World Surf League Qualies, Juniors, St Clair beach

Left-to-Right] Zara Owen , Mayor of Dunedin Sophie Barker and Alexis Owen) are excited to bring World Surf League Qualifying Series and Pro Junior competition to Dunedin PHOTO: WSL/ENTERPRISE DUNEDIN

Top surfing is returning to New Zealand with the World Surf League (WSL) bringing the Qualifying Series (QS) and Pro Junior competition to the South Island for the first time when Dunedin’s St Clair Beach hosts the Dunedin Pro QS 4000 and Pro Junior from March 16–21, 2027.

The event will bring New Zealand’s best surfers together with the region’s leading competitors, with the QS 4000 offering valuable points towards next season’s Challenger Series race.

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Around 200 surfers are expected to compete across the QS and Pro Junior fields, with the competition providing a brand new opportunity for emerging talent to compete at one of Dunedin’s most iconic surf breaks.

“The WSL is excited to bring Qualifying Series and Pro Junior competition back to New Zealand, especially to such a fresh and exciting location as Dunedin’s St Clair Beach,” said WSL APAC Tour Director Ty Sorati.

“Following the success of the Championship Tour event earlier this year, it’s great to continue that momentum and bring another level of WSL competition to the country. St Clair is such a great venue with high-quality waves.

We’re looking forward to seeing New Zealand’s best surfers, along with the best surfers from across the region, competing right in the heart of Dunedin.”

Two of New Zealand's top competitors, siblings Alexis and Zara Owen call Dunedin home and both frequent the lineup at St Clair. The event is a huge opportunity for the pair as the look to further develop their surfing careers, especially for 14-year-old Zara, the current U/14 National Champion, who is yet to compete in a WSL event.

"Since I'm still really young, it's good to have a chance to compete against the older people and have this chance at home," Zara said. "I'm super excited."

Though her older brother Alexis has tasted success internationally, including winning a medal at the ISA World Juniors, the 18-year-old has had limited opportunities to compete at a higher level, especially at home.

"I'm really excited. I've competed a lot overseas and at big events, but having a big event at home would be really exciting," said Alexis

"All my mates can watch, family can watch, and I've got the local knowledge on the break. I can't wait to see all the pros come to town. It's perfect for an event because there's always a surfable wave."

A consistent forerunner in the Challenger Series conversation is the Gold Coast’s Marlon Harrison (Australia), who couldn’t be more excited about the addition of the Dunedin Pro, especially now that a direct flight between the two locations has been introduced.

"I’m frothing. I love New Zealand, it's such an amazing country, and I think my surfing suits the waves really well over there with the power,” Harrison said.

“I'm really excited to see how my surfing goes against everyone. With 4,000 points on the line towards the end of the season, it puts everyone back in the ballpark for the Challenger Series, and that's where I want to be. That's the goal, and anything I can get my hands on to achieve that would be amazing.

I've never been to Dunedin but the waves look insane and the vibe looks incredible. The people in New Zealand are amazing, and I even love putting on a wetsuit. Bring it on."

St Clair Beach is one of New Zealand’s best-known urban surf breaks, located just minutes from central Dunedin. The event will mark the first time WSL competition has been held at the venue and the first WSL event on New Zealand’s South Island, adding a new destination to the regional competition calendar.