A high-performance surf competition is making waves, as Dunedin looks to host an international surf event for the first time.
From March 16-21 next year, about 200 surfers will hit the Otago waves and take on elite surfers from the Asia-Pacific region.
The event will be a World Surf League qualifying series, where elite surfers aim to achieve up to 4000 qualifying points.
Alongside the main competition, additional athletes will compete in a Junior Pro competition.
It's expected that the event will contribute more than $4 million to the local economy through visitor spending.
Major Events Group general sports manager Harry Simpson said the event had significant high-performance importance for New Zealand surfers.
“Competing at home provides them with a valuable advantage and the opportunity to earn qualification points.”
Surfers beyond Kiwis also seem keen on the location.
Gold Coast competitor Marlon Harrison said he was "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.”
In a press release, the Dunedin City Council said it fully supported the event.
Enterprise Dunedin acting destination manager Teresa Fogarty said the event is intended to become a regular fixture for Dunedin, drawing thousands of people each time.
Simpson said they’re anticipating about 4000 attendees per day during the week, increasing to around 6000 visitors over the weekend.
