BIRUBI BEACH, SYDNEY (Thursday 29 April 2021): Day one of the Port Stephens Surf Festival got off to a flying start with some of the NSW’s best longboarders shining in clean and playful two-to-three-foot conditions.
 
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.
 
Sam Ticknor (Evans Head) proved to be the dominant surfer over the course of the first round of the Open Men’s division. Ticknor found a handful of beautiful 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.
 
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.
 
The competition will commence each day at 7:30 am with the call for the day’s schedule and location confirmed via the event hotline at 6:45 am. The event hotline is 0458 247 212.
 
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. However, depending on the number of competitors, some divisions may be reduced to straight knockout.
 
For the second time, Surfing NSW will be adding a fun-filled tag team event. Each team will be made up of four surfers. The team must be made up of one Junior (male or female) and at least one Over-40 competitor (male or female).
 
Historically, competitors have come from as far south as Tomakin and as far north as Tweed Heads to enter the event.
 
The 2021 Port Stephens Surf Festival is proudly supported by Australian Skin Cancer Clinics, Crest Café, Gildan, Port Stephens Council and Surfing NSW.