CONNOR O'LEARY AND SAGE ERICKSON TAKE OUT THE VISSLA AND SISSTREVOLUTION CENTRAL COAST PRO.
AVOCA BEACH, CENTRAL COAST
Monday, 4 March 2019
Sage Erickson and Connor O’Leary have won the first World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3000 event on Australian shores, the Sisstrevolution and Vissla Central Coast Pro. Avoca Beach turned on bumpy three-to-four foot right-handers for the final day with the biggest scores of the event going down in the last few heats. Erickson and O’Leary both fell off the elite Championship Tour (CT) at the end of 2018 and have put themselves in a great position for re-qualification with this victory.
Connor O’Leary and Matt Banting have been the form surfers of the Australian QS leg in 2019 both taking QS1,000 wins over the last month then matching up in the Final of the Vissla Central Coast Pro today. Banting was going to be hard to beat as he looked razor sharp on the long wally rights of Avoca Point. This was until the 2017 CT Rookie of The Year O’Leary got to work on his backhand and posted the highest heat total of the entire event, a near perfect 19.50 two-wave combination which included the only perfect 10.00 of the event. O’Leary now sits a healthy sixth on the QS rankings.
“This is a bit of a dream come true to start my 2019 like this,” said O’Leary. “That final was definitely a solid confidence boost, especially coming up against someone like Matt who has been absolutely tearing lately. My whole goal is to hopefully keep the momentum going into the rest of 2019 and hopefully get a few more results over the year. This is my first time in Avoca also, so I walk away from here with a heap of good memories.”
Former Championship Tour competitor Matt Banting has spent the last 12 months reacquainting himself with competitive surfing after suffering a number of career-threatening injuries through 2016-17. The technically gifted natural-footer is hoping to get back on the dream tour ASAP and this result will go along way to getting him there. Although he was left needing two big scores to take the lead in the final, Banting still posted an excellent heat total of 16.24 to finish runner-up. Banting was also awarded the AirAsia Air of the Day for a variety of impressive aerials over the course of the event.
“I didn’t have any expectations at the beginning of the year except I just wanted to start strong in the Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series,” said Banting. “To make two finals in two weeks is a bit of a dream come true. This is such a good preparation coming into the QS6000 events at Newcastle and Manly and it has definitely helped the confidence. Connor and I have been competing since we were kids and I would have loved to beat him, but I walk away from here knowing I can trust my surfing in different conditions.”
Sage Erickson was the woman to beat all week, posting solid numbers in every heat that she surfed and the final was no different as she dominated with a two-wave combination of 17.07, the highest heat total of the Women’s division. Although she calls Santa Barbra home, Erickson spends a good amount of time on the Central Coast and it showed in her comfort throughout the week and the support she had on the beach. Having fallen off the elite Championship Tour at the end of 2018, this 3000-point boost will go along way to getting her back where she belongs in 2020.
“I’m so happy right now,” Erickson said. “I’ve never competed in a QS3,000 so to finally get to one and win feels so good. This is such an important step for me in terms of re-qualifying. I spent a lot of time over the off-season thinking about competing less and just doing surf trips but knew I would miss competing too much and this really solidifies my decision to compete heavily on the QS this year. My boyfriend lives here on the Central Coast so I really feel at home here and love my time here and feel comfortable. I’m really excited for the next few events at Newcastle and Manly and hope I can continue this roll.”
Sage Erickson. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
16-year-old Sara Wakita had never made it past the early rounds of a QS event until today when she put on some of the strongest performances of her career, even taking down CT competitor Bronte Macaulay. Although Wakita was disappointed she struggled to keep up in the final, she was thrilled to have had the experience she did at the Sisstrevolution Central Coast Pro and is now sitting at fifth on the QS rankings.
“I would have liked to have been a bit more competitive in the Final but I’m so stoked with this result,” Wakita said. “I’ve never surfed against top seed surfers in a QS so this has been such an awesome experience for me and will definitely help me moving forward. This is by far the best result of my career so I’m so happy and can’t wait for the next events in New South Wales.”
