Day 2 of the Maitland and Port Stephens Toyota Pro and the Taggart Women's Pro has been completed in building two-to-three foot waves at Merewether Beach as part of the 2016 Surfest Newcastle.
World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) surfer Matt Wilkinson (AUS) took to the water kick-starting his 2016 competitive season. Wilkinson looked focused and relaxed as he posted a solid heat total of 15.93 (out of a possible 20).
"I've been really excited to get this season underway," Wilkinson said. "I had a really fun off-season but got back to work and training a little earlier than usual so I'm feeling good. Hopefully the swell keeps building and we get some waves in the next few days. Doing this event is really good for me warming up for Snapper, it's good for your confidence and just knowing you can still post scores."
CT Surfer Matt Wilkinson gearing up for his 2016 campaign. - WSL / Grant Sproule
After a Final appearance earlier this year at the Sunset Pro, Hawaiian Tanner Hendrickson (HAW) absolutely dominated his heat posting two single-wave scores in the excellent range, a 9.33 and a 8.83. Hendrickson stayed busy all heat and it paid off.
Hawaii's Tanner Hendrickson is looking for a breakout season. - WSL / Grant Sproule
"It's so hard out there," Hendrickson said. "Finding a good wave is almost impossible but I figured if I try and catch a lot of waves eventually I would find one I could post a score on and eventually I did. I came last in my first heat at this event last year so hopefully I can go a bit further this year."
Bondi's Perth Standlick seemed to be in good form in the early rounds. - WSL / Bennett
After just missing out on qualifying for the CT last year, Australian Mitch Coleborn (AUS) is eager to get his 2016 campaign off to a strong start. In the deteriorating conditions, Coleborn found himself needing a 6.50 in the last minute. With only seconds remaining, Coleborn took off on a right nailing two solid backhand snaps then continued left, hitting the closeout at the wave's end to earn himself a 7.33 and the advance to Round 3.
"I stayed super busy and felt as if I was surfing well all heat," Coleborn said. "When I heard I was in third I got pretty angry as there was only thirty seconds left. I just surfed the wave for what it was and luckily got a couple of sections on the inside that I think got me the score. I'm stoked to be back competing and am keen to get the year off to a solid start".
Mitch Coleborn, exhales. - Bennett - WSL / Bennett
Continuing her solid form in 2016 was Central Coaster Macy Callaghan (AUS) who is fresh off winning the NIB Pro Junior here at Surfest over the weekend. Callaghan took a large number of waves in her heat, a tactic that paid off as the current No. 2 on the QS ratings progressed into Round 3.
"I've been a bit nervous at this event as there is so many big names competing," Callaghan said. "I sort of enjoy being the underdog. I just hope I can keep moving through the draw so I can come up against one of the CT girls, that would be really cool."
Alana Blanchard's goals is to keep it fun at Merewether - WSL / Grant Sproule
After an unsteady Round 1 Heat, former CT surfer Alana Blanchard (HAW) looked in complete control in Round 2, posting an excellent 8-point-ride with some progressive surfing, releasing her fins on a number of turns.
"It looked really fun before I paddled out then as the tide dropped it became harder and harder," Blanchard said. "I just wanted to have fun out there, yesterday I struggled a bit and wasn't having fun so today I really just wanted to have fun and I think it worked for me."
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Alana Blanchard freeing the fins at Merewether Beach
- WSL / Grant Sproule
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Former CT Sivana Lima hacking
- WSL / Grant Sproule
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Perth Standlick progressed though Round 2 at Merewether
- WSL / Bennett
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Japan's Ren Hashimoto
- WSL / Grant Sproule
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Young Italian ripper Leonardo Fioravanti throwing buckets
- WSL / Grant Sproule
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Leo celebrates his heat win with friends
- WSL / Grant Sproule
Huge Day of Action at Surfest
WSL
Day 2 of the Maitland and Port Stephens Toyota Pro and the Taggart Women's Pro has been completed in building two-to-three foot waves at Merewether Beach as part of the 2016 Surfest Newcastle.
World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) surfer Matt Wilkinson (AUS) took to the water kick-starting his 2016 competitive season. Wilkinson looked focused and relaxed as he posted a solid heat total of 15.93 (out of a possible 20).
