They’ve already scored free burritos for a year and now Sunshine Coast surfers are hungry for a big pay day on the national circuit.
A handful of the region’s best board riders earned $2000 and Mad Mex burritos for 12 months, after winning qualifying events on the $50,000 Australian Open of Surfing Tour.
Now, they’re determined to press their claims for a bigger slice of the prize money in the grand-final at Bondi on October 15, when the men’s and women’s winners will claim $10,000 each.
Cooper Davies and Alister Reginato will lead the charge in the men’s division, after starring in qualifying events at Coffs Harbour and Coolum Beach respectively.
Reginato said the cash was a huge incentive and it pushed him to surf his best.
“The prize money means a lot to us surfers as it’s not cheap to compete,” he said.
“We’re super grateful Surfing Queensland and Surfing NSW have put on this tour and the opportunity to win some decent coin.”
Meanwhile, Coco Cairns will be one to watch in the women’s division at Bondi, after winning the Sunshine Coast Open at Coolum.
“I really enjoyed the single-wave format, especially in tricky conditions,” she said.
She looked forward to the decider at Bondi.
“Winning the $10,000 at the final would be a huge help with travelling and chasing the (World) Qualifying Series in 2023.”
The top 10 male and female surfers from each of the two qualifying events have been invited to compete at the grand-final.
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