QS competitors will now set their sights on the back-to-back QS6,000 events in Newcastle and Manly in the coming weeks. For more information head to www.worldsurfleague.com
The elite six-day event formed the third and final stop on the Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series and will take place in Avoca Beach from the 27th February – 4th March 2019.
2019 Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series Event Schedule
- Event 1: Carve Pro QS1,000, Maroubra – January 23 – 26
- Event 2: Mothernest Great Lakes Pro, Boomerang Beach – February 20 -24
- Event 3: Vissla Central Coast Pro, Avoca Beach – February 27 – March 4
The Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series was developed for Australian and International surfers to gain ranking points and prize money on the WSL Qualifying Series. The series also creates a NSW coastal road trip for all to explore the variety of waves, visit local communities and enjoy NSW surfing culture.
The 2019 Vissla Central Coast Pro is happening right now in the Central Coast, with some of the world’s most promising surfers competing. Remember if you’re driving around the region in the event window #notxtnowrecksbought to you by Surfing NSW and supported by NSW Government Community Road Safety Grants program.
The 2019 Vissla Central Coast Pro is supported by the NSW Government. The event will also be proudly supported by Vissla, Sisstrevolution, Central Coast Council, AirAsia, H2Coco, Avoca Beach Hotel, Sea FM, WSL and Surfing NSW.
Report by Surfing NSW
STAGE SET FOR HUGE FINALS DAY AT AVOCA FOR THE VISSLA AND SISSTREVOLUTION CENTRAL COAST PRO.
AVOCA BEACH, CENTRAL COAST
Sunday, 3 March 2019
A mammoth day of surfing at Avoca Beach has seen the stage set for what is bound to be an epic finals day at the Vissla and Sisstrevolution Central Coast Pro. The World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3000 event was gifted a slight increase in swell size as some of surfing’s biggest names did battle with emerging talent.
Former Championship Tour star Dusty Payne (HAW) surfed his first heat outside of Hawaii since sustaining horrific injuries during a wipeout at Pipeline just over a year ago. The Maui native had his work cut out for him, taking on Jackson Baker, and fellow former CT competitors Dion Atkinson and Stu Kennedy. Payne started the heat with a bang, posting an 8.17 off the bat but struggled to back it up until the final seconds when he eventually took the lead to give himself a chance at glory on finals day tomorrow.
“I was really nervous to travel overseas to compete,” Payne said. “I didn’t really know how I would go and it’s taken me a few days to settle in and get over the jet lag. It’s great to be back in Australia for these QS events, especially as it’s the first time since my accident. That was a pretty intense heat as all of those guys are amazing competitors so I definitely feel lucky to have gotten through to finals day - I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.”
Dusty Payne. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
Event top seed Owen Wright (AUS) once again snuck through his heat narrowly, finishing second to Northern Beaches QS warrior Cooper Chapman in their round six matchup with Nathan Cook and Carlos Munoz. Chapman was the standout posting a 14.30 (out of a possible 20) to comfortably lead the heat while Wright, Munoz and Cook battled it out for second with the CT star Wright only hanging on at the final buzzer.
“Coming up against a guy like Owen is always nerve-racking,” Chapman said. “He is one of the best in the world so beating him is a huge confidence boost. I’m stoked to make it to finals day as a good result here will really help me leading into the QS6,000 events at Newcastle and Manly.”
Cooper Chapman. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
Californian Conner Coffin is one competitor at the Vissla Central Coast Pro who is not chasing the QS in 2019, rather is using the event to train with his coach Glenn ‘Micro’ Hall. Coffin has been staying on the Central Coast for the last week working on his competitive game for the 2019 CT season and saw the Vissla Central Coast Pro as a great opportunity to put his training to the test. Everything seemed to be on point as Coffin progressed into round seven with some strong performances in the shifting beach-breaks.
