Sam Ticknor carving it up at the Port Stephens Surf Festival

Evans Head teen is “taking it as it comes” and enjoying the waves as he progresses to the finals in the open and junior men’s heats at Port Stephens Surf Festival.

CARVING: Evans Head surfer Sam Ticknor's grace under pressure saw him emerge as the dominant surfer in the Men's Open Longboarding division at the Port Stephens Surf Festival on Thursday April 29, 2021 with a respectable two-wave total of 12.74. Photo: Ethan Smith / Surfing NSW

Talented Evans Head teenager Sam Ticknor’s beautiful blend of traditional and innovative manoeuvres saw him set the standard of the Port Stephens Surf Festival yesterday.

Ticknor, 17, was competing in both the junior and open men’s divisions and making waves in the process.

On Thursday Ticknor used graceful moves underpinned by quietly powerful style to take advantage of the clean and playful two-to-three-foot conditions to emerge as the dominant surfer over the course of the first round of the Open Men’s division held at Birubi Beach.

The Year 12 Evans River High School student found a handful of tapered walls in his heat that allowed him to mix together a bunch of traditional and innovative carves to finish the heat with a respectable 12.74 two-wave total.

And on Friday (April 30), Ticknor showed his form by winning his heat with 14.83.

Fresh from his early morning heat, Ticknor said he was pleased with his progress.

“The waves were pretty fun and cruisy 2-3 feet offshore this morning,” he said.

“Now I surf in the juniors’ final and the men’s open semi final tomorrow (Saturday).”

Ticknor said his weapon of choice was a Sean Nettleton 9’5” singlefin.

And the teen said he’s enjoying the competition,

“I’m just taking it as it comes – if I win it would be great to go to the Aussie titles.”

“I’ve been surfing since I was eight or nine and when I finish school I’ll go to uni and keep surfing for fun.”

Meanwhile, Tully White (Allambie Heights) showed why she is a former Australian Title holder, shining in the Open Women’s longboard division.

White performed a mix of stylish noserides and carves to take out the opening heat with a massive 16.17 two-wave heat total and gained the edge as she heads into her second heat.

Former Australian and NSW champion Jason Livingston (Curl Curl) built on the same momentum that’s carried him to the top of the winner’s dais multiple times over the last decade as he demolished a handful of waves in the first round of the Over-45 and Over-50 Men’s.

Livingston notched up a 15.50 and a 15.67 two-wave heat total over the course of the two respective divisions and is due to make his next appearance tomorrow.

Over 170 competitors are expected to compete in the six-day event, which will see longboards run from 29 April – 1 May and the SUP’s follow from 2 May – 4 May.

The two-state title events will form the Port Stephens Surf Festival and decide the NSW Teams for the upcoming Australian SUP Titles and the Australian Longboard Titles.

2021 will replicate the format from previous years which engages a second chance format across all divisions.

The 2021 Port Stephens Surf Festival is proudly supported by Australian Skin Cancer Clinics, Crest Cafe, Gildan, Port Stephens Council and Surfing NSW.