Jasmine Sampson knew from an early age what she wanted to be when she grew up - a professional surfer.
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While the 17 year old from Anna Bay was nervous about starting her Higher School Certificate exams this week, Sampson took comfort in knowing that she is already on the path to realising her post school career aspirations.
And she will dive straight into chasing that career next month when she surfs alongside the best in the business in the Port Stephens Toyota Pro.
"It's really exciting to be surfing in the Pro," Sampson said. "It's a really good experience and a great opportunity for me to surf against these girls who are the best in the world."
A member of the Bay Area Boardriders, Sampson was offered a wildcard into the Pro's Women's Qualifying Series (QS) 6000 event by Surfing NSW to fly the flag for Port Stephens.
It is the third year Samspon has been invited to surf in the Pro. Also flying the flag for Port Stephens in the Pro is Sampson's best friend, Elle Clayton-Brown, 17, from Corlette.
The professional surfing event, back for a third year, will be held at Birubi Beach from November 15 to 17.
This year's Pro will only feature the Women's QS6000. Due to scheduling changes, the Men's QS1000 and junior events will be absent from the event program. It is expected they will make a return next year.
The Port Pro is the last major World Surf League QS event of the year for professional female surfers.
It is an opportunity for the competitors to gain some crucial points to help them qualify the 2020 Championship Tour.
Among the professional surfers confirmed to make the trip to Port Stephens next month are Bronte Macaulay, Paige Hareb and Brisa Hennessy.
Sampson was seeded into round three of last year's Pro against Hennessy, a CT surfer from Costa Rica.
In assessing last year's match up, Sampson was buoyed by the fact she had beaten Hennessy in a heat in a past competition.
But, the local could not reproduce that result in front of a home crowd in last year's Pro and bowed out of the competition.
"The waves in that heat didn't suit my style of surfing," Sampson recalled about the Pro heat against Hennessy last year.
"The waves in the Pro last year were half a foot onshore and really choppy. I like surfing really punchy, critical conditions in the three to five foot range. But anyone can surf really well in those calmer conditions.
"I think it goes to show how skilled you have to be as a CT surfer. You have to be able to win in any conditions.
"Surfing in the Pro and against these CT surfers is a great experience. I'm excited to get another opportunity to prove myself."
Appendicitis saw Sampson beached for the first three months of the year, meaning she missed out on taking part in Surfest and QS events along the coast.
Having aged out of the junior competitions, Sampson has been surfing against in the open men's category of the Bay Area Boardriders' competition, which she said was good practice.
"It makes me push myself, to step up me game," she said.
Next year, Sampson plans to go full-time in the QS, travelling around Australia and Asia competing in competitions.
For now, she will compete her HSC and continue to surf her home break - Birubi Beach - in preparation for the Pro.
"I spend a lot of time out there," she said. "It gives me a lot of confidence going into the Pro that I know this break off by heart. I'm excited to see who I'll be surfing against out her next month."
Nikki Van Dijk, from Victoria, solidified her spot on the 2019 CT with a win against the Central Coast's Macy Callaghan in last year's Port Stephens Toyota Pro.
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