Local surfing stars reflect on Rip Curl Pro

A PAIR of Surf Coast locals are riding a huge wave of confidence following their appearance in this year’s Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.

Xavier Huxtable and Carly Shanahan both won their respective divisions in the Rip Curl Pro Trials to gain a wildcard into the world’s longest running surfing event.

Huxtable rode a huge wave of momentum from the trials into the main draw, firing through his Round 1 heat before dismantling world number one Italo Ferreira in the Round of 32.

He said his win over the Brazilian was the biggest of his career.

“That was crazy. It took a while to sink in. I didn’t know what to think. To know A; they are beatable, and B; to go out and do it, was awesome.

“He’s definitely the one – he’s the man in form and is kind of unbeatable, so it was pretty amazing to go out and beat him.”

Shanahan, who competed in her first Rip Curl Pro, said running down the historic steps at Bells was an incredible experience.

“It was mind-blowing surfing against that calibre of surfers who I’ve looked up to my whole life.

“The nerves and weight of it all got to me a bit in the first heat, but in the second heat.. I got a couple of waves and pushed through it.

“My close friends and my mum coming down to support me kept me grounded, as well as connecting with my breath.”

Both surfers said the support they received from the local community was mind-blowing.

“All the support was massive, and it was so great to see how much everyone got behind the locals,” Huxtable said.

“It felt like the whole town was alive and everyone had your back; what a special feeling.”

Shanahan said the support from the community was amazing.

“The night after I won the trials, Cooper [a friend] had already started preparing T-shirts and hats with ‘Go Carly’ on it.

“Everyone was just as stoked as I was, which was so heartwarming.”

Huxtable said he looked forward to keeping his good form rolling into the World Challenger Series in a month’s time.

“It’s really exciting, and I can’t wait to kickstart that campaign off well at Newcastle on June 2.

“It’s not long now. I’m getting prepared with boards, training, gym and I’ll be ready to go.”

Shanahan said her Rip Curl Pro accomplishment had inspired her to compete a bit more over the next 12 months.

“I want to do a few World Qualifying Series events, and tap into that competitive energy more.

“I hope to go a step further next year and try surf my best in the Bells event as well, provided I can back it up in the trials again.”

Barwon Heads surfer Ellie Harrison also competed in the event, gaining a last-minute wildcard days out from the event.

Harrison made it through to the Round of 16 before being knocked out of competition by Tyler Wright.