SURFING: Tyler Wright may be top of the world right now, but a talented crop of young surfers with big aspirations is emerging and they are set to go head to head next week in the Sydney International Women’s Pro.
The Sydney International is a QS6000 event sanctioned by the World Surf League, and is one of the last opportunities for surfers to get the much-needed points to get onto the 2017 World Tour.
With surfing added to the Olympic program for Tokyo 2020, young surfers such as Isabella Nichols and Macy Callaghan are hungrier than ever to be the best in the world.
“Ever since I was little I have watched the Olympics and have always been inspired by all the athletes,” 16-year-old Callaghan said.
“Surfing in the Olympics would be an absolute dream of mine and I'm really motivated to train hard and become the best so I can surf for my country in 2020!”
Callaghan, from Avoca on the NSW Central Coast, had a breakthrough year in 2016 making her debut in the Qualifying Series.
“It was really surprising actually, I didn’t expect to go so well,” Callaghan said.
“Female surfing is growing and improving by the minute. These girls have really pushed the limits in the sport and they definitely push not only myself and other girls to go bigger and better.”
Currently ranked 14th on the QS rankings, if she performs at Cronulla she could very well book a spot on the World Tour for next year.
“If I get a really great result in Cronulla, anything could happen, I’ll just have to wait and see.”
Nichols who hails from Coolum on the Sunshine Coast, is the reigning Junior World Champion, and at 19 is also enjoying success on the world stage alongside her senior rivals.
“A win would be super nice in my home country,” Nichols said of next week’s Sydney International Pro, “but I'm just going to give it my best shot!”
Nichols and Callaghan will have the opportunity to prove themselves against some world-class surfers, with the likes of Coco Ho, Sage Erickson and Laura Enever taking part as well as Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbons who is hosting the event.
“The fact that young female surfers have so many inspiring and talented women to look up to definitely pushes the standard and its awesome to watch and be a part of,” Nichols said.
“I'm super motivated to get selected to go to the Olympics! That would be such a cool experience and the fact that surfing is now an Olympic sport will definitely push the level of surfing to new heights.
The Sydney International Women’s Pro is the marquee event of the International Beach Festival and which will take place in Cronulla from 3 – 6 November.
The Festival will also feature an ocean swim with Olympic water polo players Nicola Zagame, Keesja Gofers and Lea Yanitsas getting involved. Olympic middle distance runner Eloise Wellings will be pounding the Cronulla pavements in the Shire Mile Run, a 1.6km street run.
Entries for both events are open to the public until Friday 4 November at www.internationalbeachfestival.com.au
Alice Wheeler
