The world's surfing elite will visit Newcastle, Narrabeen, Margaret River and Rottnest Island for the Australian leg of CT events.

Cancellation of historic events, private flights with athletes, more tournaments in New South Wales, are some of the different ingredients that the Australian World Surf League surf season will have in 2021.

The World Surf League (WSL) confirmed the updated schedule for the Australian leg of the Championship Tour (CT), announcing its next three events in North Narrabeen (NSW), Margaret River (WA), and Rottnest Island (WA). The WSL also announced the cancellation of the Corona Open Gold Coast.

Australian leg of the 2021 WSL championship:

- Newcastle Cup from April 1st to 11th.

- Narrabeen Classic from April 16 to 26.

- Margaret River Pro from May 2nd to 12th.


- Rottnest Search from May 16 to 26.

Costa Rican Brisa Hennessy would be present at the events and would defend her current ninth place that she obtained after the Hawaiian stage.

The WSL will concentrate its Australian CT events in New South Wales and Western Australia, following approvals for pre-approved quarantine bubbles.

The WSL was unable to create these bubbles in Victoria and Queensland in the short timeframe it needed to do so, but was able to do so in Western Australia, hence the two events in each state given that the international athletes' charter lands in New South Wales.

Last week, the WSL announced an agreement with the New South Wales government that will allow all international competitors to board a private flight in Los Angeles, landing in Sydney. Once in Australia, all traveling athletes and support staff will undergo a mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine and must receive medical clearance from public health officials before entering the wider community and preparing for the competition in Newcastle.

The WSL will implement a robust COVID-19 health and safety plan for each CT date, in accordance with federal and state guidelines. The WSL's health and safety plan includes physical distancing measures, temperature checks, enhanced high-touch cleaning at the event venue, contact tracing procedures, sanitizing stations throughout the venue, and minimal on-site staffing.

Alongside Margaret River on the elite CT tour, there will be three new CT stops in New South Wales and Western Australia. The first stop of the Australian leg will see the Championship Tour head to the professional surfing hub of Merewether Beach in Newcastle, continuing over 35 years of professional surfing history in this iconic Australian city.

After Newcastle, the CT heads south to Sydney's northern beaches and on to North Narrabeen. Like Newcastle, North Narrabeen has a rich surfing heritage that has produced some of the biggest names in the sport. Home to legends such as Simon Anderson, Nathan Hedge, Laura Enever, and Damien Hardman, to name a few, North Narrabeen boasts some of the highest-performing left-handers.

Due to COVID-19, Australian CT events will be held based on state border closures, strictly adhering to federal and state government guidelines and restrictions. All tour stops and dates are subject to change due to applicable COVID-19-related restrictions, including global travel restrictions.