Just 16 women and 32 men remain in contention for the Mothernest Tweed Coast Pro title after another exciting day of competition at Kingscliff, Northern NSW. The World Surf League (WSL) QS 1,000 (Qualifying Series) rated event started with 144 men and 72 women has seen three days of epic conditions as the entire North East coast of Australia has been lit up with great swell and surf.
Kobie Enright doing the mid-heat run down the beach. - WSL / Will Hayden-Smith
Coolangatta's Kobie Enright is arguably the form surfer on the planet right now after winning back-to-back QS1,000 events to start her 2018 Qualifying campaign. At the Mothernest Tweed Coast Pro today she continued her red hot run, only locking in two waves in her Round 3 victory, but both were in the excellent 8-point range.
"I am so tired right now!," Enright said. "The sweep out there is really strong, so you get a wave, come in run up the beach, paddle out and try to get another waves before getting taken down the beach. I'm really enjoying competing right now, this contest has had great waves and I'm excited to see how the weekend goes, but I need to go and rest this afternoon."
Chelsea Tuach putting on a show at the Mothernest Tweed Coast Pro. - WSL / Tom Bennett
Former Championship Tour surfer from Barbados Chelsea Tuach has arrived in Australia a couple of weeks ahead of the all-important back-to-back QS 6,000 events in Newcastle and Manly later this month. She's warming up for those events here at Tweed and all signs are showing she's in great form. Today she progressed in first position after posting a near-perfect 9.40 and a 7.85.
"I wasn't too happy with my heat yesterday so I was determined to go out and better my performance," Tuach said. "The waves here have been so good, we've gotten really lucky. The only hard part is the sweep up the beach -- it really tests your fitness. I was running up the beach and I felt fine, but then in the shallow water walking back out my legs were burning. Luckily I got back out and was able to get my best wave when I was in 4th priority. It just stood up and went all the way down the line, when you're in a heat that's the exact wave you dream about catching."
Mitch Crews getting the all-clear to paddle out for his first heat at the 2018 Mothernest Tweed Coast Pro. - WSL / Will Hayden-Smith
New Zealand's Korbin Hutchings posted an impressive heat win at Kingscliff today, finding multiple runners that allowed him to do combinations of fast and sharp turns and snaps. Wesley Leite from Brazil also advanced in 2nd position behind Hutchings.
"The sweep is so strong, but I was lucky that I didn't have to do any run arounds," Hutchings said. "The bank here is really fun, it's been nice to have a competition with some long waves where you can do lots of turns. The swell has dropped off, but it looks like it will be like this all weekend so we should have great waves for the end of the event."
Luke Hynd's beautiful backhand attack. - WSL / Ethan Smith
Two of the other stand outs of the day were Gold Coasters Luke Hynd and Alyssa Lock. Both surfers showed they're right at home on righthand point breaks as they posted scores in the 9-point-range.
Mothernest Tweed Coast Pro Sets Scene for Massive Weekend of Action
WSL
Just 16 women and 32 men remain in contention for the Mothernest Tweed Coast Pro title after another exciting day of competition at Kingscliff, Northern NSW. The World Surf League (WSL) QS 1,000 (Qualifying Series) rated event started with 144 men and 72 women has seen three days of epic conditions as the entire North East coast of Australia has been lit up with great swell and surf.
Kobie Enright doing the mid-heat run down the beach. - WSL / Will Hayden-SmithCoolangatta's Kobie Enright is arguably the form surfer on the planet right now after winning back-to-back QS1,000 events to start her 2018 Qualifying campaign. At the Mothernest Tweed Coast Pro today she continued her red hot run, only locking in two waves in her Round 3 victory, but both were in the excellent 8-point range.
"I am so tired right now!," Enright said. "The sweep out there is really strong, so you get a wave, come in run up the beach, paddle out and try to get another waves before getting taken down the beach. I'm really enjoying competing right now, this contest has had great waves and I'm excited to see how the weekend goes, but I need to go and rest this afternoon."
Chelsea Tuach putting on a show at the Mothernest Tweed Coast Pro. - WSL / Tom BennettFormer Championship Tour surfer from Barbados Chelsea Tuach has arrived in Australia a couple of weeks ahead of the all-important back-to-back QS 6,000 events in Newcastle and Manly later this month. She's warming up for those events here at Tweed and all signs are showing she's in great form. Today she progressed in first position after posting a near-perfect 9.40 and a 7.85.
"I wasn't too happy with my heat yesterday so I was determined to go out and better my performance," Tuach said. "The waves here have been so good, we've gotten really lucky. The only hard part is the sweep up the beach -- it really tests your fitness. I was running up the beach and I felt fine, but then in the shallow water walking back out my legs were burning. Luckily I got back out and was able to get my best wave when I was in 4th priority. It just stood up and went all the way down the line, when you're in a heat that's the exact wave you dream about catching."
Mitch Crews getting the all-clear to paddle out for his first heat at the 2018 Mothernest Tweed Coast Pro. - WSL / Will Hayden-SmithNew Zealand's Korbin Hutchings posted an impressive heat win at Kingscliff today, finding multiple runners that allowed him to do combinations of fast and sharp turns and snaps. Wesley Leite from Brazil also advanced in 2nd position behind Hutchings.
"The sweep is so strong, but I was lucky that I didn't have to do any run arounds," Hutchings said. "The bank here is really fun, it's been nice to have a competition with some long waves where you can do lots of turns. The swell has dropped off, but it looks like it will be like this all weekend so we should have great waves for the end of the event."
Luke Hynd's beautiful backhand attack. - WSL / Ethan SmithTwo of the other stand outs of the day were Gold Coasters Luke Hynd and Alyssa Lock. Both surfers showed they're right at home on righthand point breaks as they posted scores in the 9-point-range.
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The second event of the Aussie QS leg has wrapped with the form surfers rising to the top once again.
Mothernest Tweed Coast Pro
After five days of great waves, two worthy champions rose to the top.
Unseasonably cold weather, lots of rain, but none of that mattered because it was pumping.
Day 2 action from the Mothernest Tweed Coast Pro
Day 2 has seen some incredible performances as Kingscliff continues to deliver epic yet tough conditions.
Opening day action from the Mothernest Tweed Coast Pro in pumping waves at Kingscliff.