SURFING –
Macy Callaghan and Joel Vaughan, both from the Central Coast, have topped the Australian/Oceania Qualifying Series (QS) Rankings in the Men and Women conferences, with the final tally in after the completion of the World Surf League’s Newcastle Surfest QS 5000.
In the final event at Mereweather Beach from March 29 to April 3, Callaghan earned her second QS event win this season, following her recent hometown win against Molly Picklum in the Central Coast Pro.
In her Newcastle Surfest final, the Avoca Beach local and North Shelly Boardrider brought precision to her execution to post a two-wave total of 14.84, from only two wave attempts all heat.
After missing out on re-qualification for the Championship Tour, Callaghan has reawakened her chances of reaching the top tier of world surfing, now dependent on her preparation and performance in the upcoming Challenger Series.
“I feel like I’ve put in a lot of hard work over the years, and to see it come back to me with two wins feels amazing,” Macy said.
“Especially that they’re both so close to my home – that’s really special. I’ve been competing at Surfest since I was 15. I won the cadet cup back then, then I won my first Pro Junior and now this – Newcastle has been good to me.
“This is a great way to finish the QS season and I’m looking forward to heading into the Challenger Series feeling positive and keen to give it a good go.”
For North Shelly Beach’s Joel Vaughan, topping the Men’s QS rankings is the result of consistent results throughout the entire Series.
Reaching the quarter finals in the Newcastle Surfest followed a win at the Great Lakes Pro and two second places at the Tweed Coast and Phillip Island Pros.
With QS rankings finalised, the attention of the nine male and seven female top seeds from Australia and New Zealand will turn to season’s Challenger Series, scheduled to start in May.
Haakon Barry