Surf News Network, 14 January, 2015 – Coolangatta – This year marks an exciting time for the sport of professional surfing, the Association of Surfing Professionals has been relaunched and rebranded as the World Surf League (WSL). The professional surfing Tour was founded in 1976 as the International Professional Surfers (IPS), in 1983 it transformed into the ASP and 2015 sees the ASP officially become the World Surf League (WSL).

Paul Speaker, WSL CEO gives some insight into changes as the Australasia region prepares to kick off the 2015 season.

“The ASP is now the World Surf League – the idea behind the transition is to provide easier access to the world’s best surfing for our fans, both new and old, as well as to further enhance the singular platform through which we can enjoy this wonderful sport. The goal of the ASP was to place the world’s best surfers in the world’s best waves. This same goal will be championed by the WSL moving forward.” said Speaker.

“I’d like to extend another heartfelt thank you to our global distribution and sponsor partners as well as to all our staff around the globe who dedicate their time, energy and efforts to the sport of kings. We share the passion of our fans and look forward to bringing you the unparalleled athleticism, adventure and competitive drama of professional surfing once again in 2015.” Speaker added.

The list below refers to the up-and-coming Championship Tour (CT), Qualifying Series (QS), Longboard Series and Junior Series to be held in the Asia Pacific region in the coming months.

Jan 16 – 19 Samsung Galaxy Hainan Pro presented by Wanning – Women’s QS6000 (Hainan Island, China)
Jan 16 – 18 Carve Pro Junior – Men’s Junior Qualifying Series (Maroubra, NSW, Aust)
Jan 24 – 25 Original Source Australian Boardriders Battle – WSL Specialty Event (Cronulla, NSW, Aust)
Jan 30 – Feb 1 Scoot Burleigh Pro presented by Vissla – Men’s & Women’s QS1000 (Burleigh Heads, QLD, Aust)
Feb 7 – 11 Hurley Australian Open of Surfing – Men’s & Women Junior Qualifying Series (Manly Beach, NSW, Aust)
Feb 9 – 15 Hurley Australian Open of Surfing – Men’s & Women’s QS6000 (Manly Beach, NSW, Aust)
Feb 13 – 15 Hunter Business Boardriders Pro Junior – Men’s & Women Junior Qualifying Series (Newcastle, NSW, Aust)
Feb 18 – 22 Burton Automotive Pro Men’s – QS6000 & Burton Automotive Women’s Classic – QS1000 (Newcastle, NSW, Aust)
Feb 28 – Mar 11 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast & Roxy Pro Gold Coast – Men’s and Women’s WCT (Snapper Rocks, QLD, Aust)
Mar 23 – 25 Chain Resources Pro Junior – Men’s & Women Junior Qualifying Series (Taranaki, New Zealand)
Mar 26 – 29 Port Taranaki Pro NZ Home Loans Surf Festival – Women’s QS6000 (Taranaki, New Zealand)
Mar 25 – 29 Australian Longboard Surfing Open – Men’s & Women’s LQS (Kingscliff, NSW, Aust)
Apr 1 – 12 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach – Men’s and Women’s WCT (Torquay, VIC, Aust)
Apr 15 – 26 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro – Men’s and Women’s WCT (Margaret River, WA, Aust)

Grab the full schedule here

http://www.worldsurfleague.com/assets/2015_WSL_Schedule-11-29-14.pdf