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Aussie O'Leary retains WSL tour berth

3 minute read

Australian Connor O'Leary has secured his spot on the 2022 WSL championship tour, one of two surfers to qualify at the challenger event in Hawaii.

Australian Connor O'Leary can enjoy the remainder of the World Surf League challenger event in Hawaii after securing his spot on next year's championship tour.

O'Leary, who finished 28th on the 2021 WSL tour after a difficult season, was one of two male surfers to qualify for next year after their round of 64 heats at Haleiwa in Hawaii on Monday.

The 28-year-old, along with American Jake Marshall, both reached the round of 32 to secure their spots on the WSL tour in 2022.

"It's been a very up and down year but stoked to finish off the year on a positive note," O'Leary said.

"Now I can enjoy Haleiwa and just try and get as many points as I can while I'm still in the event and try and put on as much of a performance as I can.

"Huge thanks to my family and my wife Stef, she's been a massive part of my life, if I didn't have her I wouldn't be here.

"Let's bring on next year and start off with a bang."

The goofy footer from Cronulla debuted on the tour in 2017, claimed a runners-up finish that year in Fiji but dropped out of the tour after the 2018 campaign before returning to the main series this year.

In the women's event, Australian pair Dimity Stoyle and Philippa Anderson both advanced through their opening heats to take a step towards qualifying for next year's tour.

Meanwhile, the Sydney Surf Pro challenger series event has signed a three-year deal with the NSW government and the Northern Beaches Council.

Under the agreement, the event has been secured until 2024 and will move to North Narrabeen from Manly from 2023 onward.

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