Close call leads to a new focus
AFTER missing out by a single heat a year ago, teenager Macy Callaghan has decided the best way to deal with the pressure of trying to crack the women’s world surfing tour before she turns 19 is to just go with the flow.
The NSW Central Coast surfer could secure herself a spot on the 2019 championship tour today by winning the Port Stephens Pro QS6000m, the last point-scoring event of the year.
But Callaghan has decided the best way for her to stay calm and focused is not to think about the victor’s spoils or any other result which could secure her a spot.
“I have no idea what I have to do to get on the world tour and that’s working for me,’’ Callaghan said. “My goal is to just try to win this.’’
Callaghan last year fell a heat short of qualifying for the women’s world tour at the same Port Stephens event she hopes will launch her elite tour career this time around.
But a string of injuries to top surfers saw Callaghan gain vital experience on the tour as an injury replacement.
“When you surf against the best in the world it does lift your standard,’’ the 2017 world junior champion said.
In Callaghan’s case it lifted her into her first world tour final at just 18 in October when she finished runner-up to American Courtney Conlogue at the Roxy Pro France.
Also in with a shot at earning a world tour call-up with a top result at Port Stephens is Newcastle surfer Philippa Anderson.
Both Anderson and Callaghan surfed into the quarterfinals yesterday.
Anderson will meet world tour surfer Nikki Van Dijk in her quarters match-up with Callaghan against Japan’s Mahina Maeda who she beat for the 2017 junior world crown.