“I’ve been on the Central Coast working with Micro over the last week so this event seemed like a great opportunity to put our methods to the test,” Coffin said. “It’s been so helpful working with a guy like Glenn, he has amazing insights and is just a good guy to be around at events. It’s really cool competing and working with him in his hometown. It'll be great to go home from here with a good result then head to Snapper ready for action in a month from now.”
Conner Coffin. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
Other round six winners included Cole Houshmand, Connor O’Leary, Kalani Ball and Callum Robson who took down one of the event favorites Matt Wilkinson.
Connor O’Leary. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
After a few year’s straight of narrowly missing out on qualifying for the CT, Sunshine Coaster Isabella Nichols is keen to make 2019 her year. The former World Junior Champion made excellent steps towards success this year with a finals day berth at Avoca for a couple of strong performances on day five.
“Winning a QS3,000 is a massive result for someone trying to qualify especially on the women’s QS,” Nichols said. “It’s so good that WSL and Surfing NSW have teamed up with Vissla and Sisstrevolution to get this event up and running as it will definitely make a difference in peoples careers. I’m really excited to put on a good performance tomorrow for finals day and hopefully go all the way.”
Sage Erickson put on an epic performance on her way to finals day progressing into the quarterfinals with another former CT competitor Dimity Stoyle. Stoyle and Erickson were on the ropes as young Central Coast prodigy Molly Picklum pushed them till the final buzzer. Erickson is hoping to re-qualify for the CT in 2020 utilising a great result here at Avoca.
“I’ve gotten to know Molly over the last few days and she rips so hard, so I was super nervous to have her in my heat,” Erickson said. “She is still only 16 so is bound to have an awesome career. It was cool to make the heat with Dimity as we are staying together so have been feeding off each others energy a bit. There is a lot of points on offer tomorrow so I’m excited to see what happens in the finals.”
Sage Erickson. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
Recent Mothernest Great Lakes Pro Champion Ella Williams (NZL) took out the AirAsia Wave of The Day for an impressive combination of full rail turns in her round four exchange.
The elite six-day event will form the third and final stop on the Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series and will take place in Avoca Beach from the 27th February – 4th March 2019.
2019 Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series Event Schedule
- Event 1: Carve Pro QS1,000, Maroubra – January 23 – 26
- Event 2: Mothernest Great Lakes Pro, Boomerang Beach – February 20 -24
- Event 3: Vissla Central Coast Pro, Avoca Beach – February 27 – March 4
The Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series was developed for Australian and International surfers to gain ranking points and prize money on the WSL Qualifying Series. The series also creates a NSW coastal road trip for all to explore the variety of waves, visit local communities and enjoy NSW surfing culture.
Chauncey Robinson. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
The 2019 Vissla Central Coast Pro is happening right now in the Central Coast, with some of the world’s most promising surfers competing. Remember if you’re driving around the region in the event window #notxtnowrecks bought to you by Surfing NSW and supported by NSW Government Community Road Safety Grants program.
The 2019 Vissla Central Coast Pro is supported by the NSW Government. The event will also be proudly supported by Vissla, Sisstrevolution, Central Coast Council, AirAsia, H2Coco, Avoca Beach Hotel, Sea FM, WSL and Surfing NSW.
Report by Surfing NSW
TOP SEEDS HIT THE WATER AT AVOCA FOR THE VISSLA CENTRAL COAST PRO.
AVOCA BEACH, CENTRAL COAST
Saturday, 2 March 2019
The top seeds have hit the water on day four of the Vissla Central Coast Pro with Avoca Beach providing fun but wind affected two-to-three foot peaks. With the first few heats of round five came the men's top seeds and they didn’t disappoint, with some huge scores going down in front of the weekend crowds.
Championship Tour star Owen Wright got his competitive season off to a start today at Avoca, progressing through his first heat of the Vissla Central Coast Pro QS3,000. Wright came up against fellow South Coaster’s Kalani Ball and Ty Watson along with Central Coast super grom Lennox Chell. Wright struggled to get in a good rhythm until late in the heat when he found a couple of rights to find second place. In the end, it was Kalani Ball who took the win and progressed in the top spot.
