MEREWETHER clubmates Ryan Callinan and Jackson Baker are set to clash in a round-of-48 heat at Surfest after surviving their opening assignments in home waters on Thursday.
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Callinan, Baker and fellow Novocastrian Morgan Cibilic all won their second-round heats in convincing fashion.
Cibilic opened proceedings with a heat score of 13.40 (6.00 and 7.40), followed by Baker, who posted the second-highest score of the round of 15.93 (7.33 plus 8.60) and then Callinan's 15.10 (6.43 plus 8.67).
Another local, Julian Wilson, went one step further when he won through to the round-of-24 in fine style, scoring 8.00 and 8.83 for a two-wave tally of 16.83 in the opening heat of round three, which was highlighted by a spectacular 360 manoeuvre.
"It's exciting to see the local crew doing well," said Callinan, the world No.14.
"I've been trying to watch all of their heats, which is keeping me busy ... it's great to see them making heats and posting scores."
Callinan said "it felt good to get back in the jersey and surf my first heat of the year" but admitted there was an added sense of expectation whenever he competed at home.
"I feel fortunate to be able to warm up at home, but it does get nerve-racking with all of the support on the beach because you don't want to disappoint," he said.
Callinan and Baker are drawn to meet in the 12th and final heat of round three, along with Americans Nat Young and Crosby Colapinto. Two will progress into the next round.
Callinan said he had been impressed by the rapid rise of Cibilic, who started last year 111th on the second-tier World Qualifying Series and ended up snaring a spot on the the elite 34-man World Championship Tour.
"We've all known how good he is for a long time but now he'll show it on the world stage, which is awesome," Callinan said.
"Jacko [Baker] has been doing the QS for a while now, and I think he is underachieving for how good he is. Hopefully Morgan qualifying gives him a kick up the butt."
Surfest officials will assess conditions at 6.30am before deciding to proceed with the men's or women's heats first.
Newcastle's last remaining hope in the women's event is Philippa Anderson, who is drawn in heat three of the round of 24.
Also on Friday, 17 teams featuring 85 surfers will be aiming to raise $100,000 for the Mark Hughes Foundation at Dixon Park in a charity event. Former Knights Bill Peden, Adam Muir and Craig Smith will represent the MHF in a tag-team event.
