World Tour surfers set to compete at Margaret River’s 6 Star Drug Aware Pro

Eight of the world's top ten ranked surfers, including newly crowned world champion, Mick Fanning, and WA's world number four, Taj Burrow, fresh from his pro season ending win in the Pipeline Masters, are scheduled to compete in the biggest surfing event ever held in Western Australia, from 15 to 21 March next year. 

Tourism Minister Liz Constable has announced the State Government's support to considerably elevate the Drug Aware Pro at Margaret River, which will be held at Surfers Point, for 2010 with options for 2011 and 2012.

"The Drug Aware Pro at Margaret River will be a six star prime rated men's and women's event, sanctioned by the Association of Surfing Professionals and part of the new look World Surfing Tour," Dr Constable said.

"It is set to be the most significant WQS surfing event in the Australasian region and feature the best group of surfing stars ever seen in WA.

The Minister said the Drug Aware Pro at Margaret River will be part of a total package of events during the competition week to be known as the MASS Festival, which will bring together Music, Arts, Surfing and Style, to attract and entertain visitors to the State as well as Western Australians.

These new initiatives are exciting for Surfing WA, with Vice President Errol Considine stating, "In 2010 we want to take the event to a whole new level and promote the full Margaret River experience.

With Music, Arts and Style, as well as the best field of surfers ever assembled in WA, the event will draw bigger crowds and promote tourism and the local economy.  We are very excited to be able to build on that to make it even bigger and better in the next 2 years."

Major WA-based surf industry brand Rusty International has signed on as a presenting partner and will hold its annual conference at the Drug Aware Pro.