Stuart Kennedy advanced to Round 4 with a strong performance. He's clearly gearing up for a big 2016. - WSL / Bennett
Several of the world's best surfers were on display Thursday as the Taggart Women's Pro and the Maitland and Port Stephens Toyota Pro resumed in clean two-to-three foot waves.
One of the most anticipated heats of the day featured Stephanie Gilmore's(AUS) return to competition. After suffering a knee injury in April, the six time World Champion put on a contest jersey for only the second time in almost 10 months. The seemingly relaxed Gilmore posted and excellent 8.00 point ride (out of a possible 10) to progress to Round 4.
Stephanie Gilmore looked sharp in her return to competition, winning her Round 4 heat. - WSL / Bennett
"There was definitely some nerves before getting in the water, but it comes back to you pretty quickly," Gilmore said. "I had fun out there, I really love surfing Merewether so it's good to be back. My body feels great, I'm feeling fit and healthy so looking forward to surfing a bunch and competing."
Women's World no. 3, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) was also looking sharp this morning drawing some clean lines to post two mid-range scores to place second in her first heat of the season. Fitzgibbons will progress to the next round but admits there is room for improvement.
"It's really good to get back in the jersey and get the first heat of the year under the belt," Fitzgibbons said. "I have a few things I'd like to work on, especially with the four person priority, that was the first heat I've surfed with that so I was a bit behind on my tactics. Everything is feeling really great, I'm just looking forward to the next heat and keeping the ball rolling."
Sally Fitzgibbons glad to be back competing - Bennett - WSL / Bennett
After an early exit at her first contest of the year at the Burleigh Pro, former Championship tour (CT) surfer Dimity Stoyle (AUS) stepped up her game massively in Round 3 of the Taggart Women's Pro. Stoyle attacked each wave like her life depended on it event landing closeout floater on dry sand. The judges absolutely loved Stoyle's performance, scoring her a near-perfect 9.43 and an excellent 8.23 for the highest heat total of the Round, a 17.66 (out of a possible 20) to continue into the fourth round.
"I'm so excited to win that heat, it was a really hard heat on paper so stoked to take top spot," Stoyle said. "The first heat of a contest is always a nervous one, it's been a while since the tour finished last year so I'm glad to be back competing."
Dimity Stoyle put on an impressive performance posting the highest two wave total of the day - Bennett - WSL / Bennett
Tessa Thyssen's backhand attack couldn't get her over the hump against Gilmore and Mikeala Greene. - WSL / Bennett
French surfer Johanne Defay finished 2015 in 9th spot on the CT rankings. She began her 2016 competitive campaign off in much the same way utilising the early clean conditions to exhibit her stylish powerful surfing, posting a heat total of 15.73 to win the heat.
"It's nice to get back into competition mode, it's been quite a while for me," said Defay. The waves are really fun this morning it's really clean which is always such a treat when competing. Hopefully the waves continue and I can keep making heats."
French competitor Johanne Defay wraps in the pocket - Bennett - WSL / Bennett
With the smaller onshore afternoon conditions, Kanoa Igarashi put his experience at Merewether to the test picking the medium waves that walled up better than the sets which enabled him to mix his impressive rail game with his outstanding aerial surfing. This combination saw him post a heat total of 13.26 and win the heat.
"I just planned to stay active out there and I guess it paid off," Igarashi said. I've surfed with all of these guys before so I know what they're capable of so I knew I had to bring my best to the heat. It was definitely hard, I hope the swell continues to build."
Kanoa Igarashi preparing himself for the 'Big Leagues' - Bennett - WSL / Bennett
After spending a large portion of his maiden year on the CT sidelined with a knee injury, Matt Banting is eager to kick his 2016 of the right way. Although the waves went a little quiet during his heat, the young Australians technical brilliance allowed him to make the most of what he was offered taking out his heat with ease.
"I waited and waited for a bigger one it just never came," Banting said. "It's always tough surfing those smaller heats so I'm stoked to have made it through, hopefully the swell builds for tomorrow. I'm feeling really fit and good to go, hopefully I can build momentum from this event to take to Snapper."
-
Soli Bailey going big at Merewether Beach
- WSL / Bennett
-
Stu Kennedy looked razor sharp
- WSL / Bennett
-
Nao Omura from Japan going hard on her backhand
- WSL / Bennett
-
CT competitor Nikki Van Dijk racing a hollow one
- WSL / Luke
-
Alana Blanchard kept her momentum going forward at Merewether Beach
- WSL / Grant Sproule
-
Tessa Thyssen just missed out on progressing to the next round
- WSL / Bennett
-
Local favourite Philippa Anderson looking comfortable at home in her first heat of the contest
- WSL / Bennett
Top Seeds Hit the water at Newcastle Surfest
WSL
Several of the world's best surfers were on display Thursday as the Taggart Women's Pro and the Maitland and Port Stephens Toyota Pro resumed in clean two-to-three foot waves.
