Rising surf star Jacob Willcox wins inaugural WSL qualifying series Tweed Coast Pro

RISING star Jacob Willcox has taken another step in his surfing “apprenticeship’’ by snaring the Tweed Coast Pro title in a thrilling final at Cabarita Beach.

Jacob Willcox in action during the men's final of the Tweed Coast Pro World Surf League qualifying series held at the Cabarita Beach, New South Wales. Picture: Regi Varghese

WEST Australian rising star Jacob Willcox has taken another step in his surfing “apprenticeship’’ by snaring the inaugural Tweed Coast Pro title in a thrilling final at Cabarita Beach.

The Margaret River goofy-footer looked set for disappointment in the final against close mate Ethan Ewing, who was searching for back-to-back World Surf League qualifying series titles after winning the Burleigh Pro on Sunday.

But he found a wave in the dying seconds of the contest and posted a 7.35 — the best score of the final — to finish over the top of Ewing to snare the title.

“I was coming from behind the whole way,’’ Willcox said.

“Ethan got an early lead on me so I was just scratching the whole time.

“We had a good exchange at the end of the heat, I managed to get a good one and then I pulled off and paddled back out and I saw him on a really good one as well.’’

Ewing had needed a 7.16 to regain the lead but fell just short, with Willcox taking the title to add to the victory he had in qualifying for the WSL Newcastle Pro QS event at the weekend.

Willcox graduated from the junior ranks last year and will start his journey on the WSL qualifying series as he works to earn a place on the championship tour.

“I’m going to do a full QS year this year and I’m looking forward to the year and hopefully I can make the most of the opportunities,’’ he said.

“It’s an apprenticeship, I guess, so it takes a few years to learn how it all works but I’m definitely hopeful that I can one day achieve my goal of getting on the world tour but there’s still a lot of learning to do.’’

Mikaela Greene continued her stellar start to the year by taking out the women’s title against Gold Coaster Eden Putland.

Greene, whose charge at a spot on the WSL championship tour was put back after she spent almost 18 months recovering from a back injury suffered during a snowboarding accident in Switzerland, added to the Tweed title to her win at the Carve Pro at Maroubra last month.

“I’m just ecstatic right now, it’s been such a dream run at the start of the year for me, so I’m so happy,’’ she said.

“I’m so excited for the rest of the year.

“The QS, I was always planning on it being a three-year journey but then a year-and-a-half got completely wiped out (by the snowboarding accident).

“I’m planning on doing all the six stars (QS 6000 events) this year and my ultimate goal is to qualify for the championship tour by the end of this year.’’