145 SURFERS descended on Birubi Beach this past weekend to take part in the 2022 Gage Roads Port Stephens Pro QS1,000.

Among the surfers were locals Jasmine Sampson, Jimmi Hill, Mike and Ellie Clayton-Brown and Joshua Stretton.

Local wildcards Jimmi Hill (14) and Jasmine Sampson (20) from Bay Area Boardriders Club were both feeling positive going into the event, especially with their home advantage.

“I’m so stoked to receive the wildcard for this event.

“The banks at Birubi are perfect right now and looking really good next week with swell around 3-5 feet and a ENE breeze.

“That’s just the right conditions for Birubi, forecast for Monday.

“I can’t wait to get out there,” said Jimmi Hill.

Jasmine Sampson echoed the stoke saying, “I’m really grateful to have received this opportunity to surf at the Port Stephens Pro.

“I’ve been surfing at Birubi since I can remember so I have a good understanding of the wave and how it works, I think I can definitely use that to my advantage.”

Jasmine was eliminated at the Round of 32 stage, finishing in 25th, while Jimmi was unable to get out of his heat.

Ellie Clayton-Brown also left the tournament at the Round of 32, given a tough heat including Philippa Anderson (Merewether), the event runner up in 2021, who will be hoping to go one better and take a win in 2022.

Joshua Stretton advanced out of his Round of 80 heat, before being beaten narrowly at the Round of 64 stage.

On Sunday, Mikey Clayton-Brown had his hands full with a stacked heat against Great Lakes Pro winner Joel Vaughan, runner-up Cooper Davies and Stu Kennedy.

But they were no match for the Port Stephens local who secured a huge win and boost of confidence ahead of finals day.

“I’m so pumped to get a win out here at home against such a stacked field of amazing surfers,” Clayton-Brown said.

“I really tried to use my local knowledge to pick the best waves out there as it’s quite easy to get lost and find yourself in no man’s land.

“I’m just taking this event heat by heat and hopefully I can make some more heats and do some damage.”

At the time of writing, the 2022 Gage Roads Port Stephens Pro QS1,000 is still underway.

Full report in next week’s NOTA.

 

By Marian SAMPSON