Wylie at the top of his game

JAN JUC surfer Tully Wylie has landed himself atop the World Surf League’s 2023/24 Australia/Oceania men’s Qualifying Series (QS) tour rankings after finishing second in the Nias Pro.

The 23-year old’s runner-up finish to Indonesian powerhouse Rio Waida at the 5,000-point rated event at Lagundri Bay last week was his best ever competitive result.

Wylie’s previous best was an event win at the Phillip Island Pro QS1000 and a third place at the Rip Curl Pro URBNSURF in 2022.

He also competed as a wildcard in the 2022 Championship Tour Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach after winning through the Victorian Trials.

Wylie said he was over the moon to be in some of the best form of his career.

“I honestly can’t explain how good it feels. I still don’t really believe it. It’s definitely my best result so far.

“My main game plan throughout the whole event was to be as consistent as possible. I was confident in my ability and knew if I got two waves and surfed them well, I could make heats.

“Going into the event, my best result had been in the round of 16 at Krui, Indonesia earlier in the year. I wanted to do one better and make the quarters, which I was lucky enough to do.

“I went and surfed at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa for a month to sharpen up my backhand before the Nias event too, which I felt worked really well.”

Wylie said it was a strange feeling to see his name atop the Australia/Oceania men’s qualifying series rankings going into the next major event in Taiwan in November.

“Never seen my name that high up before, but it definitely feels great.

“I’m really hopeful of qualifying for the Challenger Series, which is the next stage up. Fingers crossed we get some pumping waves too.

“In the meantime, I’ll just be surfing around home, doing mock heats with Xav [Xavier Huxtable] and training with Mac Fox and at Kieser.

“It’s a long year, but no slowing down now.”

Wylie’s highest ranking on the Australia/Oceania world qualifying series came in 2021/22 when he finished 25th.

Stay up to date with his progress at worldsurfleague.com/athletes/9680/tully-wylie