“It’s so great to have a QS3,000 in Australia as it really fills the gap for guys trying to qualify for the CT and improve their seed,” Wright said. “I was a bit bummed to come up against my mate Ty Watson as I’d love to see him go far but it was cool to see Kalani get the win. In tough conditions like this I knew Kalani would be deadly as he has so many tricks and we don’t surf conditions like this to often on the CT so it was a real test for me. I’m stoked to be here and supporting these Aussie events and preparing for the season ahead. There is so much great talent coming through in Australia so I’d love to see some of these younger guys and girls go far here at Avoca.”
Owen Wright. Photos by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
Heat four of round five was a great indication that the future of Australian surfing is in great hands with Queensland duo Reef Heazlewood and Liam O’Brien putting on arguably the heat of the event so far. The two upstarts, who have been turning heads for at least the last six months, dominated the exchange with O’Brien’s razor sharp forehand earning him second place while Heazlewood’s explosive backside garnered a 16.03 heat total and the win. Reef looks well on his way to another big result to go with his recent ninth in Brazil and Final appearance at the Volcom Pipe Pro.
“I’m feeling really good this year and I’m having a lot of fun competing,” Heazlewood said. “I got really close to qualifying last year so know that it’s in me. I feel like my surfing is getting better and better so this could definitely be the year for me. I just need to focus on each event as it comes and enjoy myself. That is really working for me right now so that is what I’m going to keep doing.”
Reef Heazlewood. Photos by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
Vissla team-rider Cole Houshmand was fortunate to get a wildcard into Round 5 and the young San Clemente local made it count with a solid performance to clinch the win. Coming up against more senior, seasoned QS competitors, Houshmand seemed unfazed as he ripped into some huge backhand re-entries to comfortably take the heat win.
“I’m so stoked that I got a wildcard into this event,” Houshmand said. “It’s great that Vissla put money into events like this. A QS3,000 is such an important event for competitors with a lower seed as it really bridges the gap between a 1000 and the 6000 and 10,000 events. I love it in Australia so it’s great to be here competing and I’m hoping to post some solid results.”
Only a few months after dropping off the elite Championship Tour, Connor O’Leary has made his intentions clear for 2019 and that is to return to the CT by year’s end. The former CT Rookie of the Year continued the form that saw him win at the Carve Pro earlier this year, posting an excellent 8.33 on his way to a convincing round five heat win.
“These QS3,000 events are really important for everyone,” O’Leary said. “A result here is definitely worthy of being a keeper at the end of the year and could go along way to someone qualifying. It’s also just great to get some heat practice in with some of the CT surfers before the major events at Newcastle and Manly. Posting some solid scores felt good so I’m looking forward to the next round and hopefully the finals.”
Connor O'Leary. Photos by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
Hawaiian Imaikalani deVault kept busy in his opening Heat of the Aussie leg posting a number of decent scores on his way to eventually winning with a two-wave total of 13.37. deVault surfed with reckless abandon, slashing and boosting his way into round six.
“I get nervous in heats if I don’t get a wave early so I just got busy as soon as I could,” deVault said. “Luckily the first few waves I took off on allowed a few turns so I got into a bit of a rhythm. There is definitely a bit of punch in the surf which I really think suits my style of surfing.”
The elite six-day event will form the third and final stop on the Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series and will take place in Avoca Beach from the 27th February – 4th March 2019.
Mitch Parkinson. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
Cooper Chapman. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
2019 Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series Event Schedule
- Event 1: Carve Pro QS1,000, Maroubra – January 23 – 26
- Event 2: Mothernest Great Lakes Pro, Boomerang Beach – February 20 -24
- Event 3: Vissla Central Coast Pro, Avoca Beach – February 27 – March 4
The Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series was developed for Australian and International surfers to gain ranking points and prize money on the WSL Qualifying Series. The series also creates a NSW coastal road trip for all to explore the variety of waves, visit local communities and enjoy NSW surfing culture.
