Boomerang Beach grommet Oscar Salt will be looking to capitilise on local knowledge when he takes on some of the World Qualifying Series’ (WQS) best surfers at the upcoming Mothernest Great Lakes Pro.
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The 14-year-old Great Lakes College student was recently awarded a wildcard into the QS1000 event by Surfing NSW and will now match up against one of the top seeds in the round of 96.
“I was pretty stoked,” Oscar said of the moment he found out.
“I’m just going to see what it brings. It's a really good learning experience.”
Coming off a successful 12 months, with the talented natural-footer finishing third overall in the 2018 national Rip Curl Gromsearch finals, Oscar is excited about the year ahead.
But he’ll have his work cut out for him against an older, more experienced field at the Great Lakes Pro.
“The way the draw is looking, there’s a possibility he’ll get drawn against number one seed Matt Banting in his first heat,” father , Adam said.
“Just to get that opportunity is enormous.”
With Banting one of Oscar’s biggest inspirations locally, he’s not putting too much pressure on himself coming into the potential match-up with the former world tour surfer from Port Macquarie.
“He’s one of the best surfers in the world and he grew up around here, so it’s pretty cool to get to surf against someone like that,” he said.
Local brothers Shane and Ross Cadden will also be competing in the men's draw, while Boomerang’s Charlize Everitt was awarded a wildcard into the women’s event.
Asked what it would mean to her to win the Great Lakes Pro, the 14-year-old was unhesitating.
"Everything," she said.
And with a large swell predicted to hit the East Coast at the same time as the event, she believes the conditions could work in her favour.
"I like the bigger stuff."
Mr Salt, who is vice-president of the Boomerang Beach Boardriders, said that having a professional surfing contest at their home break was not only a great opportunity for the local surfers competing, but also those watching on.
“It’s a good thing for the young kids in the area aspiring to that level.”
He also welcomes the possibility of the event being upgraded to a QS3000 in the future, which will attract a higher level of competition.
The Mothernest Great Lakes Pro will run from this Wednesday, February 20 – 24 at Boomerang Beach.
