How to Experience the Margaret River Pro

03.03.2023

The region is renowned for pumping surf and there’s nothing better than watching the world’s best carve it up.

Recently ranked No.1 best surfer in the world, winner of the 2022 Margaret River Pro event, and local favourite, Jack Robinson, is returning home to defend the title in front of hundreds of home-based fans keen to see if he can go back-to-back.

Joining Robinson are other big-name surfers such as Kelly Slater, John John Florence, and Stephanie Gilmore who all love coming to Margaret River – and it’s not just for the waves. Florence has great memories from the south west, Slater loves the food and wine of the region, and Gilmore loves the region’s natural beauty and how raw and rugged the coastline is. Plus, she loves that she can always find a wave to surf in one of the 75 surf breaks in the region.

The Margaret River Pro, the fifth leg on the 10-stop World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, marks the last stop of the first half on the tour and cuts the field down from 36 men to 24, and the women’s field from 18 to 12. These top-performing surfers will advance to the next stage to compete for the coveted World Title, and will also automatically receive an invite to the 2024 event – so it’s a very high-stakes stage of the tour.

The event will be held at Surfers Point from 20-30 April 2023 and, best of all, you can get a great seat and watch all the action live for free.

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 16, a few days before the Margaret River Pro begins, Main Break will host the Think Mental Health 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 Think Mental Health WA Local 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.”

Southwest locals Jack Robinson and Bronte Macaulay’s CT careers all started via the WA Trials. Last year Margaret River locals Ben Spence and Mia McCarthy won the 2022 WA Trials. “Winning that event allowed them to travel more and compete more gaining experience and opportunity to qualify for the WSL Championship Tour. It’s all part of our pathway to the Pro approach,” Mark said.

Margaret River Pro Crowd at Surfers Point Prevelly

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 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”.

Important Info

Shuttle buses: Will run on the weekends and the ANZAC day public holiday – 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 dog exercise area on surfing competition days. Parking will also be available at McLeods Paddock to catch the shuttle bus to Surfers Point. Surfers Point car park will not be accessible during the event, or for a week before or after.

Bike racks: There will be extra racking for bikes and scooters on site, so consider leaving the car at home all together!

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

Rivermouth Access: Pedestrians will be able to access the Rivermouth at all times during the event. Vehicles can access the Rivermouth Beach carpark using Rivermouth Road on days the competition is not running.

Acessibilitiy: There is designated parking bay for ACROD parking permit holders at the event site.