One of the most anticipated heats of the day featured Stephanie Gilmore's(AUS) return to competition. After suffering a knee injury in April, the six time World Champion put on a contest jersey for only the second time in almost 10 months. The seemingly relaxed Gilmore posted and excellent 8.00 point ride (out of a possible 10) to progress to Round 4.
Stephanie Gilmore looked sharp in her return to competition, winning her Round 4 heat. - WSL / Bennett"There was definitely some nerves before getting in the water, but it comes back to you pretty quickly," Gilmore said. "I had fun out there, I really love surfing Merewether so it's good to be back. My body feels great, I'm feeling fit and healthy so looking forward to surfing a bunch and competing."
Women's World no. 3, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) was also looking sharp this morning drawing some clean lines to post two mid-range scores to place second in her first heat of the season. Fitzgibbons will progress to the next round but admits there is room for improvement.
"It's really good to get back in the jersey and get the first heat of the year under the belt," Fitzgibbons said. "I have a few things I'd like to work on, especially with the four person priority, that was the first heat I've surfed with that so I was a bit behind on my tactics. Everything is feeling really great, I'm just looking forward to the next heat and keeping the ball rolling."
Sally Fitzgibbons glad to be back competing - Bennett - WSL / BennettAfter an early exit at her first contest of the year at the Burleigh Pro, former Championship tour (CT) surfer Dimity Stoyle (AUS) stepped up her game massively in Round 3 of the Taggart Women's Pro. Stoyle attacked each wave like her life depended on it event landing closeout floater on dry sand. The judges absolutely loved Stoyle's performance, scoring her a near-perfect 9.43 and an excellent 8.23 for the highest heat total of the Round, a 17.66 (out of a possible 20) to continue into the fourth round.
"I'm so excited to win that heat, it was a really hard heat on paper so stoked to take top spot," Stoyle said. "The first heat of a contest is always a nervous one, it's been a while since the tour finished last year so I'm glad to be back competing."
Dimity Stoyle put on an impressive performance posting the highest two wave total of the day - Bennett - WSL / BennettFrench surfer Johanne Defay finished 2015 in 9th spot on the CT rankings. She began her 2016 competitive campaign off in much the same way utilising the early clean conditions to exhibit her stylish powerful surfing, posting a heat total of 15.73 to win the heat.
"It's nice to get back into competition mode, it's been quite a while for me," said Defay. The waves are really fun this morning it's really clean which is always such a treat when competing. Hopefully the waves continue and I can keep making heats."
French competitor Johanne Defay wraps in the pocket - Bennett - WSL / BennettWith the smaller onshore afternoon conditions, Kanoa Igarashi put his experience at Merewether to the test picking the medium waves that walled up better than the sets which enabled him to mix his impressive rail game with his outstanding aerial surfing. This combination saw him post a heat total of 13.26 and win the heat.
"I just planned to stay active out there and I guess it paid off," Igarashi said. I've surfed with all of these guys before so I know what they're capable of so I knew I had to bring my best to the heat. It was definitely hard, I hope the swell continues to build."
Kanoa Igarashi preparing himself for the 'Big Leagues' - Bennett - WSL / BennettAfter spending a large portion of his maiden year on the CT sidelined with a knee injury, Matt Banting is eager to kick his 2016 of the right way. Although the waves went a little quiet during his heat, the young Australians technical brilliance allowed him to make the most of what he was offered taking out his heat with ease.
"I waited and waited for a bigger one it just never came," Banting said. "It's always tough surfing those smaller heats so I'm stoked to have made it through, hopefully the swell builds for tomorrow. I'm feeling really fit and good to go, hopefully I can build momentum from this event to take to Snapper."
Stephanie Gilmore
Featuring Yago Dora, Filipe Toledo, Caio Ibelli, Ian Gouveia, Kelly Slater, John John Florence, Gabriel Medina, Julian Wilson, Adriano de
Featuring Yago Dora, Griffin Colapinto, Leonardo Fioravanti, Jordy Smith, Filipe Toledo, John John Florence, Kanoa Igarashi, Italo
Paul Fisher, Kelly Slater, Stephanie Gilmore, Mick Fanning, Chelsea Hedges, Joel Parkinson, Mark Occhilupo, and Dean Morrison takeover
Icons of surfing take the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro by storm, celebrating Kelly Slater in a World Champ's Super Heat. A lineup that compiled
Featuring Gabriel Medina, John John Florence, Liam O'Brien, Yago Dora, Italo Ferreira, Carissa Moore, Griffin Colapinto, Tatiana
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.
Competitors are greeted with a new swell on Day 3 at Merewether Beach.