After a record setting field of competitors in 2014, the World Surf League (WSL) Women’s Qualification Series (QS) Supergirl Pro comes back with even more to offer at the Oceanside Pier starting today, July 24 through July 26, 2015. Extending the field of competitors to 108, the Women’s QS6000 event welcomes the world’s best female surfers back to Oceanside, California to do battle for the 2015 title.
Women’s Championship Tour (CT) surfer Malia Manuel is looking forward to the Supergirl Pro, a title she claimed just two years ago in 2013, with the opportunity that it presents for the women.
“I can’t begin to explain how excited all of the girls are about this event,” Manuel said. “It’s so amazing to have a contest like this in the U.S. that focuses entirely on women’s surfing. I’ve been to the event every year and it gets bigger and better each time.”
WSL Women’s Commissioner Jessi Miley-Dyer said this event will play a vital part for these competitors.
“With the event currently representing the only major women’s qualifying event in the U.S., this contest is extremely important in the girls’ qualification process for next year’s CT,” Miley-Dyer said. “In addition to valuable QS points and prize money, the North American regional surfer ranked highest on the QS following the Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro will be awarded the WSL Wild Card into the Vans US Open of Surfing CT event, taking place next week in Huntington Beach.”
This year’s Supergirl Pro is bringing out plenty of heavy-hitters from the CT, including defending champion Sage Erickson (USA), current World No. 2 Courtney Conlogue (USA), and many more including Malia Manuel (HAW), Coco Ho (HAW), Lakey Peterson (USA), Laura Enever (AUS), Alessa Quizon (HAW), Los Cabos Open of Surf champion Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), Johanne Defay (FRA), and Dimity Stoyle (AUS).
Vice President of Global Sports and Events at John Paul Mitchell Systems, Julie Solwold, spoke on behalf of the company and its level of excitement for what this event can do for the women surfers.
“Paul Mitchell is thrilled to be involved with such an amazing group of women, and we are proud to have the largest field of talent in women’s surfing competition at our event,” said Solwold. “These girls have style, grace, beauty, and athleticism that align perfectly with our brand. We are excited to help them gain much-deserved exposure for their sport.”
While some of the best women in the world take to the water, the event features a Festival Village that will include live bands, comedy, art, yoga, fitness, dance, female surf films, seminars, autographs from pros, celebrities, skateboarding, a food truck experience, free hair styling by Paul Mitchell, and much more.
Rick Bratman, CEO of ASA Entertainment, the event’s management company and one of the leading producers of action sports events and television programming in the U.S., is excited to see the event grow even more.
“We are really pleased about the expansion of the Paul Mitchell Supergirl Pro in 2015 both in and out of the water,” said Bratman. “Last year it was the largest female event in WSL history and we have topped that record again in 2015. We are proud to have supported women’s surfing for nine years and to have provided a platform for important causes such as sustainability and breast cancer awareness.”
Joining John Paul Mitchell Systems and ASA Entertainment in their excitement, Executive Vice President of Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Karen McTier, said this event shows the true grit of these women.
“The Supergirl S-Shield is the universally recognized symbol of strength and empowerment and is the perfect icon to represent this inspiring event,” said McTier. “We are excited to be back for the 9th year of the series to celebrate these surfing super heroes.”
