Felicity’s minute progress

FELICITY Palmateer isn’t used to taking things slowly but the Big Wave surfer did just enough to progress at the Port Stephens Pro Qualifying Series 6000 yesterday.

The Gold Coast talent, returning from a back injury, kept it simple for her first surf in a while, only catching two waves to post her winning heat total of 11.60 for two long lefthanders.

Conditions settled for the second day of competition with Birubi Beach dishing up clean 2-to-3 foot surf for the completion of Rounds 1 and 2.

“It’s been a while since I’ve surfed in general let alone a contest,” the stylish goofyfooter said.

“I’ve had a bit of a back injury so this was actually my first surf in nearly two months. I thought as this is the last event of the year and it is in Australia I may as well enter it and see how I go. I love this zone, the waves are amazing and the beaches are beautiful so hopefully, the waves keep coming and we can have a fun few days.”

With some of surfing’s biggest up-and-coming names on hand, the standout performance of the day went to young Australian Mia McCarthy.

The 19-year-old posted an excellent 8.00-point (out of a possible 10) ride on her first wave of the day.

It was the highest single wave score of the day and was earned for a solid display of backhand surfing. It was an impressive feat from someone who is competing in her first ever QS6,000.

The action, to be livestreamed by the WSL, will continue today and run until next Tuesday.