Hometown hope Mikey Clayton-Brown served notice to his fellow competitors following an impressive display in the Gage Roads Port Stephens Pro World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 1000 event on Monday.

The young gun had his hands full in the super clean three-to-four-foot surf at Birubi Beach with a stacked heat against Great Lakes Pro winner Joel Vaughan, runner-up Cooper Davies and Stu Kennedy.

But, they were no match for the Port Stephens local who secured a huge victory and boost of confidence ahead of finals day tomorrow.

“I’m so pumped to get a win out here at home against such a stacked field of amazing surfers,” Clayton-Brown said.

“I really tried to use my local knowledge to pick the best waves out there as it’s quite easy to get lost and find yourself in no man’s land.

“I’m just taking this event heat by heat and hopefully I can make some more heats and do some damage.”

Additionally, Kalani Ball was another beneficiary of the amazing conditions, posting one of the top heat totals of the day highlighted by a 7.55 on his best wave.

He looked in control from the outset, putting numbers on the board early to give himself a solid foundation to build on for the rest of the event.

“I’m feeling pumped to advance through to finals day in what was a great day of competition in some ‘rippable’ waves,” Ball said.

“Finals day (tomorrow) is going to be exciting with so many top talents in the draw.

“I’m hoping I can come away with a solid result and keep building a foundation to qualify for the Challenger Series events that are set to start in May on the Gold Coast.”

Micah Margieson continued his charge towards the finals, progressing through his round of 64 and round of 32 heats in commanding fashion.

The stylish young natural-footer posted solid scores back-to-back to lock in a spot on finals day for the first time in 2022.

In his round of 32 match-up, Margieson progressed behind youngster Lennix Smith who posted a 15.10 two-wave total, the second highest of the event so far.

Other surfers to advance through to the round of 16 included Axel Rose-Curotta (North Steyne), Joel Vaughan (North Shelly) and Reef Heazlewood (Sunshine Coast).

Special mentions also went to Kobi Clements for the highest single wave of the event so far, a nine-point ride, and to Gold Coaster Mitch Parkinson for his 15.50 two-wave total.

Taking advantage of the crisp morning conditions and progressing through to the fourth round of the Port Stephens pro was Torquay surfer Angela Ball.

The classy goofy-footer was patient in her heat and waited for the best waves to come through.

She secured two solid scores and will prepare to meet WSL wildcard Paige Hareb (New Zealand), in-form Brittani Nicholl and fellow Victorian Ellie Harrison tomorrow. 

“I’m really excited to be through to the fourth round here at Birubi, the waves were great today,” Ball said.

“I’m hoping I can continue this form, I’ve really been enjoying my surfing.

“I’ve been having an epic time travelling around with our little Victorian team for this series and am pumped for the rest of the events.” 

Other surfers to watch in the women’s round of 16 include Freya Prumm (Merimbula) and local Philipa Anderson (Merewether) who take to the water against current Australia/Oceania Regional QS rankings leader Nyxie Ryan (Lennox Head).

The Port Stephens Pro is set to resume tomorrow at Birubi Beach for finals day with women’s round four to kick-off proceedings at 7.30am.

Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.