The World Surf League sees the best men and women from around the globe compete for the title of World Champion, and based on the early results this year’s competition promises to be must see TV.

Both the men’s and women’s Championship Tours consist of the top 22 surfers from last year, the ten best from the previous years’ Qualifying Series Rankings who haven’t already qualified, and two wildcards. With so much talent on display it makes for compelling viewing, and you can catch all the action when streaming the WSL live to a mobile device.

2019 World Surf League Preview

This year represents just the fifth season since the former ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) changed its name to the WSL, and 2019 will see Brazilian Gabriel Medina and Australian Stephanie Gilmore head in as the reigning champs. Medina edged out Australia’s Julian Wilson at Pipeline, the final event on the World Surf League calendar, to claim his second title last year. On the women’s side, Australian surfing sensation Stephanie Gilmore continued her claim as one of the best to ride a board with a seventh championship, tying fellow Aussie Layne Beachley as the most successful female surfer of all time, and the second most successful overall behind the great men’s champion Kelly Slater, who has taken home eleven titles during his reign in the water.

When: April – December, 2019
Where: See location listing below

Heading into 2019, Medina is the favourite to win it again, but he has plenty of competition nipping at his heels. Perhaps most notable among them is John John Florence, who, after winning in both 2016 and 2017 had an injury-riddled campaign last year. Medina’s countryman Filipe Toledo, at 23-years-old, appears primed to win his first career title and will be a major threat, as will Wilson and Italo Ferreira. For the women, it’s Gilmore who looks the most likely – at 31 years of age, she’s shown no signs of slowing down – while countrywoman Tyler Wright will also bear the hopes of the nation. Those two aside, the most probable competitors include American trio Carissa Moore, Lakey Peterson and Courtney Conlogue, while 17-year-old prodigy Caroline Marks will also look to make her presence on tour felt, and you won’t have to miss a key moment when mobile streaming the WSL should you have to be out and about.

2019 Tahiti Pro Open Live TV (Sydney time)

All events shown as Sydney time and will air exclusively on Fox Sports (Foxtel/Kayo). Adjust for regional differences. Please note session times are subject to surf conditions.

Watch or Stream the WSL Live

There is no WSL Free to Air TV provider currently available in Australia, but the Fox Sports channel (Foxtel/Kayo) will provide exclusive Live coverage as both the men and the women compete at the world’s most challenging surfing destinations. So if you’re a resident of Australia you may wish to review the 10 day Foxtel Now trial which offers surfing fans an opportunity to watch the World Surf League live online with compatible internet connected devices.

Alternatively, Kayo Sports have a 14 day trial offering which offers the exact same channels and coverage as Foxtel. With the Kayo trial you can stream the WSL free using eligible mobile devices, and with their split-view feature you can catch up to four Live events at the same time so you never miss a key moment of the wide range of sport in the Kayo TV guide.

How to Stream the WSL in Australia

Not everyone currently has, or wants to take on the cost of a Foxtel or Telstra pay TV subscription. So with this consideration in mind, what other choices do you have when it comes to streaming the World Surf League, and how can you maximise their use? Let’s look at some of the best streaming options available on the Aussie market.

Apple TV

Arguably the gold-standard of the lower-profile streaming device for years now, the Apple TV is popular because it delivers. This tiny box is now in its fifth generation, and has recently added 4K and HDR streaming. You can also download apps just like you would on your phone. And that means almost every major player is supported, including the Kayo Sports streaming service and Foxtel Now.

Google Chromecast

This amazing little device now comes in two options for streaming video, both with an HDMI connection linking them to your TV. You can choose from the standard or the Ultra Chromecast version – the difference is that the Ultra handles 4K video, which is becoming increasingly available in Australia thanks to Foxtel. Once plugged in and connected to your home Wi-Fi network, the device can be reached by a vast range of apps to stream video, including Kayo Sports and Foxtel Now. While it’s not as seamless as using a dedicated device – it’s still extremely versatile.

Foxtel Now Box

Another increasingly popular streaming device option would be the Foxtel Now Box. Launched over a year ago, it delivers the easiest way to stream Foxtel Now, as well as YouTube and Stan, directly to your TV. There’s no installation required so you can immediately start streaming the WSL and other sport on your TV. Simply plug it in and start watching, fuss-free. Of course, you’ll need to subscribe to Foxtel Now’s Sports pack, which offers access to twelve channels including Fox Sports, Fox League, Fox Footy, ESPN, beIN Sports and all the live action available each and every week.

2019 World Surf League Fixtures

Best of all, no matter where it’s being staged Kayo Sports and Foxtel Now offer the option to stream each and every session of the 2019 WSL live to an eligible device for qualified Australian users. Due to broadcasting agreement there is no World Surf League free to air provider in Australia. *Requires internet and compatible device. Data charges apply. HD availability subject to your Internet service and device capabilities.

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