The 2019 Vissla Central Coast Pro is happening right now in the Central Coast, with some of the world’s most promising surfers competing. Remember if you’re driving around the region in the event window #notxtnowrecks bought to you by Surfing NSW and supported by NSW Government Community Road Safety Grants program.
The 2019 Vissla Central Coast Pro is supported by the NSW Government. The event will also be proudly supported by Vissla, Sisstrevolution, Central Coast Council, AirAsia, H2Coco, Avoca Beach Hotel, Sea FM, WSL and Surfing NSW.
Report by Surfing NSW
COMPETITORS MAKE LIGHT WORK OF TRICKY SURF AT THE VISSLA AND SISSTREVOLUTION CENTRAL COAST PRO.
AVOCA BEACH, CENTRAL COAST
Friday, 1 March 2019
Moderate onshore winds and a slight drop in swell size has seen competitors at the Vissla and Sisstrevolution Central Coast Pro dealing with tough conditions on day three of competition. Regardless of this, some of the world’s best put on more show-stopping performances, setting up an epic weekend of surfing at Avoca.
Kiwi competitor Billy Stairmand set a rampant pace from the first heat of the day posting the highest two-wave combination of the event so far, a 16.50 for some epic frontside power hooks. Fresh off a semifinal finish at the Mothernest Great Lakes Pro QS1,000, Stairmand is feeling fresh and ready to make a statement during this year’s Aussie leg.
“It’s good to be back competing in Australia,” Stairmand said. “I’ve started the year off in a good position with a ninth and a third at the first two events so I’m feeling really good and have some great equipment. There are a lot of big names in this event but I have had plenty of experience surfing against the Championship Tour guys so I feel like that will help me as I progress through this event.”
Billy Stairmand. Photos by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
Perennial qualification threat Mitch Coleborn (AUS) finds himself with a lower seed in 2019 after missing a few major events last season. The super talented goofy-footer is in need of a few solid results in the next three events if he’s a chance of mounting a campaign for the 2020 Championship Tour. Fortunately for Coleborn he was able to pull some last-second heroics to take the win and progress into round four.
“I’ve got a really low seed this year so there is a lot riding on my results at these next few events,” Coleborn said. “The waves got really tough to read in that heat so things definitely didn’t go to plan but I lucked into a decent one at the end and got two turns away. Currently, I’m sitting too low on the rankings to surf in the QS10,000 events which is the first time in a long time for me so I’m really keen to get a big result here and start the year well.”
Mitch Coleborn. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
Having recently fallen off the elite Championship Tour last season, California’s Sage Erickson (USA) is looking for a massive result at Avoca to get her re-qualification campaign underway. The former top 10 surfer is familiar with the Central Coast spending half her year at nearby Copacabana Beach with her boyfriend each year. This comfort and familiarity shone through as Erickson posted a 15.67 heat total to progress into round four.
“I’ve been spending a lot of time in this area for the last 10 years so it feels like a second home for sure,” Erickson said. “The waves back in California haven’t been great for the last few weeks so I’ve been so excited to get down here and surf. I think that excitement definitely came through in my surfing during that heat – it felt really nice to post some bigger numbers to start the year off.”
2017 Championship Tour Rookie of the Year Bronte Macaulay (AUS) got her 2019 season off to a great start, taking out heat nine of round three. Although Macaulay came away with the top progressing spot, she felt lucky to make it through her heat and into round four with 20-minute heats not giving the West Australian much time to post two scores.
“On the CT we have 30 or 35 heats so that 20 minutes just flew by,” Macaulay said. “It definitely wasn’t the start to the year I was hoping for but I’ll take the win. This is a pretty intense event as a good result could really help someone’s seasons which makes the field so much hungrier.”
Bronte Macaulay. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
16-year-old Central Coast native Molly Picklum (AUS) continued to build on the momentum that’s seen her claim two WSL Pro Junior victories in 2019, taking a win over 2019 Championship Tour surfer Paige Hareb (NZL) in round three. Picklum synced her powerful forehand repertoire with the punchy righthanders on offer, nailing a handful of exciting and powerful turns, which were duly rewarded with a decent 13.40 two-wave heat total. Picklum will now face Tia Blanco (PRI), Leilani McGonagle (CRI) and Ellie Brooks (AUS) in round four.
