Doing the Margaret River Pro: Like a Pro

There are now two locals to cheer for with Jack Robinson qualifying for the Men’s Championship Tour for the first time, joining Bronte Macaulay who has been an inspiring competitor in the Women’s Championship Tour since 2017 when she won WSL Rookie of the Year, her results improving year on year.

Surfers Point is the place to watch all the action as the bulk of the competition takes place on Main Break, South Side and The Box. At the event hub there’ll be big screens showing replays, expert commentary, food trucks, merchandise stands and young hopefuls can get up close and personal with their surfing stars. It’s inspiring to watch the surfers take their time after their heat and chat to groms who line the walkway to collect autographs and selfies.

Surfing WA CEO Mark Lane said Surfers Point is one of the best spectator points on the World Tour. “The viewing at Surfers Point is incredible with tiered areas to create an amphitheatre and the atmosphere is electric during competition and accessible to everyone,” Mark said.

“There will be heaps of food trucks and healthy eats, coffee and a licensed area.”

On April 27, a week before the Margaret River Pro begins, Main Break will host the Drug Aware WA Trials, guaranteeing a place in the Margaret River Pro for a male and female Western Australian surfer to compete alongside the world’s best.

“The guy and girl that make it through the Drug Aware WA Trials and get into the Pro to compete in the main event will ensure they are straight into the prize money rounds. What that does is help them fund their travels to other qualifying events.”

Margaret River local Jacob Wilcox won the Men’s Drug Aware WA Trials in 2019. “Winning the WA Trials allowed Jacob to travel more and compete more and it was only by the narrowest of margins that he missed qualifying for WSL Championship Tour that year. It was agonisingly close,” Mark said.

Returning in 2021 is the Healthy Habitz Youth Festival that includes WA biggest skate competition. Sanctioned by the Australian Skateboard Federation it’s run by the local crew Soggy Bones that has shops in Margaret River and Dunsborough. Healthy Habitz  Youth Festival will be held from May 3-7 (3.30pm – 5.00pm) and there’ll be heaps of free activities at the Margaret River Skate Park including 3 on 3 Basketball competition, and Three Point Frenzy, an 8m climbing wall, rollerskating, indoor art and craft activities, Pimp Your Board spray art and daily DJ’s.

Designed for kids from eight to 17 years old, the Healthy Habitz Youth  Festival is a celebration of youth culture with a focus on healthy risk taking.

Margaret River retailers will also act as surfing hot spots providing up to the hour information and TVs showing the live broadcast in shops, from grocery shops to clothes boutiques.

Sip your way around the Margaret River Region with the official wine partners of the Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro. Cape Mentelle is just a stone’s throw from all the action. Pair a bottle from their well-stocked cellar door with delicious local produce for the perfect picnic. The ideal spot to soak up the views (and vino). Prefer something small-scale? Go behind the scenes and meet the makers at Rosily Vineyard, where tastings are carried out inside their working winery. Or soak up some surf culture at Aravina Estate in Yallingup, home of the WA Surf Gallery.

The WSL Championship Tour attracts the best 34 male (plus 1 WSL and 1 event wild card entry) and the best 17 female surfers (plus 1 wild card entry) in the world to Margaret River each year.

Tip: If you love surfing, then there’s no better surf competition than watching the world’s best take on The Box. If the Box is called “On”, grab your binoculars and head to Surfers Point for the best viewing.

How to Follow the Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro

Every morning the WSL Commissioner decides on the contest based on conditions; this ensures that surfers compete on the best possible waves. Sign up to alerts or download the WSL app to get notified if the Margaret River Pro is called “On”, “Off” or “On Hold”.

• Instagram @wsl
• Twitter @wsl
• Facebook /wsl
• Website worldsurfleague.com

Important Info

Spectators: Due to current COVID restrictions the total number of spectators at the Margaret River Pro event site will be limited. Spectators will be required to check-in using the Safe WA App before entering the venue.

Message Boards: There will be visual message boards on Wallcliffe Road near the Margaret River Skate Park and near the Margaret River Golf Club. These will provide information regarding if the site is at capacity. If this is the case please consider watching the event online.

Shuttle buses: Will only run on the weekends – leaving from near the Margaret River Golf Club to Surfers Point. Buses will run from 8am to 4pm daily depending on how the competition is running. There is no time schedule for buses as they are on a rotation all day.

Parking: Will be available at Riflebutts during the weekdays. Parking will also be available at McLeods Paddock to catch the shuttle bus to Surfers Point.

Dogs: There will be NO DOGS allowed at the Event site.