Central Coast surfer Macy Callaghan requalifies for world surfing tour
It was such a close call this young surfer is worried she may have grown a grey hair or two - at just 19.
Central Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Central Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Surfer ends 'crap year' on high note
- Son of NRL star dreaming big
- Painful cut that created a Waratahs champ
Shelly Beach surfer Macy Callaghan has emerged from one of the most stressful days of her surfing career with a major triumph.
And while it wasn’t the Port Stephens Toyota Pro crown she was chasing, her second place was enough to requalify her for the world surf tour in 2020.
Callaghan finished second to Isabella Nichols, the young Queenslander who will make her debut on the WSL women’s world tour in 2020.
Callaghan needed to make the final to secure her spot in the 17-strong women’s field which will vie for next years world championship crown.
Selected surfers on the tour will also contest the inaugural surfing competition at the Tokyo Olympics.
TOKYO: Jess hoping it’s third time lucky
YOUNG GUN: A-game earns Aussie soccer call-up
“It was close,’’ said Callaghan, whose early exit from an event in Victoria last week made the Port Stephens event high stakes.
“I think after today I might have grown a few grey hairs.’’
Callaghan, 19, said she had “fallen into a hole’’ prior to the start of the Port Stephens event after failing to put herself in a stronger position with a top result at the Phillip Island Pro.
“I feel stoked I have done it,’’ she said.
“I was a bit worried. I had a couple of days where I was a little down on how things were going.
“But I managed to pull myself out of that little hole. I just surrounded myself with friends and family and it helped.
“I’m super happy to be back on the wold tour.’’
Callaghan will now fly to Hawaii to compete on the final qualifying event of the year at Sunset.
“Then I’m going on vacation and not doing anything for a few weeks,’’ she said.