Reef Heazlewood shocked the surfing scene in his world tour debut two years ago and now he’s eager to “take down some more big names” in his return to the big stage.
The Moffat Beach talent has received an invitation to compete in the Rip Curl Narrabeen in New South Wales, after displaying good form in second-tier events this season.
“I’m stoked (to be invited). I’ve put in the hard work early in the year and it’s paid off and it’s really nice to have this opportunity at such a sick location,” he said.
The 21-year-old received entry into two events in 2019, when he caught the attention of surfing fans around the globe with his acrobatics and flamboyance.
Heazlewood charged through the heats on debut, eliminating Sunshine Coast star Julian Wilson enroute to a ninth placing at the Quiksilver Pro at the Gold Coast. He also finished 13th at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
He’s determined to rattle the cage again, after being called up to replace injured star Kelly Slater.
“Hopefully, I can have another dream run and take down some names,” he said.
“I want to (beat them) and be at least one heat better than I was at the Gold Coast.
“But also, I just want to have fun. That’s the main thing. I want to put on a good show for everyone and provide some good entertainment.”
The goofy footer believes the surf at Narrabeen should provide him with opportunities.
“It’s a pretty good left (hander) and when it’s on there are some good barrels and turn sections, and good airs too.”
World tour organisers offered him an invitation, after noticing his great form during summer.
He claimed four top-five finishes from five events on the second tier Qualifying Series, including victory at the Great Lakes Pro near Forster.
Heazlewood said he’s becoming more tactical and composed during heats.
“I’ve been working on that a lot,” he said.
“I feel like I’ve got my surfing pretty much there, but it’s about making smart decisions in heats under pressure.
“I feel like that’s coming together.
“I went big when I needed to in the QS events.”
But he said there’s a significant difference between QS events and world tour events.
“It’s the calibre of guys.”
“You can’t take any heat for granted. Even if you’re leading with only 30 seconds left in a heat, the other surfers have the skills to get something out of it.
“You can never count them out.
“Italo (Ferreira) and those guys were absolutely tearing at (previous event) Newcastle.”
Ultimately, he wants to be a world tour regular.
“This event is just a taste of what I want all the time,” he said.
He’ll need to earn a berth there, via a new-look qualifying system.
Competitors need to fare well in regional Qualifying Series during the first half of the year to claim spots at the new Challenger Series, to be held in the second half of the year.
The best performers from the CS will nab places on next year’s world tour.
A short video clip with Hurley recently showcased his free-surfing skills.
He enjoyed taking part in shoots on the Gold Coast, Boomerang Beach and Avoca, and is keen to do extended video when time permits.
“It’s been exciting and fun, and it’s been really good to push my surfing and not have to worry about completing anything, and I could just go as big as possible.
“That’s what I want in my surfing, what I want in my competitive surfing, so it was really awesome to do that and practise it as much as possible while filming.”
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Meanwhile, Wilson will also be in action at Narrabeen.
The 32-year-old is a five-time event winner and was the 2018 tour runner-up, behind Brazil’s Gabriel Medina.
Fellow Sunshine Coasters Isabella Nichols and Keely Andrew are set to compete in the women’s world tour event, which runs alongside the men’s one at Narrabeen.
Nichols, in her rookie season, startled at Newcastle recently to finish second there behind reigning world champion Carissa Moore. She beat Andrew in the semi-finals. Andrew is in her fifth season on the circuit, and has two event finals appearances to her name.
The Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic runs from April 16-26. It’s the third stop on this year’s Championship Tour.
