Professional surfing is high on the list of most-competitive sports in the world, Port Macquarie's Kayle Enfield says he has what it takes to carve out a career.
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The 15-year-old Hastings Secondary College student said the next two years of surfing will be his most important chance to access larger competitions and make a name for himself in the water.
"I've been training hard and enjoying surfing just having fun," he said.
"In the next year and the year after, I'll be at an age where people take on the bigger competitions and take the next step. In terms of getting through to the top surfers, the next couple of years are quite important.
"It's a time when you're always improving and learning. I've got a couple of mates and a good group of people who will help me with that.
"I definitely feel that my surfing has taken that next level. I just have to continue improving and consolidating on that.
"Professional surfing is a drawcard for me because you get to travel the world, meet good people, surf awesome waves. I definitely think it's a lifestyle choice and that definitely appeals to me."
Kayle has previously made the quarterfinal of the NSW State Surfing Titles in July 2019, helped Team NSW to a third place in the Australian Junior Surfing Titles in 2018, competed in the North Coast Combined High Schools event and All-Schools Junior State Titles in 2018.
"2019 was the year I took off to get better and get better with my surfing. In the State Titles last year I went well there making the quarterfinals and was hoping to repeat it this year," he said.
"So far I've enjoyed surfing on rail in Port Macquarie but I definitely think I'll need to add more tricks and air maneuvers to improve to a competitive level.
"Being really competitive in the water is something I've also struggled with. That hunger and being ruthless in competition is something I will need to improve."
Kayle works as a surf instructor and practises his surfing around five times a week. He said the surfing scene is changing in Port Macquarie due to coronavirus restrictions introduced earlier this year.
"There seems to be a lot more people out on the water this year. People are starting to learn to surf and realise how amazing it is," he said.
"That's a really good way to build a bigger community of surfers and become one network. It's definitely increased or maybe doubled the number of surfers in Port Macquarie I'd say."
Enfield was among a dozen Port Macquarie and Lake Cathie junior surfers to take on the NSW Junior Titles held in Coffs Harbour from August 5 to 12
He registered a 12.46 in round one, heat 14 of the under-18 boys before following it up with a 10.03 in round three, heat 11.
"I was pretty disappointed really. I had a good first heat but just couldn't get the right waves in heat three," he said.
"It kind of went a bit weird and clunky but I still got a few waves and had fun. That's competition really because everyone there wants to win but there's only one winner at the end.
"All the other surf meets have been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus so everyone was eager to get this one. It's a shame I wasn't able to capitalise."
Kayle also competed in the Under-19 NSW Schools Titles during the final day of the NSW Junior Titles on August 11 and 12.
Enfield registered a 9.83 in heat four of the quarterfinal, but need 7.85 to continue
Byron Stapleton from Kincumber High School took top honours in the Under-19 Boys NSW Schools Titles, while Cedar Leigh-Jones from Barrenjoey High claimed victory in the Under-19 Girls
Official placings for the NSW Schools Titles were Byron Stapleton, Saxon Reber, Jarvis Earle and Sunny Whitby-Otto in the under 19s boys.
Cedar Leigh-Jones, Amelie Bourke, Kyla Whitfield and Lily Macdonald for the under 19s girls.
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