"I've been really excited to get this season underway," Wilkinson said. "I had a really fun off-season but got back to work and training a little earlier than usual so I'm feeling good. Hopefully the swell keeps building and we get some waves in the next few days. Doing this event is really good for me warming up for Snapper, it's good for your confidence and just knowing you can still post scores."
CT Surfer Matt Wilkinson gearing up for his 2016 campaign. - WSL / Grant SprouleAfter a Final appearance earlier this year at the Sunset Pro, Hawaiian Tanner Hendrickson (HAW) absolutely dominated his heat posting two single-wave scores in the excellent range, a 9.33 and a 8.83. Hendrickson stayed busy all heat and it paid off.
Hawaii's Tanner Hendrickson is looking for a breakout season. - WSL / Grant Sproule"It's so hard out there," Hendrickson said. "Finding a good wave is almost impossible but I figured if I try and catch a lot of waves eventually I would find one I could post a score on and eventually I did. I came last in my first heat at this event last year so hopefully I can go a bit further this year."
Bondi's Perth Standlick seemed to be in good form in the early rounds. - WSL / BennettAfter just missing out on qualifying for the CT last year, Australian Mitch Coleborn (AUS) is eager to get his 2016 campaign off to a strong start. In the deteriorating conditions, Coleborn found himself needing a 6.50 in the last minute. With only seconds remaining, Coleborn took off on a right nailing two solid backhand snaps then continued left, hitting the closeout at the wave's end to earn himself a 7.33 and the advance to Round 3.
"I stayed super busy and felt as if I was surfing well all heat," Coleborn said. "When I heard I was in third I got pretty angry as there was only thirty seconds left. I just surfed the wave for what it was and luckily got a couple of sections on the inside that I think got me the score. I'm stoked to be back competing and am keen to get the year off to a solid start".
Mitch Coleborn, exhales. - Bennett - WSL / BennettContinuing her solid form in 2016 was Central Coaster Macy Callaghan (AUS) who is fresh off winning the NIB Pro Junior here at Surfest over the weekend. Callaghan took a large number of waves in her heat, a tactic that paid off as the current No. 2 on the QS ratings progressed into Round 3.
"I've been a bit nervous at this event as there is so many big names competing," Callaghan said. "I sort of enjoy being the underdog. I just hope I can keep moving through the draw so I can come up against one of the CT girls, that would be really cool."
Alana Blanchard's goals is to keep it fun at Merewether - WSL / Grant SprouleAfter an unsteady Round 1 Heat, former CT surfer Alana Blanchard (HAW) looked in complete control in Round 2, posting an excellent 8-point-ride with some progressive surfing, releasing her fins on a number of turns.
"It looked really fun before I paddled out then as the tide dropped it became harder and harder," Blanchard said. "I just wanted to have fun out there, yesterday I struggled a bit and wasn't having fun so today I really just wanted to have fun and I think it worked for me."
Macy Callaghan
Packed with the Family Legend heat, Erin Brooks qualifying for the '25 CT, Mateus Herdy's perfect 10, Marco Mignot qualifying for the '25
Macy Callaghans's strategy of stretching out the playing field works well, finding a couple wedgy peaks that pay off and send her to the
Featuring Barron Mamiya, Molly Picklum, Gabriel Medina, Tatiana Weston-Webb, John John Florence, Erin Brooks, and Macy Callaghan.
Featuring Erin Brooks, Samuel Pupo, Macy Callaghan, Ian Gouveia, Zahli Kelly, Rosie Smart, Charly Quivront, Kyuss King, Oscar Berry, Deivid
Former CT'er Macy Callaghan put on an absolute clinic with a perfect 10-point ride and excellent 8.67 using that local knowledge to park
Taggart Women's Pro
After successfully growing a QS1,000 to a 6,000 through crowd funding, The NSW City of Newcastle is back at it looking at a bigger event in
CT Duo take top honours at theTaggart Women's Pro and Maitland and Pro Stephens Pro in pumping waves at Merewether Beach.
Pressure is mounting in Newcastle as The Taggart Women's Pro and the Maitland and Port Stephens Toyota Pro head into the home stretch.
Competitors faced with intense cold front on Day 5 of Maitland and Port Stephens Toyota Pro and Taggart Women's Pro.
CT stars lead charge on Day 4 of the Taggart Women's Pro and Maitland and Port Stephens Toyota Pro Newcastle.