Cabarita teenager Zahli Kelly has earned a wildcard into the Port Stephens Toyota NSW Pro.
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The 15-year-old said she is excited to visit Port Stephens and surf in the Women’s QS6000, which will kick off at Birubi Beach on November 2.
“I’m super stoked and honoured to have received the wildcard spot from WSL,” Kelly said.
“It’s really exciting to compete against the best women surfers in the world. It gives me an opportunity to step up and push my competitive surfing to another level.
“I surfed at Port Stephens earlier in the year and won the event so I’m excited to get back there and I'm definitely confident.”
The young NSW North Coast native has already had a stellar competitive season.
Kelly took out two events on the WSL Australia/Oceania Junior Qualifying Series to become regional champion and secure herself a spot in the 2017 World Junior Championships.
Although qualifying points are not especially important to her at this stage of her career, Kelly said she is excited to have the opportunity to compete alongside some of her idols.
Kelly is hoping to soak up her experience surfing in a QS6000 event and use the lessons learned at the World Junior Championships, to be held in Kiama in January.
“What I will gain most from this experience will be feeling more comfortable surfing against the best in the world,” she said.
“I think the more I get the opportunity to have heats against the top women the more it will feel just like any other heat. When you feel comfortable you always surf your best.”
Kelly is also slated to compete in the under-16 girls division of the PRD and Kaos Surf Cadet Cup.
Macy Callaghan, the current women’s world junior champion, will head to Port Stephens next week with a chance to qualify for the elite women’s championship tour in 2018.
Callaghan, 16, from Avoca Beach, went from regional JQS champion to winning the world junior title in Kiama earlier this year.
She said the Port Stephens event is “really important to me and to a lot of girls that are on the cusp of qualifying for the CT”.
“There are a lot of points on offer and the ratings are very close so it will be very exciting,” she said.
“I have never actually surfed at Birubi so I’m excited to check it out. It is close to home so I'm feeling pretty good.”
In her first year as a fully fledged QS surfer, Callaghan knows how important the QS6000 events are.
With just six QS6000s on the 2017 calendar, each event is important, but none more so than the grand finale which this year is the Port Stephens Toyota NSW Pro.
“This event is so important for the women as we don't have that many QS6000 events so these points are seriously vital,” Callaghan said.
“I’ve had some great results this year but it has been really hard. I’m feeling good and can’t wait for the last event to kick off.”
Port Stephens Toyota NSW Pro events
Women’s QS6000
When: Thursday, November 2 to Sunday, November 5
Where: Primary bank, Birubi Beach
Men’s QS1000
When: Thursday, November 2 to Sunday, November 5
Where: Primary bank, Birubi Beach
Port Stephens Women's Challenge
When: Friday, November 3
Where: Secondary bank, Birubi Beach
PRD and Kaos Surf Cadet Cup
When: Saturday, November 4 and Sunday, November 5
Where: Secondary bank, Birubi Beach
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