Molly Picklum. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
“Things definitely felt like they clicked in that heat,” said Picklum. “The righthanders that were breaking deeper on the bank began to pulse and I was able to find a few decent waves. I felt as though my earlier heats were a bit slower and I wasn’t able to find a rhythm, so to have a heat like that definitely helps my confidence.”
Local Sandon Whittaker (Avoca, NSW) claimed the AirAsia Wave Of The Day for a full-rotation air-reverse in his round three heat.
The elite six-day event will form the third and final stop on the Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series and will take place in Avoca Beach from the 27th February – 4th March 2019.
2019 Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series Event Schedule
- Event 1: Carve Pro QS1,000, Maroubra – January 23 – 26
- Event 2: Mothernest Great Lakes Pro, Boomerang Beach – February 20 -24
- Event 3: Vissla Central Coast Pro, Avoca Beach – February 27 – March 4
The Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series was developed for Australian and International surfers to gain ranking points and prize money on the WSL Qualifying Series. The series also creates a NSW coastal road trip for all to explore the variety of waves, visit local communities and enjoy NSW surfing culture.
The 2019 Vissla Central Coast Pro is happening right now in the Central Coast, with some of the world’s most promising surfers competing. Remember if you’re driving around the region in the event window #notxtnowrecks bought to you by Surfing NSW and supported by NSW Government Community Road Safety Grants program.
The 2019 Vissla Central Coast Pro is supported by the NSW Government. The event will also be proudly supported by Vissla, Sisstrevolution, Central Coast Council, AirAsia, H2Coco, Avoca Beach Hotel, Sea FM, WSL and Surfing NSW.
Report by Surfing NSW
Naru Awada. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
Dakoda Walters. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
YOUNG INTERNATIONALS SHINE AT THE VISSLA AND SISSTREVOLUTION CENTRAL COAST PRO.
AVOCA BEACH, CENTRAL COAST
Thursday, 28 February 2019
An unexpected increase in swell has provided more awesome conditions for competitors on day two of the Vissla and Sisstrevolution Central Coast Pro. The World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3000 event ran through another huge day of surfing with the completion of round two and half of round three.
Former World Junior Champion Vahine Fierro (FRA) got her 2019 campaign off to a flying start, posting the equal highest heat total of the event so far. Fierro’s 15.00 point (out of a possible 20) two-wave combination came from her solid backhand attack in the clean three-foot waves at Avoca. The young French competitor was glad to get her season off on the right foot after a tough year of competition in 2018.
“I had some great results in 2017 but struggled a bit last year,” Fierro said. “I really want to get back on a roll in 2019 so this is a great start. That was a tricky heat as I started off taking some poor waves and only getting one turn in but I kept active and eventually found that 8.17 (out of a possible 10) which was good. Australia is one of my favourite places to come in the world so I’m so happy to be back here competing.”
Vahine Fierro. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW.
Brazilian prodigy Taina Hinkel continued her love affair with Australia, equaling Fierro’s high 15.00 heat total. Hinkel utilised lefts and rights to put her opponents in a combination situation (needing two scores) and progress into round three. After some huge experiences in 2018, Hinkel believes 2019 could be a great year for her career.
“This is my first time to Avoca and it’s really beautiful,” Hinkel said. “I love it here in Australia – the waves are fun and the water is beautiful. After a third at the World Junior Championships and wildcards into the CT and Founders Cup events I got a lot of confidence out of 2018. I’m feeling really good ahead of this year and can’t wait to see what 2019 brings.”
Taina Hinkel. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW.
The upset of the day came when the event’s reigning winner Sarah Baum was eliminated in heat four of round two. Baum was sitting in a commanding position for the majority of the heat until Cannelle Bulard took the lead. Needing to hang onto second place to progress, Baum had to sit and watch as Aussie Freya Prumm took off on a set and belted two huge frontside turns to post a 6.90 after the buzzer and take the win. Prumm and Bulard will progress while Baum is eliminated.
