Wylie ready to break new ground at Challenger Series

LOCAL Jan Juc surfer Tully Wylie will begin a new chapter of his surfing career this month when he competes in the World Surfing League’s Challenger Series for the first time.

Wylie, also known for his role as president of the Torquay Boardriders Club, will compete in the Challenger Series’ first event at Snapper Rocks for the Gold Coast Pro from April 27 to May 4.

Wylie secured his ticket to the Challenger Series following last month’s Surfest in Newcastle, saying he received the call-up shortly after being eliminated from that event.

“I got knocked from the comp and throughout that day a few others fell out of the draw which was when the regional tour manager called me up and told me I was good to go.

“It was pretty emotional, only because I knew it was getting pretty close and I knew I wasn’t 100 per cent locked into the Challenger Series, but to get the confirmation was pretty special.

“I also had a couple of friends and family up there with me, so it was super cool to share that moment with them.”

Wylie has been riding a big wave of form over the past year, securing a 9th at the Taiwan Open of Surfing, a 2nd at the Nias Pro, and recently earning a Wildcard entry to the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, where he made it through to the Round of 32.

The Challenger Series will take Wylie all over the world where he will compete in events such as the Sydney Surf Pro, Ballito Pro in South Africa, US Open of Surfing, Ericeira Pro in Portugal, and lastly the Saquarema Pro in Brazil.

The ultimate goal for Wylie is to remain inside the top 10 on the ranking leaderboard at the series’ end in October.

If successful, Wylie will be competing in the WSL Championship Tour in 2025.

“It’s super exciting to get up there and give it a crack,” Wylie said.

“Snapper Rocks is such a perfect wave so hopefully we can get some swell up there the rest of the month.

“On the Challenger Series, it’s always been a goal of mine to qualify for it, just to surf at that higher level.

“Coming off the Rip Curl Pro has shown me everything is working and I’m just riding off that momentum at the moment. I can’t wait really.”