Jan Juc’s Huxtable to surf for Pro spot

ANOTHER Jan Juc local is on the cusp of representing the Surf Coast at this year’s Rip Curl Pro, if he can make it through one last hurdle.

Torquay Boardrider and Open State champion Xavier Huxtable will get the chance to earn his spot at the Rip Curl Pro today at Bells Beach.

Nineteen-year-old Huxtable earned the right to surf at the Rip Curl Pro Trials after being crowned Victorian Open State Champion at the Phillip Island Pro back in February.

“It was pretty awesome when I was told I had secured a spot at the Trials,” Huxtable said.

“There is definitely a little bit of pressure on my mind given what’s at stake, but at the end of the day it’s just like any other comp.

“You always want to win them and if you do, it’s awesome. I’m just going to give everything I can.”

Huxtable is stoked to have the Pro back again after a three-year gap due to COVID-19, given the impact it has had on his life growing up.

“We’re all excited to see everyone head back into town after not having a Pro the last two years and just seeing surf at such a high level again,” Huxtable said.

“It’s so sick, it’s the best time of the year down in Torquay, Jan Juc and the surrounding community as everyone from around the world gets down to watch your home break.

“It doesn’t really get much better than this from a surfing perspective.”

Huxtable, who was a last-second replacement wildcard at the 2019 Rip Curl as a 17-year-old, will have to outperform 15 other surfers vying for the final slot in the 2022 event.