“I knew in the last few minutes I had to be patient and wait for a wave that could give me the score,” Prumm said. “I almost took off on a couple of smaller waves but decided to wait and luckily in the dying seconds that set wave came so I was super lucky. Coming up against Sarah (Baum) is tough as she is one of my favourite surfers and is a great competitor. It’s a shame to see her go down as I feel like if everything came together for her she would qualify for sure.”
Similarly, local legend Shane Holmes will be unable to defend his title at Avoca as he went down to Gold Coaster Mitch Parkinson in heat four of round three. Holmes failed to get firing as Parkinson took to the skies with ease to post a winning heat total of 13.96 and progress into round four.
“I’ve been surfing Cyclone Oma all week just getting barreled and not doing turns so it was strange surfing smaller waves again today,” Parkinson said. “I never thought much about taking on the defending event winner as anyone in this contest is a threat. I find it easier to land airs than turns sometimes so I figured it would be easy to post scores in the air. If it feels right I’ll just keep doing that in round four.”
Mitchell Parkinson (Gold Coast, Qld) - caused one of the upsets of the event so far, eliminating reigning Vissla Central Coast Pro champion and Central Coast local Shane Holmes. Photos by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW.
North Narrabeen goofy-footer David Vlug put on a commanding performance in his opening heat posting a 14.50 two-wave combination for a searing display of backhand surfing. Although he was the highest seed in his heat, Vlug never discounted his opponents, stating that no heat in a QS3,000 should be taken lightly.
“It takes a lot of hard work to build your seed up so it’s nice to start in a later round of an event like this,” Vlug said. “But once you’re in that position you can’t take your opponents lightly as they had to take people down to get into that Round. I’m stoked I got to post a couple of solid scores and make it through. The waves are really fun and look like continuing like this throughout the week so it should be an awesome event.”
David Vlug. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW.
A special mention must go to Kiwi Elliott Paerata-Reid who took out the AirAsia Air of The Day for an impressive frontside full rotation air-reverse.
The elite six-day event will form the third and final stop on the Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series and will take place in Avoca Beach from the 27th February – 4th March 2019.
2019 Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series Event Schedule
- Event 1: Carve Pro QS1,000, Maroubra – January 23 – 26
- Event 2: Mothernest Great Lakes Pro, Boomerang Beach – February 20 -24
- Event 3: Vissla Central Coast Pro, Avoca Beach – February 27 – March 4
The Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series was developed for Australian and International surfers to gain ranking points and prize money on the WSL Qualifying Series. The series also creates a NSW coastal road trip for all to explore the variety of waves, visit local communities and enjoy NSW surfing culture.
The 2019 Vissla Central Coast Pro is happening right now in the Central Coast, with some of the world’s most promising surfers competing. Remember if you’re driving around the region in the event window #notxtnowrecks bought to you by Surfing NSW and supported by NSW Government Community Road Safety Grants program.
The 2019 Vissla Central Coast Pro is supported by the NSW Government. The event will also be proudly supported by Vissla, Sisstrevolution, Central Coast Council, AirAsia, H2Coco, Avoca Beach Hotel, Sea FM, WSL and Surfing NSW.
Report by Surfing NSW
Alysse Cooper. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW.
Cedar Leigh-Jones. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW.
Tru Starling. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW.
Darcy Crump. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW.
Jamie Thomson. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW.
Samson Coulter. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW.
COMPETITION OFF TO A FLYING START AT THE VISSLA AND SISSTREVOLUTION CENTRAL COAST PRO.
AVOCA BEACH, CENTRAL COAST
Wednesday, 17 February 2019
Avoca Beach has served up small but clean conditions for the opening day of the Vissla and Sisstrevolution Central Coast Pros. The World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series 3000 event saw a massive day of action with rounds one and two running.
