different but both quality waves. There's a lot at stake for the athletes and we're happy to provide them with good opportunities to perform before we switch our focus to the Challenger Series."
Vasco Ribeiro (PRT), Winner in Santa Cruz in 2021. - WSL / Pedro Mestre
When the dust settles in Santa Cruz, the European Qualifying Series rankings will have decided the Men's Top 9 And Women's Top 7, as well as two wildcards, who have made the cut for the 2022 Challenger Series. In its inaugural full season, the tour will take some of the most talented athletes on the planet across 4 continents, 8 locations to determine who qualifies for the ultimate dream of surfing on the Championship Tour next year.
The Challenger Series will feature two epic stops on the European continent again this year in Autumn. Surfers will take on the perfect rights of Ribeira d'Ilhas for the EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira in Portugal and enjoy some of the world's best beachbreaks at the Quiksilver and ROXY Pro France in Capbreton / Hossegor / Seignosse.
World Surf League Cancels 2022 Rip Curl Pro Search Taghazout Bay
Crowd and Line-up at Anchor Point - WSL / Laurent Masurel
The continued COVID19 pandemic effects on travel restrictions have forced WSL officials, event partners and local organization committee to cancel the 2022 edition and focus on bringing it back in 2023.
Initially scheduled from February 21-27, the World Surf League has tried to reposition the event in March, together with the remaining QS events of the 2021-22 season, but the schedule didn't leave space between the event in Israel and both Portuguese events.
"After a memorable first edition in 2020 and the cancellation in 2021 due to the pandemic, we really looked forward to returning to Taghazout Bay to start 2022 with a bang," Cheyne Bradburn, WSL Europe's Events & Marketing Manager stated. "We took a lot of time and considered every option with our partners but we couldn't wait any longer and had to call this year's event off, to start moving ahead for 2023."
"We deeply regret that this event can't happen this year," Mathieu Lefin, Rip Curl Europe CEO stated. "However we feel this is a sensitive decision considering the current circumstances. We really want to host this event in the best possible conditions for both athletes and fans. We have reiterated our commitment to the WSL in supporting this event and are really hoping that all conditions align for us in 2023."
"We really hoped to host this event again and help boost the Taghazout Bay destination and its region with an even better event than in 2020," Laïla Bensouda, Deputy General Manager of Taghazout Bay stated. "But as all the parties involved, Taghazout Bay will remain engaged in a common goal to bring the Rip Curl Pro Search Taghazout Bay back in 2023 and continue to grow it in future years."
The World Surf League and its partners will now look to schedule the event in early 2023 during the best season for waves in hopes of running another epic event in Taghazout Bay.
COVID-19 Updates
The health and safety of our athletes, staff, and the local community are of the utmost importance and we have been working closely with local authorities to put a robust set of procedures in place to keep everyone safe. This includes pre-event screening, testing protocols, and minimal personnel on site. In accordance with local and national guidelines, on-site masks and physical distancing are required.