Novocastrian Jackson Baker makes history at Surfest

Merewether’s Jackson Baker made history at Surfest on the weekend becoming the first Novocastrian man to win the City of Newcastle Pro.

Surfest organisers had to cram two days of competition into one yesterday after three days of chaotic conditions on the waves forced competition to be put on hold.

Baker, the 2022 Championship Tour Rookie surfed with incredible confidence throughout the heats consistently posting high scores.

The Final was his best though posting the highest two-wave total of the entire event, 15.50 out of a possible 20 to claim the biggest victory of his career.

He told World Surf League it’s an amazing feeling. 

“To win this event on home turf and be able to dedicate it to my mum and repay the people who put this thing on every year feels amazing,”

“This win means so much to me, my family and my community so I couldn’t be happier.”

Fellow Merewether surfer Ryan Callinan was the runner-up.

In the Women’s Pro Avoca’s Macy Callaghan came out on top and South Africa’s Sarah Baum, who resides in Newcastle, came in second place. 

Callaghan will be off to the Challenger Series as the regional top seed after her win at Newcastle as she looks to re-qualify for the dream tour. Sarah made it through to the Challenger Series as well. 

Image credit: WSL/Gary Luke 

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