Young Northern Beaches upstart Cedar Leigh-Jones was the standout on day one, posting the highest heat total of the opening day. Leigh-Jones waited patiently with a mid-range score already locked, eventually pouncing on a set to post an excellent 8.17 (out of a possible 10) for a two-wave total of 14.84 (out of a possible 20). Cedar progresses into round two with form surfer and Central Coast local Molly Picklum who snuck through her opening heat.
“It felt really good to post such a good score like that,” Leigh-Jones said. “Especially as I was coming up against Molly who has been ripping lately. It’s so good to have a QS3,000 so close to home as it could give us the opportunity to come up against some of the Championship Tour competitors which would be so cool. Surfing against CT competitors gives us such good experience as we all aim to be there one day.”
Cedar Leigh-Jones was the standout on day one, posting the highest heat total of the opening day. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
Posting the equal second highest heat total of the day was Canadian surfer Bethany Zelasko who overcame Tarnea O’Meara and Gilvanilta Ferreira in the last heat of round one. Zelansko looked to be in good rhythm with the shifting Avoca peaks and finds herself in round two where she is hoping to continue her run of form.
“This is a really tricky wave to work out,” Zelasko said. “I’ve been here for a few days trying to get it figured out and finally today I found my rhythm. I’m really hoping to make a few more heats and maybe take on one of the CT surfers – that would be a real test. I’m loving my time here on the Central Coast – it’s such a beautiful place.”
Bethany Zelasko. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
Hailing from Shelly Beach just a short journey north of Avoca, Saxon Lumsden was relishing the opportunity to compete in a WSL event so close to home. The powerful natural-footer surfed a busy heat, catching nine waves to progress in second place behind Miyu Fuwukawa.
“It’s always good to surf an event so close to home,” Lumsden said. “The best part is you get to repay all of your friends from around the world with hosting them at your own house and show them around town. The fact this event has been upgraded to a QS3,000 and has attracted such a great international field is awesome for the young surfers on the Central Coast. It gives them a chance to see how the best surfers compete and even the opportunity to surf with them.”
Other standout performers on the opening day of competition included Dylan Groen (GER), James McMorland (AUS) Arashi Kato (JPN) Kenta Ishakawa (JPN) and Nathan Cook (AUS). Cook, who is also a Central Coast native, loved the opportunity to compete with a home court advantage.
“I grew up at Foresters Beach not far from here but have moved up to the Gold Coast for the last few years,” Cook said. “It’s so good to be back in such a familiar place and competing for good QS points. The waves definitely got a little better during my heat so I’m looking forward to see how the event unfolds over the coming days.”
Nathan Cook. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
Competition will continue tomorrow with the remaining heats of men’s round two expected to kick off competition at 7:30 am local time.
The elite six-day event will form the third and final stop on the Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series and will take place in Avoca Beach from the 27th February – 4th March 2019.
2019 Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series Event Schedule
- Event 1: Carve Pro QS1,000, Maroubra – January 23 – 26
- Event 2: Mothernest Great Lakes Pro, Boomerang Beach – February 20 -24
- Event 3: Vissla Central Coast Pro, Avoca Beach – February 27 – March 4
The Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series was developed for Australian and International surfers to gain ranking points and prize money on the WSL Qualifying Series. The series also creates a NSW coastal road trip for all to explore the variety of waves, visit local communities and enjoy NSW surfing culture.
The 2019 Vissla Central Coast Pro is happening right now in the Central Coast, with some of the world’s most promising surfers competing. Remember if you’re driving around the region in the event window #notxtnowrecks bought to you by Surfing NSW and supported by NSW Government Community Road Safety Grants program.
The 2019 Vissla Central Coast Pro is supported by the NSW Government. The event will also be proudly supported by Vissla, Sisstrevolution, Central Coast Council, AirAsia, H2Coco, Avoca Beach Hotel, Sea FM, WSL and Surfing NSW.
Kurtis Vaughan - Day 1. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
Bodhi Leigh-Jones - Day 1. Photo by Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW
Report by Surfing NSW
